The streets to the east and west of Commercial Street in the 19th century had a dreadful reputation for vice and villainy.

These streets had a proliferation of common lodging houses on them, and these were seen, in many cases, as being little more than dens of iniquity.

Robberies were common in the common lodging houses, and strangers entered them at their peril, as an Australian sailor found to his cost in a story that was reported in The Australia and New Zealand Gazette, Saturday the 4th of September, 1875:-

ROBBERY IN FLOWER AND DEAN STREET

At the Worship Street Police Court the other day, James Crane, 30, a seaman, and Martha Whiting, 33, were charged before Mr. Cooke.

Crane was charged with stealing a gold watch, gold chain, and locket, some articles of wearing apparel, and some money, of the total value of 40l belonging to Peter Pugh; and Whiting was charged with receiving the same.

A STEWARD ON AN AUSTRALIAN PACKET SHIP

From the evidence presented, it appeared that the prosecutor was a steward of an Australian packet ship, and had recently arrived from Australia, the prisoner Crane being a seaman on the same ship.

LOOKING FOR A NIGHT’S LODGING

The prosecutor met the prisoner in Ratcliffe Highway, and accompanied him to a public house.

Wanting a lodging for the night, he allowed Crane to lead him to a lodging house in Flower and Dean Street, Spitalfields, a very bad neighbourbood, but one with which the prosecutor was unacquainted.

HIS POSSESIONS WERE GONE

He slept in a room with the prisoner, and awoke in the morning to find that almost all his clothes, with his watch, chain, and locket, and about eight pounds in gold and silver, were gone.

THE ROOM IN ANGEL ALLEY

Subsequently, Crane was apprehended, in company with the woman.

In the room which they occupied in Angel Alley, Whitechapel, a waistcoat, afterwards identified by the prosecutor, was found.

Crane was also in possession of a duplicate relating to the chain, which had been pledged.

In the possession of the prisoner Whiting was found a duplicate – which she attempted to destroy – relating to the gold watch, which had been pledged at Greenwich.

This, it was proved, Crane had also dealt with and obtained advances on.

GUILTY AND FOUR MONTHS HARD LABOUR

Crane pleaded “guilty” to the charge, saying that he was drunk when he took the property.

The woman denied all knowledge of the theft.

Mr. Cooke said that there was not sufficient evidence against the woman, whom he, therefore, discharged.

Crane, however, was was sentenced to four months’ hard labour.