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From Old Bailey Proceedings Online (www.oldbaileyonline.org,
July 1893, trial of FREDERICK VANSTAN.
FREDERICK VANSTAN, Royal Offences - coining offences, 24th July
1893. 693. FREDERICK VANSTAN (A soldier), Unlawfully uttering counterfeit
coin. MR. WILKINSON Prosecuted. ALICE SEAGER: I am the wife of Frederick Seager, who keeps the
"Village Blacksmith" public-house, High Street, Woolwich—on June 21st
the prisoner came in with a sergeant of the Borderers—I served him
with some ale, and he gave me this Jubilee sixpence, gilt—I put it
on a shelf alone and gave him the change—I looked at it again and
put it to my teeth—I saw it was a gilt coin, and took it to my
husband—I then went with a constable to the "King's Arms," found the
prisoner there, and showed him the coin—he said he did not know what
I meant, and then said, "Mistress, will you take the money back, as
you will get me into serious trouble?"—I did not take it back—when
he gave it me he took it from his right-hand pocket inside his
jacket, which he unfastened—I did not see any other coin, but I
heard a rattling. Cross-examined by the prisoner:- I do not think you intended to
defraud me, but I gave you in charge because then I had spoken to
the policeman—I could not recall it. RICHARD NORTON (Policeman):- On the night of June 21st I went with
Mrs. Seager to the "King's Arms" and found the prisoner—I asked him
what he meant by changing this coin for a half-sovereign—he said he
took it in change at the "Queen's Arms" public-house half-an-hour
previously—I asked him to turn his pockets out, and found 9s. 6d. in
silver and 61/2d. in bronze in his trousers' pocket—on the way to
the station he said, "It is a bad job, it will put ten years on me,"
and wanted the prosecutor to take the coin back, but he refused. MARY ANN BEAVER:- I keep the
"Queen's Arms," Woolwich, about twenty
minutes' walk from High Street—on 21st June I was serving in the bar
from 7 to 8. 30, and from 9 to 12. 30—I do not remember seeing the
prisoner there at all, or changing a sovereign, but there was one
changed, I do not know at what hour—my barmaid is not here. WILLIAM JOHN WEBSTERL- I am Inspector of Coin to H. M. Mint—this is
a Jubilee sixpence, gilt. Prisoner's defence:- I got it in Woolwich in change for a sovereign,
which my father gave me. I did not know it was bad. Witnesses for the Defence. MR. VANSTAN:- I am the prisoner's father—I gave him a sovereign on
June 20th. MR. JONES:- On 21st June, about nine o'clock, I saw the prisoner in
the "Abercrombie Arms"—he asked for a strong cup, and they filled the
glass three times—he paid for the drink, and I saw him with a
half-sovereign and some shillings. The prisoner received a good diameter. NOT GUILTY. Before Mr. Common Serjeant.
lice Seager. |
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