[list-cumbria] Carlisle Patriot, 06 Mar 1824 - Westmorland Spring Assizes (2)

[Petra Mitchinson]

Saturday 06 Mar 1824   (p. 4, col. 1-6)

 

WESTMORLAND SPRING ASSIZES. 

 

[continued] 

 

UTTERING BASE MONEY. 

 

DORCAS ALLINSON, aged 27, single-woman, was indicted for having, on the 17th of January last, at Appleby, unlawfully and deceitfully
uttered and paid to Hannah DOVER, one piece of false money, made and counterfeited to the likeness of the current coin of the realm,
called a half-crown, she knowing the same to be counterfeit. 

 

The prisoner pleaded Not Guilty She said she had paid the half-crown, but she was innocent of doing so knowing it to be counterfeit.


 

Mr. DUNDAS stated the nature of the case. 

 

Mr. COURTENAY addressed the Jury. He said the indictment embraced two charges-one that the prisoner had knowingly paid to Hannah
DOVER, the wife of Joseph DOVER, a base half-crown, and on the same day uttered another piece of counterfeit money; the other, that
she had simply uttered with a guilty knowledge. And when he had proved the fact, that almost immediately after having defrauded
DOVER, she paid away a second counterfeit half-crown to a Mrs. RICHARDSON, under the colour of wanting change while purchasing a
trifling article, the Jury would perhaps come to the conclusion that she was guilty on the first count, which involved a greater
degree of punishment than the second. The prisoner herself seemed aware of the distinction, for though she admitted the uttering,
she denied the knowledge, which alone constituted her offence. After detailing the leading facts of the case, the learned Gentleman
called his witnesses. 

 

Hannah DOVER sworn.-I am the wife of Geo. DOVER, and keep a shop at Appleby. The prisoner at the bar, who was a stranger to me, came
to my shop on January 17th, a Saturday, and bought a bonnet. The price was 2s. 9d., but I let her have it for 2s. 6d. as she said
that sum was all she had, and she gave me a half-crown piece, taking away the bonnet. This half-crown I put into my pocket-book,
which contained no other coin of the same denomination, and I saw it again soon after. I went into the constable's house, and there
produced it. The constable looked at it, and marked it, observing that it was the same as two others that he had. He put it into his
pocket, but I got it again on the next day-I produce it, and believe it to be the same. 

 

The prisoner had no legal adviser. She declined asking the witness any questions. 

 

Judge-What did you say your husband's name is? 

 

Witness.-George DOVER. 

 

Judge.-What says the indictment? 

 

Clerk of the Arraigns.-Joseph, in the first count, George in the second. 

 

Judge.-Then you must confine yourself to the second count; the first is worth nothing. 

 

Sarah RICHARDSON sworn.-I live in Battleborough, near Appleby. The prisoner came to my house on Saturday the 17th January, between
four and five in the evening. I deal in tobacco; she purchased half an ounce, amounting to two-pence. In payment she gave me a
half-crown piece. I gave her the difference. I put the money into a drawer, which contained no other half-crown. About five minutes
after, I took it out at the request of Mr. DIXON, and gave it to him, who marked it in my presence. I now produce it. I received it
of one of the constables, Mr. D. having taken it away after marking it: I am sure it is the same. 

 

Prisoner again declined asking any questions. 

 

John DIXON called.-I am a mercer at Appleby. On the 17th of January I went to Mrs. RICHARDSON's shop. I was in search of a woman who
had previously offered me a bad half-crown. I did not find her there: but I saw a half-crown there which I marked-and I believe the
mark on this now shewn me is the same. I gave it to a constable named SARGINSON, and saw it again on the Monday, knowing it to be
the same I saw on Sunday: the mark was a cross upon the head. I saw the constable return it to Mrs. RICHARDSON. The prisoner at the
bar is the woman who offered me a bad half-crown. It was on the Friday. I refused it, because it was bad. She wanted to buy a pair
of hose, price 14d.; she left the article, promising to call again, but did not call. 

 

Robert WILSON.-I apprehended the prisoner on the 17th January, and found on her 4s. 8d.-four shillings in silver. The time of
apprehension was about two or three-I am sure of it-it was quite day-light. 

 

Mrs. RICHARDSON recalled.-It was between four and five when she came to me-nearly dark. 

 

WILSON continued.-I did not let her out of custody after taking her. 

 

Judge-This is strange. 

 

Mr. COURTENAY.-Strange, indeed, my Lord. 

 

WILSON.-I took her to the Town-Hall, where I searched her, and afterwards carried her before a magistrate, and finally to the
gaol.-The interval between apprehension and committal was two or three hours: I was sober, I expect, that afternoon. I received a
half-crown from Mrs. RICHARDSON, and put a mark upon it. Prisoner was searched about a quarter of an hour after being taken-no
candles were lighted. 

 

Mrs. RICHARDSON examined by the Court.-I am sure I am not mistaken in the person of the woman. It was after the time mentioned by
the constable when she came to me-I have no doubt that prisoner was the woman. 

 

WILSON recalled.-The money found consisted of 4s. 8d.; out of which there were two or three sixpences, and about seven shillings (a
laugh). No, about three of them shillings and three sixpences. I am sure the half-crown produced was the one that I marked. I gave
it two crosses, but did not take such notice as to know on which side. (The piece was handed to him). Oh! I marked it on the tail
side. 

 

Mr. DIXON recalled.-It was between four and five o'clock when Mrs. RICHARDSON gave me the half-crown. After that I went in search of
a constable and brought the last witness-it was dusk. 

 

WILSON further questioned.-I apprehended the woman after being spoken to by Mr. DIXON. 

 

James WEYMSS.-I am a silversmith at Appleby. (Looking at the piece by the constable) That is bad. (At the other) Bad too-and I
believe both are from the same die, and of the same metal-not silver. 

 

WILSON again called by the Judge.-I took up the prisoner near the bridge, coming in the direction from Battleborough. She said she
came from Ireland-she was a stranger in the town. 

 

Prisoner again declined asking questions, but loudly protested her ignorance of the money being base. She said she was a widow with
two orphans; and begged (with tears) to be let home to her own kingdom. 

 

Mr. Justice HOLROYD, in summing up the evidence, informed the Jury that the prisoner could not be convicted on the first count, by
reason of the flaw, before noticed; and said that they now had to decide merely, whether, when she uttered to DOVER, she knew the
coin to be base. As to the time of her apprehension, the constable seemed to have been under error. Part of the money found upon her
must have been that given to her as change by Mrs. RICHARDSON. Both were uttered on the same day, within a short time of each other;
and they would be assisted in forming their judgment by the fact that she had not returned to Mr. DIXON for the stockings, which she
said she wanted. 

 

The Jury found the prisoner Guilty on the second count; and not guilty on the first. 

 

Stat. 15th, Geo. II. apportions for the offence, six months' imprisonment, the offender to give security for good behaviour for a
like period. Mr. Justice Holroyd said he should not pass sentence till he had made some inquiries. 

 

 

[to be continued] 

 

 

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