The Express.
London, England, 1847-09-27 00:00:00

CENTRAL CRIMINAL COURT.

itt.D COMM—Bakes Mr. Baron Plate and Mr. Juenee
Myna= ay a 11•KI•C.—Thonsas Macintosh Davidson
was placed at the bar, to plead to an indictment charging
him with the murder of Lewis Mugford, by stabbing bile
with a knife. The prisoner, who is an aged, gentlemanly-
looking man, was attended while in the dock by two of the
turnkeys of the gaol. He stared vacantly around him, and
did not seem at all to be conscious of his position. On his
being called upon by Mr. Straight to plead to the indict.
meat, Mr. Bodkin rose, and said he appeared for the unfor-
tunate gentleman at the bar, who, ho was instructed, was in
such a state of mind at the time he committed the act im-
puted to him, as would clearly make hint not legally respon-
sible, and at the present moment, for the same reason, he
was Equally incompetent to plead, or to make any answer to
the charge. He had, therefore, to apply to his lordship to
direct a jury to be empannelled to try that issue.—
A jury was accordingly sworn to try whether the prisoner
was of sound mind, and in a fit state to plead Cr not —Mr.
Bodkin then again addressed the jury, and said this was
rather an unusual proceeding, but under the provisions of an
act of parliament of Oeo. I l 1., where a person was in such a
state of mind as to render him unconscious of what was going
on, or incapable to make any answer to the charge againatiini,
and a July fonnd a verdict to that effect, the mart was em-
powered to take such steps as would secure the safe custody
of the accused person. The accused, in this instance, had
been for several Tease under restraint, and up to the
time is question he had conducted himself in a per-
fectly harmless manner, and, indeed, always appeared
to be very much attached to the unfortunate deceased,
who was his keeper. At the time of the unhappy transaction,
however, the prisoner appeared to be seized by a sudden
paroxysm of rage and violence, and while in that condition
he committed the act imputed to him.—Mr. Cutfield, a sur-
geon, said he had been in the habit of attending medically
upon the prisoner for two years. He had been placed by his
trustees, under an order of the Court of Chancery with a
gentleman named Holmes, at Tottenham, and witness saw
him at his house on the day of this occurrence. The pri-
soner was in • constant state of imbecility, perfectly uncon-
scious, and had not the least control over his actions—Mr.
31`Murdo, the surgeon of Newgate, gave similar evidence,
and expressed his opinion that the prisoner was not at that
time in such a state of mind as would enable him t, plead to
an indictment. —Mr. Oldney, the assistant- surgeon, gave the
same testimony. The jury immediately returned their ver-
dict, that the prisoner was of unsound mind, and not fit to
plead to an indictment. —Mr. Baron Platt gave directions
that the prisoner should be detained in safe custody until
her Majesty's pleasure should be made known respecting
him.
Tug MARYLEBONE DIORDEIL—Mary Anne Hunt, who
was convicted at the August sessions of murdering an old
woman named Stowell, was plated at the bar.—The unfor-
tunate woman appeared to be enduring great mental suffer-
ing, and was hardly able to support herself while in the
dock.—Mr. Baron Platt, addressing the prisoner, 'eked her
whether she had anything to say in stay of execution of her
sentence.—The prisoner, en a faint voice, replied, " I believe
that I am in the family wiy."—The learned judge then
ordered • jury of matrons to be empanneled, to try whether
such was the case.—She was then removed, and, at a later
period of the day, was again placed at the bar, when a jury
of twelve matrons was sworn to determine the question
whether the prisoner was in the condition alluded to or not.
—Mr. Baron Platt, addressing them, said that they were
summoned to that court as a jury of matrons, to perform a
very solemn duty, which was, to ascertain whether the pri-
soner then standing at the bar was pregnant. They would use
their best skill to ascertain that fact; and, having dons so,
it would be their duty to return a verdict upon the oath they
had taken, If they should think it necessary to require the
amistanoe of a surgeon they were at liberty to have it.—The
jury then retired into the gaol with the prisoner, and about
half an hour afterwards returned into court.—The fore.
matron said that their verdict was, that she was not.—Baron
Platt : Let the prisoner be removed. The law must take its
coarse.
