THOMAS WATTS, theft: simple grand larceny, 18 Feb 1775.

The Proceedings of the Old Bailey Ref: t17750218-10

Trial Summary:

• Crime(s): theft : simple grand larceny
• Punishment Type: transportation
  (Punishment details may be provided at the end of the trial.)
• Verdict: Guilty

Original Text:

186. (L.) THOMAS WATTS was indicted for stealing a cheese, 10 lb. weight, value three shillings, the property of William Buckland ++.

William Buckland. I am a cheesemonger in Thames-street, I was in the counting-house; the prisoner was brought in by some people, who asked me if I had lost a cheese; there was one missing from just within the shop door.

Francis Shakespear. I saw the watchman stop the prisoner, and saw him drop the cheese, he said, he found it, and if I would go with him, he would show me the place where he found it; he took me to the prosecutor's, he laid it down at the door, and said, he found it there:

John Hornblower, servant to the prosecutor, deposed that the cheese was Mr. Buckland's property, and had the witnesses private mark upon it, and that the prisoner had a short time before been in the shop and bought a pennyworth of cheese which he was eating when he was taken.

Prisoner's Defence.

I picked it up in Thames-street, three or four yards from the cheesemonger's door.

Guilty.

Transportation.