Old Bailey Proceedings
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952. WILLIAM WALKER was indicted for feloniously breaking and entering the dwelling-house of Edward Spivey , about seven o'clock in the evening of the 2d of June ( Hannah Brown being therein), and stealing therein three coats, value 5 l.; three waistcoats, value 1 l.; one pair of pantaloons, value 1 l., and one watch, value 2 l. ; his property.
FRANCES SPIVEY . I am the wife of Edward Spivey , we live in Peter-street, Westminster. On the 2d of June I went out at seven o'clock in the evening, leaving my lodger, Hannah Brown , in the house - I had fastened it up. I returned about twenty minutes after eight o'clock, found the door open, the key in it, and missed the articles stated in the indictment.
SARAH BLACKBURN . I live opposite to the prosecutrix. I saw her go out about half-past seven o'clock, I then went and looked out of my first-floor window, heard her door open, and saw a man come out with a bundle in his hand - the knot slipped at one corner, and the clothes fell out - he ran away down Perkins's-rents. I believe the prisoner to be the man. I pointed him out about a week afterwards.
Cross-examined by MR. BROADRICK. Q. Do you doubt his being the man - A. I have since seen a man in Oxford-street so much like him, that I thought the prisoner was liberated; I followed him to be certain, and then found it was a mistake. I saw the prisoner at a public-house next day, and said he was the man.
JAMES GILLMORE . I am an officer of Queen-square. On the 2d of June I was applied to about the robbery, and went to No. 5, Stretton-place, and enquired for a hackney coachman, but was told none lived there. Next day, I met the prisoner in Tothil-street; he asked me what I was doing at his lodgings the night before? I told him I had a charge of felony against him. I took him to the public-house, and told him to go into the parlour alone (the prosecutrix and Blackburn were there), and if nobody there knew him he should be let free. He went in and came out - Blackburn immediately said he was the man - she identified him twice before the magistrate. I could not find her at the third examination.
ANN BRAIN . I live five doors from the prosecutrix. About seven o'clock in the evening of the 2d of June I saw a man like the prisoner standing before my door - I believe he is the man.
HANNAH BROWN . I live at Mrs. Spivey's. I received information, went down Perkins'-rents, and saw the prisoner standing with two other young men. He asked me what I was running for? I said I was looking for a man who had robbed Mrs. Spivey - a woman stood near him with a bundle.
Prisoner's Defence. I know nothing about it.
NOT GUILTY .
First Middlesex Jury, before Mr. Justice Burrough.