FORORaY.—George Hayward, 19, clerk, was indicted for
feloniously forging and uttering an order for the payment of
891. 45., with intend to defraud Mews. Jones Loyd and Co.
—lt appeared from the evidence, that on the 22nd March a
cheque for 891. 41., purporting to be signed by Mr. Murray,
one of the customers of the bank, was presented, and mud
with a 601. note and cash. On the 20th March, before this
tzansactien, en order was sent to the hank, apparently signed
by a gentleman named Peel, who kept an acaowit there, for
a new cheque-book, which was delivered, and it appeared
that the forged cheque had been taken from the book
so obtained. In order to connect the prisoner with
the transaction It was shown that he bad formerly
been in the write of a solicitor named Patterson,
who had beenTer with Mr. Peel, and thus had an
opportunity of that gentleman's signature ; and it
appeared that the • Winn of his signature to the order for
the cheque book was so excellent, that some of the bank
clerks said that if they were not aware of the forgery they
should still believe it to be his writing. It appeared that
the 501. note was changed at the Bank of England for gold
on the same day it was obtained from the bankers, and
although the prisoner was not [destined as the person who
so 'Amapa it, it was proved that the dctltioai address at the

back of it, Benny Simmons, 13, Belvidere-street, Lambeth,
was his handwriting, and Mr. Patterson, his late employer,
also swore that, to the best of his belief, the forged cheque
was in the prisoner's handwriting. It was likewise
shown that about the period of the forgery the pri.
Boner was seen in places un of a good deal of money,
and also a cheque book, and that he told a young ,
man named Capes, that his grandfather bail given
him 2001., and he talked of setting up in business as a cigar
dealer. The prisoner and Capes, it appeared, went to the
Isle of Wight together, and had a week's frolic, during
which time the prisoner spent 121. and his companion 61. of
his own money. In answer to a question put by the court
this witness also said that in June he saw the prisoner in
possession of u much as 701., and a gold watch and a quan-
tity of jewellery.—The jury, after a shortdeliberation, found
the prisoner Guilty.
He was then arraigned upon a second indictment, charg-
ing him with forging and uttering an order for 1401.,
with intent to defraud Messrs. Olyn, Halifax, and Co., and
William Akzatides, 20, a genteelly dressed youth, was in-
dicted as an accessory after the fact. In other counts, the
intent was said to be to defraud John Fenton. Mr. Fenton
is a wine merchant cursing on business In Mark-lane, and
in the early part of June he received a letter addressed from
-Wormwood-street, end purporting to be signed by a person
named Charles Smith, making some inquiry of him respect-
ing a vessel called the Henrietta, with which be was supposed
to have some connexion, and requesting an answer to be sent
to the address specified. It appeared that this letter was
merely an artifice to get paten= of his eirenature, and Mr.
Fenton sent an answer which he signed in his usual manner,
and it appeared that the prisoner Hayward, who
represented himself to be Charles Smith, called for and ob-
reined possession of this answer. Very soon afterwards an
order, as in the former case, was sent to the bankers for a
cheque-book, and on the same day the forged cheque in
qurs.ion was brought to the bank, and so exactly was Mr.
Fenton's signature imitated that, although it appeared the
attention of one cf the clerks MU specially directed to it, he
declared it to be " all right," and it was accordingly paid by
two 501. Bunk of England notes and forty sovereign. The
cheque-book that heti been obtained by mesas of the forged
order, was afterwards found by a policeman in the curiae-
way in Ctimin-street, Spitalfields, and upon its being
examined nearly every leaf was found to have the name of
John Fenton written upon it, as though a person had been
practising to imitate the signature, and in the lodgings
of the prisoner Hayward was found some blottiegimper
with the name of John Fenton blotted upon it.
