Extract from The Proceedings of the Old Bailey, London's Central Criminal Court, 1674 to 1913
JOSEPH JAY, Theft > grand larceny, 1st July 1801.
Reference Number: t18010701-59
Offence: Theft > grand larceny
Verdict: Guilty
Punishment: No Punishment > sentence respited
590. JOSEPH JAY was indicted for feloniously stealing, on the 21st of June, a watch, value 20s. a watch-chain, value 20s. and a watch-key, value 1d. the property of Thomas Hinton.
THOMAS HINTON sworn. – I am a greengrocer, in Little Moorfields; the prisoner is a lad that I employ to run of errands: On Monday morning, the 23d of June, the boy came as usual, about six o'clock, but did not come to market; I came home about seven o'clock and could not hear of him; about seven o'clock in the evening of the same day, an officer came to me from Barking, in Essex, and asked if we knew any thing about a watch; I then missed the watch, it hung in the back-room, where we sat, it had a chain and a key belonging to it.
Q.Are you sure your house is in the city of London? – A. Yes; I was ordered to attend at the Justice's the next morning, Tuesday, and there I saw the prisoner and the watch; Pearson the constable has the watch.
JOHN SACKETT sworn. – I am bailiff to the sheriff of Essex; I was going down the road between Ilford and Rumford, and saw the prisoner upon his knees, looking at a watch; I asked him what he had there, he said, a watch that he had found in the bridge, near Ilford; I then asked him what he would have for it, his answer was, what will you give me for it; I asked him then to let me look at the watch; when I had got it in my possession, I said, my lad, I am afraid you came dishonestly by this; he said, no, indeed, he found it upon the bridge, beyond Ilford; I then sent for a constable, and gave charge of him; I took the watch before the Magistrate, at Barking, and then delivered it to the constable.
THOMAS PEARSON sworn. – I am constable of Ilford; I received this watch from Sackett. (Produces it.)
Sackett. This is the same watch.
Hinton. This is my watch, there is my wife's name on the front of it.
The prisoner did not say any thing in his defence.
Prosecutor. The boy had been with me five weeks; I had trusted him to serve in the shop, he has taken a great deal of money for me, and I always found him honest.
GUILTY, aged 13. – Judgment respited.
London Jury, before Mr. Recorder.