Title: The Proceedings of the Old Bailey : Ref Number: t18240603-102
Date: 3 June 1824
Place: London

HENRY STEVENS was indicted for stealing, on the 12th of May, a parcel, containing two rings, value 50 s.; a book, value 20 s.; a shift, value 10 s.; a bed-gown, value 4 s.; a petticoat, value 1 s., and a frill, value 3 s., the goods of Hannah Margaret Elbon, from the person of Henry Schooling.

HENRY SCHOOLING.   I am fourteen years of age , and live with my uncle Bryant. On the 12th of May my master gave me a parcel to take to Miss Elbon, No. 5, Park-street, Grosvenor-square. I was inquiring my way at the corner of Duke-street , and the prisoner came to me and said, "You are going to Miss Elbon's, are you?" I said Yes. I had the parcel in my hand. I don't know what was in it. It had a direction on it, which he could have seen, as it was outside. He said, "You young dog you have been stopping by the way; you ought to have been here an hour ago; Miss Elbon says you must give it to me." I said "I can't; I am to go with this and bring another back." He said, Miss Elbon said he should bring that to my master. I gave him the parcel and watched him, and he did not go to the place, but went down North Audley-street, and up the Mews. I followed him, and he began to run. I ran after him, and cried Stop thief! I had lost sight of him when he turned the corners, but not for more than two minutes. When he was stopped he had not got the parcel. I don't know what became of it; I have not seen it since. He was taken to Mount-street watch-house. I charged him with taking the parcel; I know that it was directed to Miss Elbon.

Prisoner. Q.   Am I the person who came up to you -

A.   Yes; you are the person who came up to me as soon I had inquired the way.

HANNAH MARGARET ELBON.   I live at No. 5, Park-street, Grosvenor-square. I am single. I expected to receive a parcel, containing the articles stated in the indictment, from my mother. It was to come from Mr. Bryant's, by the hands of this lad - I never received it. The prisoner is a perfect stranger to me.

SARAH ELBON.   I live in Foster-lane, Cheapside. On Wednesday, the 12th of May, I gave this parcel to Mr. Bryant, who sent it by his lad to my daughter - he was to bring another back. It was directed to Miss Elbon, and contained the articles enumerated in the indictment. I have not seen them since. I know nothing of the prisoner.

HENRY PLUCK.   I am a cooper, and work for Mr. Minton, Shepherd's-court, Upper Brook-street. On the 12th of May I saw the prisoner running, and heard a cry of Stop thief! He appeared to be the person running from that cry - he was not far from me, and I stopped him, and Schooling came up. He had no parcel with him, and said he had not got it.

ROBERT TURNER.   I am an officer. I received him in charge at the watch-house. Schooling accused him of taking a parcel from him - he denied it, but the boy spoke positively. I searched him, and found a crow-bar up his sleeve - he was in the act of concealing it - one end was in his hand, the other up his sleeve.

Prisoner's Defence.   I never saw the parcel.

GUILTY.   Aged 21. Transported for Seven Years .

I have not been able to identify this Henry Pluck.