The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1863-07-28 00:00:00

LAIWZNY AT STATLITORD.

Charles Lawrence, described as a bricklayer, wss
indicted for stealing • pair of boots, the property of
Thoinsa Wilson, of Stapleford. The prosecution
was conducted by Mr. Snowden. The prosecutor, a
cattle dealer, left a pair of boots at the hots. of Mr.
Harwood, at Stepleford. They weie placed just out-
side the back door, but on the 6th of July they wore
missing. They were seen on the premises by Miss
Harwood twoor three days previously. The prisoner
had been working on the premises as • bricklayer,
and when the robbery was discovered a policeman
went to his house at Quidhampton, where the boots
were discovered. The prisoner then admitted taking
the boots, but said he thought they were of no value
and had been thrown away. The prisoner was
found guilty, and be then pleaded guilty to a former
conviction. His lordship said he would pass a light
sentewa, as he believed the boots were somewhat
improperly thrown in his way—he would therefore
be imprisoned for two calendar months.

ARRAULTING AIriMALZ AT MILORD.
The bill against William Offer, Lberty &atelier,
and Thomas Bryant, indicted for having committed
• felonious assault upon Harriet Turner, at Milford,
was thrown out by the Grand Jury.

•vrsurien •ItSON AT PIERTON.
George Legg was indicted for attempting to set
fire toe stable and cattle shed, the property of Mr.
James Wilkins, at Pierton, on the 10th of April
last —Mr. &Ilia conducted the prosecution. A plan
of the premises was put in, the wormy of which,
was proved by Mr. A. G. Freemacci, clerk of Mr.
Kinnier, solicitor, of Swindon. —James Kennett
stated, that on the evening of the day named, he
saw the prisoner at the New Inn, and afterwards
saw him drinking at Thomas Kennett'a On going
out be heard Kennett's daughter tell the prisoner to
go home, as they wanted to go to bed. The prisoner
came out, agid accompanied witness for some distance
in the direction of CrickL•dx. That 111111 not the
way to the prisoner's house. When be tinned back
witness saw him go up to a stable near Kennett's
house. He hoard him scraping something, and he
distinctly heard him say, " If the matches will light,
I will set the place on tire." He heard him scrape
another at the corner. When prisoner saw witness,
he CAM° up to him and said, "who are you ?"and
and
he replied "it is an old trick of yours to act at such
• thing." The prisoner answered, "hold your
tongue, or you may get your own house down
about you some time or another." Witness
threatened that if ho continued to use :kWh language
he would give him into the custody of • policeman.
The prisoner replied: "I don't care, I am willing
tog.." He then went towards his home. The build-
ing was unto( the road w bleb led to theprisoner's hour.
--Henry dellwood, a wood dealer, living at Parton,
said the stable and shed in question were in his
occupation. On the following morning he saw some
matches picked up about a yard from the thatch of
the shed. In answer to the prisoner he said the
matches were found in the road some two or three
feet apart, as if they had been dropped by a person
passing along. One of them bad been snapped off.
William Wilkins was called upon his recognisance,
but did not appear.—Polioe-comtable Sell said he
ifund three matches in the road about a yard from
the thatch of the stable. A person could have set
lire to the thatch at that point When the prisoner
was apprehended, he mid "I was drunk, and know
nothing about IL" Subsequently he said: "I was
looking for my pipe and could not find it" Witness
looked for a pipe afterwards, but could not find one.
It was proved that the prisoner was the worse
for liquor when he left the public home.
The prisoner in his defames said he had
matched in his posession at the time. His Lordship,
In summing op the case to the jury, said if
the prisoner made the attempt and was prevented
from completing it by any oxidant beyond his own
will, the offence was pretty nearly the same as
though the premises had been actually burnt down.
He thought the language of the prisoner was more
that of • drunken man than of one who vas in the
act of committing a serious crime. ft be were a
juryman he did not think he should feel inclined to
convict the prisoner upon such evidence.—The jury
acquitted the prisoner, and his lordship cautioned
him against those habits of intemperance, which had
well nigh led him into serious difficulties.

