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John Evans , William Holt , theft: animal theft, 24 Oct 1753.The Proceedings of the Old Bailey Ref: t17531024-3 |
Trial Summary:
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Original Text:441, 442. (M) John Evans and William Holt , were indicted for stealing two ducks, value 2 s. and one turkey, val. 3 s. the property of George Shakespear . Sept. 16. George Shakespear. I live at Knights bridge, I lost the two ducks and turkey mentioned from out of my ground, and they were found upon the prisoner Holt. Robert Spike . I am gardener to the duke of Rutland, at his house at Knights bridge, on the 17th of September one John Levit informed me there were three men stealing Mr. Shakespear's sowls in a field next to ours, I took a gun and we pursued and took the two prisoners, Holt had two ducks and a turkey in his pocket, which Mr. Shakespear own'd. John Levit . I work under the last witness at the duke of Rutland's; on the 17th of Sept. about noon, I heard a turkey cry out in the prosecutor's grounds, I went to see, and heard some people whisper, I imagined it to be some of Mr. Shakespear's people, so I went to my work again; then I saw a man stand upon a mount in that field, I looked hard at him, and he seem'd in a surprize; then I saw Holt look up at me, but the other man gave him a signal not to come in sight yet. Then I went and call'd the other witness, and we pursued, there were three men of them, they all ran together, he that stood on the watch got away, I saw something hang from him like a turkey. The prosecutor lost two turkeys, but did not lay the other in the indictment. We took Holt in a ditch, and Evans surrendered. Holt had the two ducks and turkey about him. Evan's Defence. I was only walking along the fields, and did not know what the men were upon, nor was in their company, I had no hand in it, the people call'd to me and I surrendered. Holt's Defence. I did not take the fowls, they were given to me by the other man that ran away, whose name is John Lomax . Evans Acquitted. Holt Guilty. |
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