GLOUCESTER JOURNAL 13th APRIL 1833

Gloucester Assizes: - Crown Court.

Saturday April 6: - James and Thomas Berryman were indicted for robbing John Hancox, at Bisley, of 10 sovereigns and some silver. Mr Justice Parke. Mr Phillpotts prosecuted, and Mr Watson defended.

The prisoners were traced from London to Witney, in a waggon, and they were seen about the neighbourhood of the prosecutor's house.

Henry William Hancox was called, and appeared with his eyes and head bound round with silk. He said I am 26. On the 2nd of last November, in the evening, I was at my father's house, in the kitchen, with my mother, brother, two sisters, and a servant. I went out to an outhouse, and was there for about ten minutes. I saw a person step in towards me with his hands extended. I asked what he wanted; he made no answer. Another man appeared, and I ran down to the house. They followed me sharply. I entered the house and pushed the door to. I came into the passage, and went into the kitchen. I said someone was coming in of no good. I went to the corner of the dresser, where I kept the gun, got hold of it, and turned partly round, when I was shot in the head without a word; I did not see with what instrument. I am now blind, and shall be forever. It was with small shot.

John Hancox, father to the last witness: - My house is at Bisley, in this county. When my son returned I saw the flash of the pistol from the room in which I sat. My son fell. The kitchen was then in darkness. I heard someone say, "Silence, and a candle." They set fire to some paper at the fire and lit a candle. I saw three men. I heard "Bolt the doors" cried out, and that was done. The men were all armed with pistols and a sword.

Their faces were blackened with parallel masks. One had a sort of belt, or strap. There was an attempt to prime and charge again from a stone bottle. They held the sword and pistols nearer towards Mrs Hancox and myself, and said "We want money, or we can make money of, for we are in great distress; be quick, be quick." I pulled out my purse, with ten sovereigns and some silver, emptied the contents on the table and said that was all the cash I had about me.
One said, "That won't do." My wife begged me to give all I had. I pulled out my pocket book and gave them one ten-pound note, and seven five pound notes. They were very menacing and said, "Are they Bank of England bills?"

My son was on the ground, I thought he was dead. My wife said she wished a surgeon to be sent for. One of the men said, "No one shall go till we are gone." I gave them my keys. One of the men opened the cupboard and took silver spoons and a punch ladle. Two of the men went up stairs; the other remained below with a pistol in each hand. My son raised himself on his hands and knees. I know the prisoners at the bar, they were two of them. James had been at my house in 1830. I believe neither of these had the sword.

Cross-examined by Mr Watson, for the prisoners: I was collected, though alarmed. The fowling piece taken by my son was loaded. There was a number of persons apprehended on suspicion of being in the house. I should say the pistol could not have gone off by accident.
Re-examined: - Those men were apprehended by the anxiety of others, and discharged.
John Walter Hancox, his younger son, corroborated his father, and identified the prisoners.
The prisoners had left London on the 29th October, and returned to their lodgings on the 5th November, at Lambeth, and went away on the 9th.

Sarah Ireland: - Berryman's wife showed me a pair of gilt ear-drops on the 9th, given by her husband.

James Ellis, a Bow Street officer, apprehended the prisoners at their lodgings. I found a comforter there. Took a box directed to Mrs Berryman, to be left at the turnpike, Chalfont. I found a pair of ear-rings in it. I saw Mrs Berryman with such a pair in her ears.

Edwin Hunt, the accomplice: - I am the brother-in-law to the prisoners. He stated that the plan was originally proposed by James, and detailed the circumstances of the robbery, as already proved, and that James fired the pistol at young Mr Hancox, and that Thomas had the sword.

The prisoners declined saying anything in their defence.

Mr Justice Parke summed up the case to the Jury, who returned a verdict of Guilty against both. James Berryman said that it was his hand that fired the pistol. The prosecutor recommended to mercy the man [Thomas?].

Judgement of death was passed upon James, without any hope of mercy, and Thomas was sentenced to transportation for life.