Somerset County Gazette - 19 March 1864

ANOTHER PUBLIC-HOUSE ROBBERY

Elijah Robins, labourer, was indicted for stealing from the person of Richard Parker, three sovereigns, a receipt, and a purse, his property, at Paulton, on the 14th of March. Mr, Saunders prosecuted; prisoner was undefended. Prosecutor said he was a brick and tile maker, and on the 14th of March he was at a beer-house at Paulton, at one o'clock in the day. Prisoner showed him in, and prosecutor called for some beer. They had some conversation about his employing prisoner at work, having worked for prosecutor's father previously. Prosecutor went to sleep, and on awaking he missed his purse and three sovereigns. Prisoner had his arm round his neck, and tried to get away, but prosecutor stopped him. Prisoner said, "Your money is all right, you shall have have it if you will be quiet." A policeman was sent for, and Mrs. James put two sovereigns on the table, and called prisoner a robber. Was not tipsy.—Jane James, landlady of the beer-house in question, stated that on the 14th of March she saw prisoner with his arm round prosecutor's neck. She fetched the latter's sister to get him home, and on her return she saw a struggle between them. She took two sovereigns from his pocket, and said, "Now, you robber, you have got the other money." He said it would be all right. She afterwards found a sovereign and a receipt in the room.—A.S. Wiggate produced the money and the receipt, and deposed to apprehending the prisoner, who said, "I never did it before; I wish I had not done it now." He also said he picked up the two sovereigns on the floor of the room.—Prisoner denied the robbery. —The learned Judge commented upon the fact that this was the fourth robbery in succession which had taken place in a beer-house.—He was found guilty and, the policeman having given him a bad character, he was sentenced to 4 months' imprisonment, with hard labour.