437. THOMAS RAVEN proceedingsdefend was indicted for feloniously stealing, on the 11th of May , six silver desert spoons, value 30s. and six tea spoons, value 18s. the property of Abbot Green proceedingsvictim and John Ward proceedingsvictim , in the dwelling-house of John Ward < no role > .

BENSON TRINDER < no role > sworn.

I am a pawnbroker, I live at No. 32, St. Martin's-lane: On the 11th of May, in the evening, between six and eight, the prisoner at the bar, who called himself John Clark < no role > , offered me these six silver desert spoons to pledge, and said they were his own property; that he lived at No.20, in the Strand, on this side of the way; I knowing the numbers to run the reverse side, it gave me room to suspect their being his property; I asked him again, and he said they were his own; that he lived at a stationer's; I asked him if he would let me go with him to enquire; he hesitated, and said he would tell me the truth; he said he lived with Hoare and Jones, druggists, in Gracechurch-street; still insisting they were his own, which gave me stronger reason to think they were not so; he then offered me this watch and seal, and desired I would give him the spoons back; he offered to give it me in lieu of the spoons, as a pledge; I told him I should not deliver either of them back till I was further satisfied; he then hurried out of the shop, and ran up Tyler's Buildings; I immediately pursued him up the buildings, seized him by the collar, and brought him back into the shop; I sent for a constable, and gave charge of him.

Q. What is the value of the spoons? - A. About 35s. or 36s.

ABBOT GREEN < no role > sworn.

I live at Ludgate-hill , my partner is John Ward < no role > .

Q. You dwell in that house as well as John Ward? - A. Only John Ward; a constable came to me the 11th of May, and said he came from Bow-street; the prisoner was there, he was my servant . I went into the cellar and searched his box, and found six silver tea spoons, I believe they were the property of me and Mr. Ward; he had just been cleaning a part of the shop where these spoonswere, (the desert spoons produced); I believe them to be our property, but there is no mark.

Cross-examined by Mr. Knowlys. Q. You had this servant from Mr. Darnell's service? - A. Yes.

Q. And had a very excellent character of him? - A. Yes.

Q. (To Trinder). Did he say any thing more where he got the spoons? - A. Yes; when I sent for the constable, he confessed they were his masters property, Messrs. Green and Ward.

GEORGE DONALDSON < no role > sworn.

I am a constable; I have some silver spoons I found at Messrs. Green and Ward's, Ludgate-hill, the same evening I took the prisoner, they were found in his box, (produces them).

Mr. Green. Upon two of them there are some marks, by which I know them to be my property, they are worth about 9s.(The prisoner left his defence to his Council.)

Mr. Knowlys. (To Green). Q. He has bore a good character since he has been with you? - A. Yes; I have put confidence in him till this time, and I apprehend he has done it in consequence of a charge from the parish.

- MERSER sworn.

I live at the lower part of Rotherhithe, upon my fortune; the prisoner was in my service three quarters of a year, I have entrusted him with two or three hundred pounds, I would trust him again; I want a servant, and I would take him at this time.(He was recommended to mercy by the Jury.)

GUILTY of stealing to the value of 39s.

Fined 1s. and discharged.

Tried by the London Jury, before Mr. Justice LAWRENCE.