Notes for: Albert Rayner
Not found after 1891. Left his wife in 1897; see notes for her about the family tragedy.
Cambridge Chronicle 6 Jul 1888:
MISLEADING A YOUNGER BROTHER. - A young man named John Bailey, of Trumpington, and his brother, Sidney Bailey, a boy of ten years of age, were charged with stealing a half-sovereign, the property of Albert Rayner, on the 23rd of June. Albert Rayner, baker, of Trumpington, stated that, on the 23rd of June, he left his waistcoat in his bakehouse with a watch and three half-sovereigns in the pockets. On Monday, the 25th of June, he missed one of the half-sovereigns. On Monday afternoon, he saw the younger defendant and said to him "Your sister has been down here, and says you have got half-a-crown in your box; how did you come by it?" The defendant answered "My sisters do tell lies; I have not got a half-crown." On Tuesday, witness took the boy to a police officer, at Trumpington and the constable asked him what he knew about the money. The defendant replied that he knew nothing about it, and, in answer to P.c. Giles, he further stated that he knew his brother Jack had not had it. After some further conversation, the boy said that his brother Jack found out where the money was, on the Saturday, and then told him to go and "nick" one of the half-sovereigns. The boy further stated that he gave two shillings to his father, one to his mother and six to his brother, he bought a quarter of a pound of cheese and had some coppers for himself, and his brother promised to give him some more of the money. Susanna Moss, of Trumpington, said that on the 23rd ult., at about six o'clock in the evening, the younger prisoner went into her shop, and asked her to give his father change for half-a-sovereign, and she gave the boy the change he asked for. P.c. Giles said the evidence of the complainant as to the conversation which took place in his house was correct, and, further, stated that, in consequence of what transpired at that time, and of other information, he went in search of the elder defendant, whom he found at the "Coach and Horses," Trumpington. He took the defendant into his father's house, where the younger boy again said that John told him to get the money, and showed him how to slip the catch of the case which had contained it. Mr. Bailey asked the younger defendant what he did with the money, and he replied, "I gave you a shilling, mother a shilling; 10 1/2d I laid out for cheese, vinegar and other things, and I spent the rest of the money except 6s. When I went upstairs on Saturday night, Jack was there, and when he heard me 'jink' the money, he asked me what I had got. I told him I had got the rest of the half-sovereign. He asked me for the money, and I gave him it." The elder prisoner then said his brother had told him that he got the six shillings as payment for holding a horse for somebody, and he spent the money on Monday. Both prisoners elected to be dealt with summarily. The elder prisoner denied that he knew anything about the money being stolen. He further alleged that his brother told him that he had found the six shillings which he gave him, and said he would not have taken the money had he known that it had been stolen. Sidney Bailey pleaded guilty, and said his brother told him to take the money, and explained to him the way in which the case could be opened. He took the money, and changed it; he gave his father and mother each a shilling, he bought some cheese, vinegar, and beer, spent about sixpence besides, and gave the remainder of the money to his brother. On Monday, his brother told him to get another half sovereign, which he refused to do, whereupon his brother said "You little fool, you might as well get another 'half-a-quid' out of him, and it there are two in, have both". After a short consultation, the CHAIRMAN, addressing the elder prisoner, said it was a very lamentable case, both for himself and his parents, for it was clear his father and mother knew what was going on, and he (prisoner), an elder brother, had misled a little brother of ten years old. Of course, his brother was under his influence, and took the money when he was told to do so, and it was not surprising that the boy gave it to him. The elder prisoner would have to go to prison for six weeks. Addressing the younger prisoner, he said he need not have taken the money, though his brother persuaded him to do so. The Magistrates, however, did not wish to brand him as a convict, so they would let him off this time, and he (the Chairman) hoped this position at that moment would be a warning to him for the rest of his life.
Cambridge Independent Press 6 Jul 1888:
ON THE DOWNWARD PATH.