LARCZNY AT DEVI/113.
Thomas Bemis afire Hetenande, • mason, was
indicted for stealing an umbrella at Divlift, value
12a, the property of Mr. Daniel Goodman., du the
sth of July. Mr. Elitrayne prosecitted.—lt appears
that the umbrella was left in a carriage in Mr.
Sloper's gig-house, in Back-lane, Devizes. Two days
after war& it was discovered Mat the look bad been
(ovoid and the umbrella taken away. The umbrella
was traced to his poesessien, and when taken into
custody be stated that be picked it up on the aiwn
between Devises and Chirierne. The umbrella was
produced and identified by Mr. Elloper. The jury
retired to consider their verdict, and after an
shawls of quarter of an hour returned into Court
with a verdict of guilty. His Lordship sentenced
him t 3 four months' imprisonment. There was
another indictment against Slip prisoner for stealing
a can at West Lavington, but this was not proceeded
with.

UTigIING EX/U 44444 ZIT COIN.

limy Winter pleaded guilty to having uttered
oounterfeit coin at Trowbridge, on the 23rd of May
last. Bbe also pleaded guilty to having been
formerly ccavioted for a similar offence, in 1859,
when she received a twelvemonth's imprisonment,—
Ilia Lordship sentemeed her to be kept to hard
labour for lifmen months.

BIGAMY.
Thomas Norrish was indicted for feloniously
marrying Martha Wilson, at Wednesbury, Stafford-
shire, on the Bth of September last, his former wife
being then alive. —Mr. H. J. F. Swayne oonductod
the prosecution. —Mr. :oho Norrish, a farmer living
near Taunton, proved the first marriage to Mary
Pearce, which took place on the llth of April, 1839,
at St Mary Magdelen, Taunton. A certificate of
Ibis marriage was produced by John Hunt. —Maria
Cambridge said she was_present when the prisoner
was warned to Maelta Wilson, at Wedoesbury. It
took place at St. John's Church, in September, 1862.
They lived together for some time at her mother's
house. When the prisoner was taken into custody
for having deserted his wife and family, his wood
wife wont away, and she had not none been heard
of.—lo'coss-couunination, by the pris iner, she aid:
She was not aware whether Martha Wilson was pre-
viously a married woman. She kept company with
another man after the prisoner had left. A charge
of bigamy was made against the prisoner in Stafford-
shire, but they were then unable to proem evidence
of the first marriage. —Superintendent Staples stated
that in the year 1967 the prisoner was in the employ
of the Great Weston Railway Company and
that he was living with his win and family
at Minety. He left them chargeable to the
Eariab, and a warrant WM issued for his appro.
onion. Be IVY imprisoned for three months
for this offence, and an his release from prison he
wee taken into custody on this chasp.--The prisoner
offered no defence, and his lordship briefly summed
up. —The jury found him guilty, and as no informa-
tion could be obtained as to the reason why he had
left his first wife, be was 'softened to six months'
imprisonment. —The prisoner's brother made an ap-
plication to the Court. He said he was required to
attend the meeting of the magistrates at Malmosbury.
and he received information of it only one day before
he had to attend. He hid to travel to Chippenlion
and hires oonvernoe from that place to Malmss-
burl, his travelling expenses amounting in all to two
guineas. He was now informed that be would only
remise 25e. His Lordship aid the magistrates were
the persons who isertatlsd to the Court. It 'embossed
his power to do anything in the matter. The taxing
offioer at the Assises had power to dent* but not
to increase the allowance to winsome. Uhe had
Mis pow'', be miglit rely qua it ail it would bo

allowed, but unfortunately that power did not rest
with him. Mr, Morrish said it was a great hardship,
in which his lordship concurred.
Charles Bird was indicted for haring committed
an unnatural crime, at Maiden Bradley, on the Ihh
of June.—Mr. Everett pmeecutaxi, and Mr. Edlin
defended.--The jury acquitted the prisoner.
This terminated the criminal business of the
Assize, and the Court roue shortly after four o'clock.