The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1871-03-14 00:00:00

BURGLARY AT lIILOOMBS MGM

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John Neil, 36, sergeant of Merinos, was indicted for
breaking into the dwelling-house of Richard Chubb, at
Weymouth, and stealing • farthing and • reel of cotton,
on January 27. Pleaded not guilty.—Mr. Goldney
said that although the amount was not large, the
offence was that of burglary, by breaking and entering
a dwelling-house at night. P.C. F. Ballett was passing
the Milton Arms early in the morning, he found the
house safe at 3.40, and at ball-past fear he passed
*gain, and the tap-room window was open and some I
meat on the sill. : man who came out of the door
called out " Hullo, old boy; it is too late now, and
ran away. lie followed him, but did not catch him.
lie could swear the prisoner at the bar seethe men. Ile
had on • :MB:key cloak, but no boots. Had had conver-
sation frith the prisouer the evening before, and recognised
him by his voice. Afterwards he went with Sergeant
Brine into the house, be found the door wide open, and
the till produced on the mat. There was some money
still there. At • quarter-past five he found prisoner at
the Boot, and arrested him; on searching him he found
some money, and other artistes. Among tbe money
was • particular farthing, reel of cotton, and • key.—
(The witness, in his agitation, let fall the change with
a rattle, and the Judge said that by Led by there
would be an enquiry as to whether that was the real
farthing that fell down.)—Witness said that when
prisoner was charged he denied knowing anything
about it, and said he had another reel of cotton like
this, which be had bought at Perigee, in his box
would be found several coins like the farthing, and
the key fitted his box. Witness went on board, and
searched prisoner's box, when be found a reel marked
" Toms, Stonehouse," and some brass medals, but no
farthing, and the key did not fit the box.
Cross-examined by Mr. McKellar, who defended:
Did not see the prisoner's face that night ; but heard
him excl.im " Hullo ! old boy ; it is too late now,"
that was all he said. He had a side view of his farm,
and knew him by his side face and his stature, also by
hie voice, which was different from that of people in
Weymouth.
Mr. McKellar: There are many marines who speak
differently from people in Weymouth.
Mrs. Bliss Chubb said she went to bed 20 minutes
pest one on this morning. All the windows were shut
accept the parlour window, which was quite jammed.
It was • sash window; but the beep had been off for
three years. There was a very heavy wire blind
inside.
The Judge said that openiag • window which was
jammed down would not be &burglary, nothing having
been broken. There was still the larceny.
Mr. Bennett, to witness: Was it fastened down?
The Judge: o, you will shut the window fast
enough—(laughter).
The learned counsel went on to examine the witness
and his lordship reminded her: After this gentleman
has turned you inside out, then will come that other
gentlemen to turn you back egain—(laughter). Witness
said the window was very much shut dows—it was
jammed fast. She missed some money, and among it
a farthing very much mildewed. She reckoned about
4s. 61. worth of coppers were in the till.
Cross-examined: Sb, only knew the farthing by its
being mildewed. The window had no hasp.
Ann Mills was called; hut P.C. Apsey said that she
we. ill.
Mr. John Owen, late of the Boot Ins, said prisoner
came to his house on the morning of Jsnuary 20: He
had some beer, rum, and toberso, and paid in coppers
at three paymenta. This was about 6, and witness
remarked that it was early; but prisoner said that be
was making up for being late before. When be asked
him whether he had slept whets be had before prisoner
replied "yes" in • hesitating way.
P.C. McMahon saw the prisoner at the police
station. He aaked if he remembered where lie brought
him the week before, and witness said it was up in
Pukstreet. Prisoner replied that he slept opposite
that, on the opposite side of the reed.
Superintendent Vickery examined the Milton AIM
on Friday morning. and saw the window, which was
closed by a wire blind, fastened by brass buttons, one
of which on the right hand side was nearly forced off.
There were marka of a hammer on the till.—Cross-
examined : How many men have you under you ?
A : About 12 —Q : They are vely nearly all of them
up here to-day, about this farthing, are they not?—A:
No; they are not.—Cross.examinatiou continued:
When prisoner was brought to the station he seemed In
such a state, se if he was out of his mind. Did not
examine his stockings.
John Tucker, sergeant of !Wines on board the same
ship as prisoner, showed P.C. Hallett prisoner's boxes.
l'risoner had a very good character for 14 years, and
always carried out his duty properly.
By the Judge: A man who is convicted of felony is
turned out of the regiment, and all his past service
goes for nothing.
Mr. McKellar urged that there was no evidence of
identity; but the Judge preferred to hear Mr. Goldney.
Mr. Goldney admitted that the evident)e was slight;
but if they believed that P.C. Hallett was right in
awnsing to the prisoner, and if Mrs. Chubb was right
in swearing to the farthing, they must *envie him.
I Mr. McKellar asked if there was any case to go to
the jury.
The Judge: What I may think when I have heard
I you, I do not know—(laughter).
Mr. McKellar characterised the ease as one of the
most trumphery be ever hoard of. If they believed the
evidence of some at the witnesses. there mast have
' been • burglary, some one must have ramseaked the
; house, turned out the money and left it, and
denied off only this rotten farthing. Be urged
I that the case was altogether • mistake, for witness
I could not tell the date or the King's reign of the
farthing, only that it was mildewed. Be remarked on
the police not having examined the man's stockings,
; although he must have run a quarter of • mile through
• Die mud with his boots off. There was no insinuation
that prisoner was carrying his boots with him. In
conclusion the learned council urged that • man of so
r, good a character would not be likely to have done