The Family of Robert and Sarah Boocock: Robert's Criminal Record

ROBERT'S SECOND ARREST, THE TRIAL:

"PRESTON QUARTER SESSIONS - Trial of Prisoners before W.H. Higgin Esq., Q.C., and other Magistrates - THE THEFT FROM ST. JOHN'S BRITISH WORKMAN -

Robert Boocock, 17, and Thomas Dent, 15, were indicted for stealing at Preston, on the 24th ult., £2, 5s. and 204 brass checks, the property of the Rev. J.H. Rawdon and others.
Dent pleaded guilty. - Mr. Cooper Prosecuted. He said that Mr. Rimmer, the secretary of St. John's British Workman, on the 23rd December, locked ten five shilling parcels of copper and a number of checks in his drawer in the committee room. He subsequently saw the prisoners leave the coffee room and go into the committee room. Next day he found nine of the parcels of copper gone, as well as 204 brass checks worth a penny each. On the 24th December the prisoners purchased a number of articles at various shops in the town, and paid for the same with copper. The same evening they were apprehended at the theatre.
The prisoner Boocock was found guilty. Mr. Blair, who appeared on behalf of Dent, said that hitherto he had borne a good character but, unfortunately, of late he had kept bad company. The chairman, in passing sentence, said the prisoner Boocock already bore a bad character, having recently been before the court. He then promised to amend his ways and was leniently dealt with. On his next appearance he would be sent into penal servitude. The sentence of the court now was 12 calendar months imprisonment with hard labour, and two years police supervision. Dent's punishment consisted of 20 strokes with the birch rod."

(From `The Preston Guardian', Saturday, 8 January 1881)

ROBERT'S SECOND ARREST, THE BILL OF COSTS:

ROBERT BOOCOCK - BILL OF COSTS OF PROSECUTION OF ROBERT BOOCOCK AND ANOTHER FOR LARCENY AND RECEIVING. To Mr. Dukes, Prosecutor's Bill, Preston, January Session, 1881. The Queen on the prosecution of John Brown, Detective, against Robert Boocock and another for Larceny and Receiving.

	Court Fees: 2 Prisoners at £1, 7s. 2d. each	= £2 14s. 4d.
	Paid counsel, Mr. Cooper	= £2 4s. 6d.
	Committing Magistrates costs	= £2 10s. 6d.
Witnesses: = 3s. 6d., 1 day
	John Brown, Detective, Preston	= 3s. 6d., 1 day
	Chas. Jas. Brimmer, Preston	= 3s. 6d., 1 day
	Wm. Rigby, Preston	= 3s. 6d., 1 day
	George Olding, Preston	= 3s. 2d., 1 day
	James Simpson, Blackburn	= 3s. 6d., 1 day
	John Woodhouse, Preston	= 3s. 6d., 1 day
	Wm. Swinsen, Ashton u/Lynn	= 3s. 6d., 1 day
	John Willan, Preston	= 3s. 6d., 1 day
	George Warburton, Preston	= 3s. 6d., 1 day

Allowed		= £12 13s. 10d.

(From QSP 4094/56, Preston, January 1881)

NOTE:
1:	The last record I had of Robert Boocock was the 1891 census when he was resident at Her Majesty's Prison, Preston. I have not been able to determine why Robert was back in Prison at this time and the prison records are incomplete.
2:	The above information was taken from microfilmed copies of newspapers held at the Harris Library and from original documents held at the Lancashire Record Office.