715. WILLIAM PRECIOUS proceedingsdefend was indicted for stealing, on the 16th of October , one loin of mutton, value 1 s. and one loin of lamb, value 6 d. and a linen cloth, value 2 d. the property of Simon Hawkins proceedingsvictim .

LEAH HAWKINS < no role > sworn.

I am the wife of Simon Hawkins < no role > : he is a butcher : I lost the things in the indictment from the shop in the market: the last time I saw them was on Friday night: they were hung on hooks in the shop: the cloth was on a table: I did not see him take them: I saw them in Waghorn's shop on the Saturday morning.

THOMAS WAGHORN < no role > sworn.

On the 16th of this month I attended the slaughter-house to kill some sheep: having more room than I want, I accommodate my neighbours with the same: I observed a long basket: on examining it I found the things mentioned in the indictment: they were covered over with hay: I took them to my shop to enquire for the owner: Mrs. Hawkins came to my shop, and claimed it as her property: the cloth is here: the lord mayor ordered the meat to be disposed of: I went down to the slaughter-house: I there saw the prisoner: he asked me if I had found any meat: I said, I had: he said it was his: I told him it was at my shop; he then ran to my shop, and came back, and begged, for God's sake, I would interfere for him with his master, it being his first offence: his master is Simon Hawkins < no role > : I went to his master, who was much angered, and charged a constable with him.

Mrs. Hawkins. It was on a Saturday morning: I went to Mr. Waghorn's shop, and saw the meat: I could positively swear to the meat, having taken it in and out for some days: (The cloth produced.) I know the cloth by an eyelet hole: I always make it in my cloths when new: I always cut a piece out at the corner for that purpose.

Prisoner. I am innocent.

The prisoner called two witnesses, who gave him a good character.

NOT GUILTY .

Tried by the London Jury before Mr. RECORDER.