With regard to the other prisoner, Alexander, it wa. proved
in evidence that he was the constant companion of Hayward,
I and it was shown that, after the forgery, he went to a person
' named Herbert, and egreed to take a chandler's shop of his
wife, for which he was to give 301., and he paid as deposit
the sum of 81., and received the difference of the SOL note,
which turned out to be one of those given in exchange for
the forged cheque ; and it also appeared that he gave a ficti-
tious name and address—The witness Capes was recalled,
and he said that about the month of June he saw the pri-
soners frequently, in company with other young' gents,' at
the Pavilion Theatre, and upon one ceeasion he asked them
if they had seen Forrester, the officer, looking about, and
Hayward shortly afterwards told him that he had
got into a mess, and did not know how he should
get out of it, and he told witness that if ever
he was asked whether he had seen him with a gold
watch and a large sum of money, he was to be sure to say
he had n seen him with more than a few shillings.—The
learned counsel for the prisoners addressed the jury in their
behalf ; and Mr. Metcalfe, for Alexander, called the atten-
tion of the jury to the circumstance that the only
fact proved against him was the getting rid of the
501. note, in which, he said, he might have acted
quite innocently at the instigation of the other prisoner.
—Witnesses were then called who gave Alexander a very
good character for honesty, and one of his former employers
expressed his readiness to take him again into his service if
he should be acquitted on the present occasion.—Mr. Baron
Platt having addressed the jury, they retired, and, after deli-
berating some time, returned a verdict of Guilty against
Hayward, and Acquitted the other prisoner. —The learned
judge then addressed Hayward, and, after remarking upon
the aggravated character of his offence, and the art and can-
ning with which it had been consummated, sentenced him
to be transported for life.
THIRD COI RT.—Before Mr. Com. Bullock and Aid. Sir C. Marsha.

• CONCEALMENT •
Or BIRTH TOR THREE YEARS.
Jane Inch, aged 33, wu indicted for unlawfully con-
cealing the bgth of a male child. The facts of
this case have recently appeared in the police news.
The occupants of the house in which the prisoner lived Ire-
fluently complained of an abominable stench, and at length
it was found to proceed from a box belonging to:the prisoner,
in which were found the decomposed remains of a child which
had been concealed therein—it appears for nearly three
years. The prisoner admitted that she was the mother
of the child, but said it was still-born, and there was no
evidence to the contrary.—Verdict, Guilty. Sentence, three
months' imprisonment.
A LADY THI ED.—Catherine Hessian, a p, son of fuhion-
able exterior, was indicted for stealing, at Or,enwich, a pair
of fancy bellows, a watchguard, and a china eandleatick, the
property of Philip Krechner. The prisoner, it appeared,
went into the prosecutor's shop under the pretence of pur-
chasing some trifling article, when she managed to pilfer the
articles in question. The case was clear. Guilty. Two
months' hard labour.

POLICE.-SATufwAY.

GUILDHALL.--SeNtranEMovinsairoi.—The Commis-
sioners of Sewers, by their solicitor, Mr. Tyrrell, brought
two cases of dangerous nuisance under the notice of the
court. —Mr. Haynes, of Belgrave•place, was summoned in
respect to four houses in Swan-lane, Thames-street. One of
the tenants appeared on behalf of the landlord to state that
be was quite willing to remedy the evil by opening • com-
mutsimWa from the cempools to the Newer; the experiment •
had been tried et one of the houses with the result that at 1
high water the Thames flowed up the sewer into the cellar,
till the depth of the water was sometimes three feet. This ,
annoyance must be removed by the commissioner, before 1
they could expect a communication to be opened to the other I
houses. The nuisance had been abated by removing the
soil.—Alderman Johnson observed that the evil complained
of could be remedied by placing a trap at the mouth of the
sewer. The commissioners would readily do this. An order
was made for the abatement of the nuisance, to be sus.
pended till the parties could petition the Court of Com- ,
nussioners.—Mrs. Webb, of Park-place, Islington, was
summoned in respect to a cesspool in Windsor.
street, Bishopsgate-street. A gentleman, who appeared
in her behalf, said he was ready to amend the matter com-
plained of. She had expended 101. in opening a communica-
tion to the cowmen sewer; but it was discovered that the
opening was made at a point seven feet above the bottom of
the cesspool. An order was made to enforce compliance, if
there should be any disposition to evade the prompt appli-
cation of the proper remedy.
NON-PRODUCTION OP RAILWAY BOOXS.—MS. Marriner,
the secretary of the North Wales Railway. was summoned
for the fourth time, for refusing to show the books to Mr.
