![]() ![]() The second count is that on the 10th of March last, Jonathan Wild did feloniously receive of the said Catherine Stetham, ten guineas, on pretence of helping her see the return of the said stolen lace and that he did not discover or apprehend the persons who committed the said theft. ![]() The first for privately stealing in the shop of Catherine Stetham fifty yards of lace, on the 22nd of January last. Perhaps he thinks he'll need a little help to worm his way out of this one. Not many defendants can afford such a thing. So well, has he played the game that at this moment he finds himself in control of much of London's criminal underworld.Īnd look, Jonathan Wild has paid to have a council by his side. Jonathan Wild who calls himself, the Thief Taker General. ![]() On trial today is the master of this double life, It's no surprise that it's in the interest of these same thief takers to ensure a steady supply of such thefts and such stolen goodsĪnd you could say that they're playing a merry little dance. There is, as yet, no police force and the authorities have come to rely on thief takers, who, inspired by large rewards, have made it their business to apprehend thieves and see to the return of stolen goods. 'And ruling the criminal underworld, a man who has a finger in every pie.' 'London has more than half a million inhabitants. Now here's a case that paints a picture of what this city has become. You can put your ears to the wall and hear once again these voices from the past. And now you, some while later, can listen in. Since 1674, every trial that's been played out here between these walls at London's Old Bailey court, every single one of them, has been faithfully recorded by a reporter like me. ![]()
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