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William Stannynought , Robert Warren , theft: simple grand larceny, 17 Oct 1764.The Proceedings of the Old Bailey Ref: t17641017-13 |
Trial Summary:
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Original Text:558, 559. (L.) William Stannynought and Robert Warren were indicted for stealing 20 lb. weight of sugar, value 5 s. the property of persons unknown, October 4. ++ Robert Squires . I am a gang's-man, at Buttle-wharf; Stannynought is a cooper: he was seen to go out of the buildings on the 4th of October, between three and four o'clock in the afternoon, with a large board of sugar drawn in samples; we followed him; he went in at the King's-head, in Love-lane; there we saw him and Warren part the sugar through the window: Warren had his share in a handkerchief: when we went in, he put his down the vault, and would have forced by us. When he could not, he went down on his knees, and said, he had never been guilty of the like before: here is a letter they sent by a girl; I know it to be Warren's hand writing. It is read; directed to James and Squires, ascribing what they did to drunkenness, and begging mercy. John James , a gang's-man on the same wharf, being with Squires, gave the same evidence. Stannynought's share of the sugar was produced in court, and upon inspecting it, it appeared to be all of one sort. Stannynought's Defence. I was going along the key, and went into this house, and to the necessary to ease myself; there was Warren; I staid till he came out; I turned myself round, and there lay a parcel of sugar: just as he came out, Mr. Squires and Mr. James came in upon us, and said, What, have we catched you? we said, in what? in taking sugar, they said. I said, the sugar does not belong to me; I know nothing of it: they sent for a constable, and took us away: I know no more of it, than the child unborn. Warren's Defence. I being in the necessary before him, he waited my coming out: this sugar lay in the same place; we both wondered who it belonged to. I am willing to suffer the law, if they can swear I brought any sugar out of the buildings: he says I threw my share into the vault; it is no such thing. Q. to Squires. Did you see Warren, at the time you saw Stannynought carrying a board of sugar? Squires. No, I did not. Stannynought called John Shakespear , William Hatt , John Welch , Charles Driver , Winifred Thomas , Patrick Comings , Jane Eyre , Lucy Webb , and George Comberlidge , who gave him the character of an honest man. Warren called James Coombs , Dennis Noland , David Little , John Fullerton , Edward Kelley , and Elizabeth Welch , who gave him the same character. Both Acquitted. |
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