Cambridge Independent Press 26 Mar 1864: Ann Coleman's purse stolen
TWO ARTFUL THIEVES. — James Rook (21), who, judging from appearances, had recently undergone what is called the “country crop,” and Thomas Finning (16), who, it is believed, absconded from the Reformatory at Brook Green, Hammersmith, were charged with stealing a purse, containing two half-crowns and sixpence, from the person of an old lady, named Ann Coleman, living at Trumpington. The prosecutrix gave her plain version of what occurred. She stated that on Friday afternoon, about half-past five o’clock, she was coming to Cambridge. She was carrying a bundle, which contained a loaf of bread. “Do you know, said the old lady, it was home-baked, for I like home-baked the best,” (laughter). When she got just past the Leys she met the prisoners, when the elder one (Rook) came up to her, and asked her if she knew whether a Mr. Jackson, a gardener, lived about there? She said “No.” Rook kept her engaged in conversation as to some gardener of that name living in the neighbourhood, and while she was thus engaged the younger prisoner, she supposed, picked her pocket of the purse, containing 5s. 6d. After she had parted with them she noticed a piece of paper hanging out of her pocket, and upon turning round noticed the younger prisoner pass something to the elder. She found she had lost her purse, and said to herself “Good lork! I have lost my money, what shall I do?” She ran as fast as she could, for an old woman like her, after the prisoners, and called for help. She went up to a little boy, and told him he had robbed her of 5s. 6d. He said he had not. She then saw the handkerchief in which the purse was wrapped, and pulled it out of his pocket. The elder prisoner then gave her 2s. 6d., which he said he found on the path, and the younger 6d., stating that was all the money he had. The elder prisoner also said he picked up the purse. She then accused them of the robbery. — John Marsh, painter, King-street, stated that he was on the Trumpington-road on Friday afternoon, about a quarter before six. Saw the eldest one lift up his hat and take something from under it, and put it into his pocket. He then pretended to have found the purse, by picking it off the ground, when the witness said to him, “You villain you; that is the purse you had just now in your hand.” That was after he held up the purse to the old lady, saying “Here is your purse.” Witness felt certain that the purse had been in the prisoner’s hand the whole of the time. —They told the Bench that they came into the town on the day previous, from Royston. In order that some further inquiries might be made about their antecedents, they were remanded till Thursday.