On May 18, 1885 Philip Reuby appeared at the Old Bailey accused of issuing counterfeit coin. He was only 17 at the time, and was recommended to mercy by the jury who felt he may have been duped himself. His sentence was twelve months hard labour. This page and the transcript both show the mis-spelling Renby.
The shop assistant certainly seemed pretty sure of herself – but perhaps in those counterfeit coins were more common.
The following image of the returns of all prisoners in court that day shows that sentences were varied – Henry Wakeley both forged and uttered counterfeit coins, but only got four months. Poor old Philip got the same sentence as George Catten, a child abuser.
I can’t help feeling sorry for him – although his responses to the constable make me think that he wasn’t as innocent as he made out.
Easter Family Genealogy 