The Express.
London, England, 1862-03-01 00:00:00

THE POLICE COURTS.

MANSION-HOUSE.
A well dressed, middle-aged, dissipated-looking man,
named John Bilton, was brought before the Lord Mayor,
in custody of Stammers, • detective officer, charged
with felony under the 21 and 22 Vic., cap. 79, sec. 3, in
having unlawfully forged two cheques for 1001. and 501.,
by obliterating the crossings and altering the date, with
intent to defraud.
Mr. Sleigh, barrister, appeared for the prosecution ; Mr.
Leiria, jun., attended upon behalf of the prisoner.
Mr. Sleigh, in opening the CIAO, said it was one of a very
painful character. The prosecutor was • solicitor, carrying
on business in Fen-court, Fenchurch-street, and the psi
-
ironer, who was employed in his office as • clerk, stood in
the relation of brother in-law to him ; and it was needless
for him to state that considerable confidence was placed
in him. Mr. Sleigh then proceeded to state the frets of
the case, and called
Mr. Frederick Richard Thomas, who said—l am • soli.
citor, and carry on business in Fen.court, Fenchurch-street,
under the 6rm of Robert Thomas and Son. In 1860 the
prisoner assisted me in my office as clerk. I kept en
account at Messrs. Spooner and Attwood's, hankers. On
the 29th of October, 1860. I west to Brighton.
Shortly before I left London I placed is the hands of a gen-
tleman named Clements Smith a cheque far 1001., drawn in
his favour, which I produce. Previonsly to leaving I also'
drew two other cheques for 501., also in Mr. Smith'. favour,
one of which I now produce. All three of the cheques were
crossed for payment through • banker. I left the two
cheques for 501. at my private house. I had previously seen
the prisoner, and told him to go to Mr. Cornelius Smith,
and receive 1001. which he owed me, and pay it into
the banker's; then to take the two cheques to
Mr. Clements Smith, and take up my cheque
for 1001. which I had lodged with him. On the
same day I received • telegram which induced me to re-
turn to London on the same evening. I made every inquiry
about the defendant, and tried all I could to find him, but
I have never seen him since until last night, when he was
taken into custody. The cheque for 1001., which I pro-
duce,
instead of having been destroyed, has been returned to
me through my bankers as paid. The crossing has been erased,
and the words, " Payeash, R. T. and Son." written at the top
of It. I believe the writing to he in the handwriting of
the prisoner. The cheque for not., which I produce, has
likewise been returned to me through my hankers
as paid. The crossing upon this has also been erased,
and the words, "Cash, R. T. and Son." and the date has also
been altered from the sth of November to the 25th
October. The cheque was post dated. I believe the altera-
tions on this cheque to be also in the prisoner's hand-
writing.
Mr. Lewis said be should forbear to cronnezernine the
witness on this occasion, as there were &great many feats
which must come out in the end, and he would candidly
admit that he was as yet but imperfectly instructed in the
matter. He would therefore prefer, maths ease must be
remanded, that it should be remanded at the commencement
rather than at the middle. The only thing he would
trouble his lordship about was the question of bail.
Mr. Sleigh said be left that question ettlvely in his lord-
ship's bands. He should make no objection, and Mr.Thesnaa
was quite willing that the defendant should be admitted to
The Lord Mayor sad ea Mr. Thomas bad no objection to
the prisoner being held to bail. he should accede to the re-
quest of Mr. Lewis.
The prisoner was then remanded, being admitted to bail,
himself in 1001., and two sureties in 50/. each.
WANDSWORTH.

Selina Smith, the young gipsy woman, was brought up on
remand on the charge of telling fortunes.
Inspector Lovelace handed to the magistrate another
communication be had received from the Linooleshire con-
stabulary, stating that the prisoner's description did not
meripegwith that of the woman they wanted on • charge of
fortunes, but they believed that she belonged to the
game family.
Mr. Duyrnan inquired of Dr. King, the prosecutor, if he
bad received a satisfactory analysis of the contents of the
bottle from his friend at Whitby
Dr. King said as yet be had received nothing algid rani.
He had carefully examined it, and found what the primmer
stated was in it.
It may be here mentioned that the prisoner has never
stated precisely what was the nature of the powder she
mixed in the bottle.
Mr. Doyenne, bearing that the servants were present,
ordered them to stand up. He told them that they had
both behaved very ill iu the matter. It was the duty of
servants to protect their masters and mistresses from im-
position. They had not done so but had encouraged the
prisoner to work upon the credulity of their mistress, partly
for their own enjoyment, and partly for • questionable
purOom
One of the servants essayed to speak, but his worship told
her that it was what she had stated, and she could not now
free herself from her statement.
Mr. Duman thou addressed the prisoner, and said that
her conduct had been exceedingly wicked. If she slimmed
that the bottle of mixture would have a poisonous effect,
then she was guilty of secretly attempting to murder a
husband • of all crimes that of secret poisoning being the
most detestable. If it was true, as she had stated, that
the mixture was not poisonous, then she had been guilty of
mem impiety, as she bad evoked the Almighty to the
making of a lie. Any way her conduct had been very fad,
sod he should inflict the full punishment for fortune telling.
He then committed her for three months with hard labour,
and said that if anythicg should be found in the mixture of
• suspizioug or deleterious character. she would be put on
her trial for a much more serious offence. He recom-
mended Dr. King to try experiments with the mixture on
some small animal.
Dr. King laid he intended to try experiment' on a small
uke): Dayman was anxious that he should, and that the
supenutendent of police should also make experiments. In
this matter it was bust to be satisfied there was nothing in
the mixture. In a case of so odious a nature, they could
not be too safe. He told the prisoner again if they found
anything unsatisfactory she would be tried for • serious
offence.
The prisoner said if they gave her the bottle of stuff she
would drink it, as there was no harm in it.
Mr. Dayman said she was punished now for telling
fortunes.
The prisoner said the servants asked her if she could tell
fortunes. and she replied, "Yea" She had no thought of
telling fortunes until they asked her the question.
The officers of the court then removed the prisoner.
A gentleman then rose and said that Mrs. King had not
been represented.
Mr. Dayman thought Mrs. King's name should not be
mentioned.
Dr. King concurred in that opinion.
The gentleman said that Mrs. King had a complete
answer.
Mr. Dayman observed it was clear that Mrs. King's per.
wants had practised on her credulity of mind, and prompted
the prisoner as to what she should say. He had no doubt
it was In an imposition from beginning to end. •
The gentleman said it was very unpleasant for Mrs.
King, who was • very respectable lady.
Mr. Dayman said it was clear Mrs. King had no serious
intention, for she refused to pay for the bottle of mixtem.
and had the prisoner bundled out of her home.
Dr. King said that all he bad to complain of woo the
mischief brought into a family by fortune-telling.
The parties then withdrew and Inspector Lovelace wee
mimed to acquaint the superintendent with hie worship's re-
quest that he should make experiments with the mixture
n co-operation with Dr. King.

THE FATAL BOILER EXPLOSION ILA DUDLEY.
—Two more of the sufferers by the boiler implosion, re.
ported in our yesterday's impression, bays died from the
injuries received, and two others are not expected to sur-
vive.