The Express.
London, England, 1855-10-05 00:00:00

THE POLICE COURT&

MANSION-1101M..

Samuel Britddis,elariii;;;tlll;;;;Trb•es oeneerned In
the robbery of the premises of Mews. Berens, Blosalurg,
and Co , of Cannon street West, intensive importers and
jewellers was brought before the Lord Mayor for Baal
esentlnaion.

Mr Steadman appeared for the prisoner.
Mr. J. Niles, salesmen to Messrs. Beres., Huebert, and
Co., said I have examined the watch produced. It is the
property of my employer', and forms a portion of that which
was stabs from the warehouse between the 4th and 13th of
October, 1864. I left tee stock safe on the Saturd night,
and that meta was in my charge at that time, anion the
following Monday I missed it, together with a large gush-
tit=her goods I also missed a large number of rings.
samined—l am quite sure it is the ease watch. I
was present when a man named Brans was charged with
having this wands.
Joseph Evans wee then plied, and his former evidence
having been read, and being Flatworm, was cross examined
by Mr. Blass. He said—l do not occasionally buy
thing, which do sot appertain to 'chandler's shop. I was
sot taken into custody for this offence, but it was for some
blankets which my mistress bought, and I was discharged
by the magistrate for that. The prisoner gave me the watch
on the Stu of November, end there were several other per-
ms • resist when he gave it to me Ido not knuw who
they were. I know a man named Johnson. He was not
there. I have on cessions frequented the public-house. It
was in the parlour. 1 used to go there now and then.
Mr. Steadman here said it was hie intention to call John-
son to rebut the evidence of ETIIII., who was, he contended,
equally subject to accusation with his client.
Inspector Mitchell, who has been engaged In investigating
the eireumstanees of the robbery, said to the Lord Mayor—
Johnson is now is court..

The Lord Mayor (Aeries octimalted Mr. Goodman, the
chief clerk) said—lt Is but fair to the prisoner that I should
make the fullest inquiry into the case, and as it Is intimated
to me by Inspector Mitchell that there is a person in court
who may be able to throw a light upon It, I am resolved.
whether the result prove favourable to the prissier or the
contrary, that he shall be called at coos and examined. If
that person should give any evidence which might Indu
me to alter say present view of the case, it would be but
fair to the prisoner that he should have the advantage of
Johasoe'stestimouy. I now direst that Johnson be plated
in the witness-hoz, to be examined for the prosecution.
Ballard Johnson, shairmaker, said—la the afternoon of
the 9th of November last I was in the Black Dog publio-
house, Clatrobatrest, Bethnal green. I was in trout of
the bar, sad ormasiosally in the parlour. I saw the prisoner
and Evens together in the parka,. I bad no conversation'
with them. I saw Evans leave the house • the prisoner
remained in the parlour. I lad ao conversation with him,
but I heard him say that Evans had gate to sets what was
the value of the watch at a pawnbroker's. I oaa't now say
what be said was the value, bat I think the primate said it
was about 225. It was a casual conversation I overheard,
but it was not addressed to me. I saw the prisoner there
two hours afterwards. I beard the same night of Brans
being taken into custody. I had seen Britten (the prisoner)
there several times before that night, but I never saw him
there afterwards. Ide not know whether the prisoner
knew that Beans had bees taken into custody.
Cross examined by Mr. Steadman—The prisoner is.
maloed there two hours. I was in the parlour when the
prisoner gave the Witch to Brans. I was in and out of the
parlour. The watch appeared to me to be an old-fashioned
one. They were not aware that I saw it. My opinion is
that the womb was as big main as this, but I cannot swear
to it.

Inspector Mitchell said—At about 10 minutes to 1 o'clock
on the scornieg of the 26th of September I took the pri-
souse into custody at the corner of Albion...fie-street and Bt.
Jobicstraet. I was not in uaiform. I told him I was an
inspector of the City Polito, and I charged him with having
received a quantity of watches and other things which had
been stolen from the warehouse of Messrs. Berens, Blew
berg, and Co., between the 4th and 6th of October lest, and
that I should be able to prove that he bad sold one of the
watches to a man named Evans. The prisoner said that
he had sold Evans a watch, for which he was to Ts.
noire 21. 6s. I asked him where he get the
watch from, and he said he bought it of a Jew,
at the end of Catler.strmt, Petticoat-lens, and had given
21. for it. I then took him into custody. I was ennead for
seven or eight weeks at the sod of last year in watching the
prisoner's bowie without success. The prisoner gave the
address N 0.49, Devonshire-street. I went there, and found
be was living, under the name of Lang, at No. 69,
Drvonshire-street.
H. Jacket a (pollee sergeant, 11 H) said—l took the wit-
ness Evans into moody ou the 3th of November. He was
close to a pawnbrcker's shop. I found the watch produced
upon him, bat he had no other watch in his possession.
Mr. Steadman argued strongly agsii.st the committal of
his client, and submitted that there Was as identification of
the watch beyond the mere statement of Evans.
The Lord Mayor said be felt it to be his duty to send a
ease so fell of @lubricious circurostanoss to a jury, and com-
mitted the prisoner for trial.