Person Page - 449

Extract from The Proceedings of the Old Bailey, London's Central Criminal Court, 1674 to 1913

RICHARD WYBURGH, CATHERINE CRONIN, Violent Theft > robbery, 15th August 1864.
Reference Number: t18640815-827
Offence: Violent Theft > robbery
Verdict: Guilty > other
Punishment: Imprisonment > penal servitude

827. RICHARD WYBURGH (32), and CATHERINE CRONIN (33), Robbery, with violence, on Edward John Sackett, and stealing 1 watch, 1 chain, 1 pin, and 13s. his property.

MR. KEMP conducted the Prosecution and MR. DALEY defended Wyburgh.

EDWARD JOHN SACKETT. I am a leather shaver, at 2, Elizabeth-terrace, Bermondsey—about 1 o'clock on the morning of 29th July I was returning home and I met Cronin, in Tooley-street—she spoke to me and continued walking by my side for some time—I noticed two men following us, the male prisoner is one of them—when we got to the railway a man came behind me, put his arm under my neck and said, "Do it Dick"—Wyburgh took my pin, my handkerchief, half a sovereign, and half a crown, and then they all ran off together—in the scuffle my hat fell off, and as they were running away I said, "You might as well have left me my hat"—the prisoner came back and gave me my hat, and then walked down into Russell-street with me, till we met a policeman, and I gave him in charge—he did not try to run away—I did not collar him till I saw a policeman—to the best of my belief the female prisoner is the woman I saw on that night—I was talking to her perhaps half an hour altogether—I was walking with the man about five or six minutes.

Cross-examined. Q. You had been at a boat race, I believe? A. Yes; at Horsleydown, with two friends—I went there about 5 in the evening—it lasted about an hour—I parted with my friends at their homes—one of them lives at the Victoria, Rotherhithe New-road—I went in there with him and had a glass of ale, and the other friend returned to Bermondsey with me—I had nothing to drink at the boat race—we got to the Victoria about 8—we rode there in a cab from the boat race, which is about two miles—we did not leave directly the race was over—it may have been 7 when we got to the Victoria—I then went back in the cab to Bermondsey with the other friend, and was with him about three hours—we had some ale during that time, and I think we had one glass of gin—it might have been 11 when I left him—he lived about a quarter of a mile from where I was attacked—I did not go straight home after I left my friend—I had no idea in my mind where I was going—I went to the King of Prussia public-house, in Tooley-street, and had a glass there—I remained there perhaps half an hour, and was going back again towards home, when this woman accosted me—she followed me—I did not know the prisoner was one of the men when the two men were following me—it was from what I afterwards saw.

MR. KEMP. Q. Were you sober? A. Yes.

Cronin. Q. What did I have on, a bonnet or shawl? A. No bonnet, a shawl.

COURT. Q. Have you any doubt about her at all? A. No.

JOHN CARTER (Policeman, M 190). The male prisoner was given into my custody by the last witness, last Friday fortnight at half-past 1 in the morning—he had hold of his collar with one hand, and he had his watch in the other—he gave him into custody for attempting to steal his watch and chain—a portion of the chain was taken away—he also said he had been robbed of some money and a pin—the prisoner said it was false—I know both the prisoners by sight—I have frequently seen them in company together.

Cross-examined. Q. Do you say you have constantly seen them together? A. Many times at Dockhead, Kent-street, and different places round there—the watch is here (produced). it was in the prosecutor's hand when I saw it.

Cronin. Q. Did you see me that night? A. Yes; about three minutes previous to my taking Wyburgh into custody.

EDWARD JOHN SACKETT (re-examined). This is my watch.

The prisoner's statements before the Magistrate:—Wyburgh says, "I know nothing of the robbery—he asked me to give him his hat, and I picked it up and gave it him." Cronin says, "I went to the station and gave information against Catherine Sheen and John Brown as being the parties. I was at home in bed, and know nothing about it."

Cronin's Defence. I am quite innocent of the robbery. I was in bed at 9 on that night.

GUILTY.

WYBURGH was further charged with having been before convicted of felony at Newington in January 1860, to which he PLEADED GUILTY**.—Ten Years' Penal Servitude. CRONIN**.—Five Years' Penal Servitude.