Quote
—John Smith, alias “Cockney Jack,” (who bore evident traces of rough usage, having sprained his ankle and received two discoloured eyes in the scuffle when apprehended,) was charged with stealing thirteen pounds weight of bacon, of the value 10s., the property of Lucy Neat, the proprietor of the “Coach and Horses” public-house, at Cosham, on the 26th December. On the morning of the day in question the bacon produced was observed in a cellar on the ground floor by Rosanna Neat, who, at a later period, saw prisoner pass the parlour window with the bacon under his arm. She at once appraised the household of the theft, when Robert Wilson gave chase. He watched him for a considerable distance on the turnpike road, and would not have touched him had he not gone from thence into an adjoining field, when he at once pursued and overtook him. Prisoner became very violent, struck at and kicked witness, when he struck prisoner in the face. Prisoner complained of unjustifiable ill-treatment on the part of witness, but the constable who had charge of the case having corroborated Mr. Wilson’s statement, the Magistrates gave no heed to his complaint, and sentenced him to be imprisoned for two months and to be kept to hard labour.—Prisoner: Thank you; I want some attention for my foot.
— Hampshire Telegraph, Saturday 11 January, 1862 (source)
Note
There’s a John Smith lodging at the pub on the 1861 census. Unfortunately his place of birth is pretty-much unreadable.
Note
I am assuming Rosanna Neat is Rosina Neat from the 1851 census and probably Hannah Neat on the 1861.