Anther, a shareholder. Mr. Marriner did not appear, and
the summons could not be shown to have reached oim. Mr.
Chadwick, the chairman, was however present, and explained
thee Mr. Archer wanted to see the names of the persons to
mhos' 20,0001. had been loaned. This was the surplus, after
ee preliminary charges of advertising, surveying, and
a bill. The information was refused, as it would
the credit of the borrowers, who would rather return
the money at once than have their names exposed. Mr.
Chadwick considered it a sort of bubble company, and that
the sooner the shareholders got back the residue of their
money the better. He proposed to divide, and wind up in a
month. Mr. Archer expressed a doubt if he should get any-
thing, and persisted in requiring the information. The
magistrate was unable to force any disclosure, and the matter
dropped.
ROBBERY AT A POBT-OFPICE.—J. Martin, aged 18, was
re-examined, charged with robbing his employer, Mr. Farley,
who keeps a toy shop and pmtffice is Fleet-street.—Mr.
Farley dated that he bad been aware, for a long time, that
be was being robbed, but he could not tell how. He then
went on to repeat the evidence he gave at the previous exami-
nation reported in our paper of Saturday. lie had placed
unlimited confidence in the prisoner, whom he took as an
errand boy two year' ago, and as he was a sharp lad he de-
-1 termined to advance him. He would forgive the prisoner
if he would tell what had become of the money he had
stolen. He could not have spent the 301. he took a fortnight
ago.—The case was adjourned.
MARLBOROUGH-STREET. ALLEGED ltiatist.
PS.WHING.—E. Howell, a person of very respectable exterior,
was charged with having illegally pawned &quantity of stays
I entrusted to him to sell.—Mr. A. Vliee, of Elberfeld, stated
that he was a stay merchant. He engaged the prisoner as
an English agent, and entrusted him with 252 pates of stays
to dispose of. This transaction occurred at the end of last
year; he had since undyed 201. from the prisoner. On the
return of complainant from Germany, a few weeks ago, he
discovered that some of his stays were selling at different
shops, and found that the prisoner had deposited 220 pairs of
stays with Mr. Fleming, pawnbroker, of John-street, for a
sum of money, on condition that they should be forfeited if
the money lent was not returned within six months. The
money had not been returned and the stays had become for-
feited. For the prisoner it was contended that the charge
could not be sustained. The prisoner had pledged the goods
for a certain sum ; but then the owner of the stays had re-
ceived this sum. Had the prisoner sold the goods and
pocketed the proceeds he could only have been rued for
LDS debt.—Mr. Hardwick postponed his decision until next
week.
WORSHIP-STREET. IMPUDENT ROBBERIES. —J.
Manning and C. Clancy were charged with robbery. On the
25th ult. the prisoners called at the home of Mr. Weadon
dealer in trucks, in James-street, Bethnal-green, to whom;
Manning introduced himself as an unfortunate tradamum,
who had fallen into difficulties, and having enlisted his sym-
pathies with an affecting statement of the &trees to which
he was reduced, in consequence of his goods having been
taken in execution, entreated him with great earnestness to
purchase three trucks,i which had fortunately escaped the
rapacity of his creditors' and the proceeds of which would
be the means of reeruinghis wife and family from the work-
house. Theiiiszlicanon was acceded to, and the prisoners
forthwith re to the shop of a greengrocer named
Squires, in Finsbury-market, and one of his tracks,
which they promised should b• returned in an hour, and
conveyed it at ones to Weadon, who purchased it of them
for 30s. The prisoners next proceeded to the shop of a
, named Calcott, in Seven Dials, where they
grires!dngtTreoMore trucks in a similar manner, and afterwards
sold them to Weadon for Si. lbs.—The prisoners were fully
committed for trial.
CHARGE OP SWINDLING.—J. Brooke, alias Sector, WM
charged with swindling. About the middle of month
he opened a shop "in the general line," in Crossoneost, St
George's in the East, and immediately waited wan nreesel
bakers, to whom he represented that he ha Ova 5111. he
the business of his shop, and speed with them to 'apply
hint with bread, flour, Itc., each day's delivery to be pal