1830 : Julia Pluckrose is paid with a Counterfeit Shilling

Title: The Proceedings of the Old Bailey : Ref Number: t18480103-539
Date: 3 January 1848
Place: London


John Avey, unlawfully uttering counterfeit coin.

MESSRS. CLERK and ROBINSON conducted the Prosecution.

CHARLES CROSS.   I am a licensed victualler, in the Lower-road, Deptford. On 17th Dec. the prisoner came to my house, between twelve and one o'clock—he had 1 1/2 d. worth of gin—he gave me a counterfeit shilling—I saw it on the counter, and said it was bad—he instantly chucked down a good one, and said he was not aware of it—I took up the bad one and kept it in my hand—he said he took it in the Borough-market; that he was a poor man, and if I would give it him back he would be much obliged to me—he went away—I put it on a back shelf, behind the casks—it remained there till between four and five in the afternoon—I then marked it with a bradawl and gave it to West.

JULIA PLUCKROSE.   I am the wife of Henry Pluckrose, of the Borough-road. Between two and three o'clock in the afternoon, on 17th Dec., the prisoner came to our shop for 3d. worth of liver—he gave me a shilling; I gave him two 4d. pieces and a penny—I put the shilling in my pocket—I had only a Victoria shilling there beside—West came in directly after—in consequence of what he said I took the shilling out of my pocket, marked it, and gave it him—I am confident the shilling I gave him was the one the prisoner gave me, it was a George the Third shilling, and was very smooth—I had noticed it before I put it into my pocket—this is it.

Prisoner. Q.   Did you not pull out of your pocket a handful of silver?

A.   No I had a half-crown, two 4d. pieces, and a Victoria shilling—there was not three or four shillings and several sixpences.

PHŒBE BENSON.   My father is a corn-chandler, in Bridge-road, Southwark. On the evening of 17th Dec. the prisoner came for half a pint of oatmeal—it came to 1d.—he gave me a shilling—West came in and said it was bad—I looked at it, gave it to him, and he took the prisoner.

THOMAS WEST (policeman, M 249.)   On 17th Dec. I saw the prisoner in the Borough-road—I saw him again in the evening, and followed him into Mr. Benson's—I saw him place something on the counter—I told Miss Benson to take notice of it—she examined it, and said it was a counterfeit shilling—she bit it, and gave it to me—this is it—I took the prisoner, and found on him a good shilling, a penny, and a farthing—I received this other shilling from Mr. Cross that evening.

Prisoner. Q.   Where was I when you first saw me?

A.   In Grange-road, Bermondsey—it was between two and three o'clock—you were with another man—I followed you to Kent-street, and there lost you.

CALEB EDWARD POWELL.   I am inspector of coin to the Mint. These three shillings are all counterfeit, and cast in one mould.

Prisoner's Defence.   I changed a sovereign the night before in Ratcliff highway, at the William the Fourth; I had been drinking all the morning; I did not know the money was bad; I changed half-a-crown the same night, for some oysters, in the Borough-market; I work very hard for my living; I worked last for Mr. Jefferson.

GUILTY.   Aged 26.— Confined Twelve Months.

Julia Pluckrose, nee Shepstone, PL2627, was the second of the five wives of Henry Pluckrose, PL2625 in Tree1010.

 

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