John Vivash Bailey (18), described as a barman, and Sidney William Bailey (10), his younger brother, both of whom reside at Trumpington, were charged with stealing a half-sovereign, belonging to Albert Rayner, on June 23rd. - Albert Rayner, baker, residing at Trumpington, said the younger defendant used to come round to his place of business and have a ride in his cart. On the day named, he took off his waistcoat and left it in the bakehouse. In the pockets there was a watch and a little case containing three half-sovereigns. Sidney Bailey had been about with him in the cart that morning. About six o'clock in the evening, he saw his vest again; but he did not examine it. He missed the half-a-sovereign of the money on the morning of the 25th of June. He saw the little boy Sidney on the Monday afternoon, and said to him, "Your sister has been down here, and says you have got half-a-crown in your box. How did you come by it?" He replied, "My sisters do tell lies; I haven't got a half-a-crown." The younger prisoner then left, and on the following day witness took him to the police officer of Trumpington. In the presence of P.C. Vialls and himself, the younger prisoner said he was sure he did not know anything about the half-sovereign, and he had not seen the money at all. He was sure, too, that his brother Jack had not had it. He also denied having half-a-crown. When pressed, Sidney said his brother Jack saw where the money was, and told him to go and "nick" half-a-sovereign. The young lad also said that he changed the coin at Mrs. Saunders', giving 2s. of it to his father, 1s. to his mother, and 6s. to Jack. He also understood him to say that he bought a quarter of a pound of cheese, and had the rest of the coppers himself. Jack promised to give him some more of the money. The boy explained that he took the money on the Saturday. - In answer to the father of the accused, the prosecutor said the younger prisoner was not in his employ, although he helped him whenever he felt disposed to do so. - Susanna Moss, wife of John Moss, living at Trumpington, said she kept a small shop in that village. About six o'clock on the evening of Saturday, June 23rd, the younger prisoner came into her shop, and asked if she could give his father change for half-a-sovereign, and she did so. She believed she gave the prisoner three two-shilling pieces and four shillings. - P.c. Vialls, stationed at Trumpington, said he had been present in court during the time the evidence was given in reference to the conversation which took place in his house and the statement of the prosecutor was correct. He went in search of the elder prisoner on the Tuesday, and he found him in the Coach and Horses public house. He told him that he wished to speak to him concerning a half-a-sovereign which had been stolen from the prosecutor, Mr. Rayner. He cautioned him, and went with him to his father's house. In the presence of the prisoner and his father and mother, the elder prisoner said, "What do you say, Sidney - I know something about this half-sovereign?" The lad replied, "Yes, you told me to go and nick it - you know you did - and you showed me how to slip the catch back and get the money out. I went and got it, and when I came back I saw Jack. He said, 'Have you got it?' and I said, 'Yes.' Jack then said, 'Go to Saunders' and get change.' I went and got change. I received three two-shilling pieces and four shillings." The father said, "What have you done with the money? Why didn't you tell me how you came by it?" He said, "I gave you a shilling, father; I gave mother a shilling; tenpence halfpenny I laid out for mother in cheese, vinegar and other things; I gave Jack twopence halfpenny on Saturday night; and I spent the remainder with the exception of the three two-shilling pieces. On Saturday dinner-time, I went upstairs, and Jack was in the bedroom. I was 'jinking' my money in my pocket, and Jack said, 'What have you get there?' I replied, 'I have got some of that half-sovereign left.' I gave him a two-shilling piece, and Jack said 'Give me the other and let me put it in my box for you.' I gave it to him." The younger of the prisoners said he gave his brother the six shillings, which the elder prisoner said he spent on the previous day. - The prisoners elected to be summarily dealt with, the elder brother denying that he told his brother to go and take the money. - The Chairman characterised the case as a very lamentable one, because he was sorry to say that the father and mother knew quite well where they got the money from. The magistrates considered that the younger prisoner was acting under the influence of his brother, whom it was in their jurisdiction to send to prison for three months. He would have to go to gaol for six weeks only. With reference to the lad Sidney, they did not wish to brand him as a felon for the remainder of his life, considering that he acted under the persuasion of his brother, and he would be discharged. They hoped that this would be a warning to him in regard to his future conduct.