The Express.
London, England, 1853-08-31 00:00:00

THE POLICE CO URTS.

MANSION-HOUSE.

William Ticket, Henry Nicholls, and Peter Basher,
alias Itiffia-ns, well-dressed men, who have been long '
known to the detective officers of the City police, were
brought in the ,•ustocly of George Scott, one of the inset
active of the force, before the Lord Mayor, charged with
robbery. Mr. Wentner appeared for Picket.
Scott said yesterday, at a quarter to 3 o'clock, as I was
on duty at London-bridge wharf I saw Busher and Ni-
cholls go on to the dumb lighter. I then saw Nicholls feel
the frot.t of tl.e dress of a lady who was with a gentli man.
Busher stood behind the lady. They then left the lady and
gentleman and hal some conversation with Picket, who
woman the lighter and whom I then first saw. They then
all three returned to the lady and gentleman, Nicholls and
Busher going in front and Picket standing close behind
the lady and etntlemen, and pushing them on to the
other two prisoners. The lady and gentleman
finding that they were so presesd, moved to
another part of the lighter. The three prisoners were
then all left together, and at that moment a Gravesend
boat came alongside, and a lady, (Mrs. Kircher) came on
the lighter from the beat, having in hie hand a bandbox.
Busher then closed on her right side and put his left hand
into her pocket, Picket being on the one side of him, and
Nichols on the other. As soon as he drew his hand from
Mrs. Kircher's pocket I took held of his hand end said,
" What base you gut here?" Ile made no reply, and 1
took this purse, with its contects, out of his hand. I called
the ft mule back and called for assistance, being then alone.
I had 'Weber in meetly, and several persons assisted in
taking the other two prisoners, whom I pointed on', saying
to the two prisoners that I charged them with being con-
cerned in picking the lady's pocket, a charge to which they
made no reply. I searched the prisoners at the station-
house—(here the witness stated the result of hie search,
which did not at alt affect the question of the accusation).
I had never seen the prisoners together before that day, but
knew them all, and had seen them in custody.
Mr. Weather having strongly questioned the statement
of the officer as to the part taken by Picket upon the oc-
caeion,
TUC Lori Mayor asked whether the witness might net
have been mistaken with respect to that prisoner ?
Scott—l am quite sure they were all three acting in con-
cert together.
Cats-examined by Mr. Wontiter—l was on the Hull
bout when I aret saw Busher and Nicholls together. I saw
Picket call Busher to him, and they all three had converse.
Lion together. They were all three together close in a ring
when toe lily came from the Gravesend boat, and in con-
versation, and I kept my eye oh them all.
Mr. Wontner—Was nut Picket looking towards you?
Witness—l did not see him looking towards me. I was
leoUing at them I suppose Picket's eye% were more intent
upon what they were about. I got hold of the hand of
Busher before he could get it to his own pocket, to which
he wished to get it. (A laugh.) I saw Nicholls and Bustler
together from thin to five minutes
.before they spoke to
Picket.
Mrs. Mary Ann Kircher (widow)—l reside at Otterdean,
in Kent, and came up by the Gravesend packet yesterday
and landed at London-bridge at half-past three o'c!ock. I
was carrying a great-coat on any arm, and a band-box in
my hand. A gentleman was with me. My pocket is in my
gown, on the right side. I had a purse in it on board, and
I paid my fare from it on the voyage and replaced it in my
pocket. The purse produced by the officer is that puree. It
contains 19.. 6d., and an envelope with an address upon it
which was written by a lad in my service, and which is also
produced by the officer.
The Lord Mayor—Were you aware of your loss before
the officer spoke to you on the subject?
Witness—l was not.
The Lard Mayor—Did you notice any of the prisoners
about the place ?

WitnesaLNo.
Th. Lord Mayor asked whether any of the detective
officers present knew the prisoners?
Michael Haydon—l know Nicholls, and had him in
custody about six months ago for robbery.
Br .tt, the detective officer—l have seen Nicholls and
Bu-her together frequently. About a month aro I turned
them both out of Cremorne Gardens.
Storey, tl:e detective officer—l have seen Picket and
Wisher together in a steamer.
Rowell, the detective officer—l have seen them all
I elm-
marity convicted.
There were several other officer+ present whom it was
concurred unnecessary to call.
Picket—l knew nothing at all of the business of the
pure. I saw Mr. Scott, the officer, at the place as I was
leaning over the rails, and I nodded to him and he nodded
to me. _ . _

Mr. Wuntner then contended that nothing had been
stand csieulatsd to show that Picket bad been acting in
concert with the other two prisoners, whatever might have
beau the e nduct of either or both of them upon the occa-
sion. It was quite evident, be said, that Picket, who knew
the officer ►t any rate PS well as the officer knew him, would
not have been so foolish as to join in a rebbety under the
eves of such ape non.
The Lord Mayor-1)o the other prisoners wish to say
anything?
80-Me—lsbell Nave it to my solicitor, at my trial.
ieholls—So shall I.

Picket—l request that what I have stated, as to my
seeing Mr. Scott and nodding to him, and his nodding to
me, may Le put down.
The Lord Mayor—Certainly, that shall be done.
The prisoners were then committed for trial.
Bartholomew Harrington, a Whir, was charged by a cam-
lonion a the same trade named Flaherty, with oavii,g
stolen two coats, • jacket, and other property.
The prisoner had it appeared been served with a j bby the
piosecutor, who had compamion upon his destitute eindi-
t:Lir, and alhiwed him to go into the house and work there.
The kindness was shown to a countryman was repaid by an
act of ingratitude, which occasioned great distress to the
poor benefactor, who was actually deprived of all the
clothes hr had cies pt those which were upon his back, by
the fellow wham he had saved from starving.
The pri•oner.who ba,l disappeared immediately alter the
rilibery, which took place several mouths ago, and never
had been seen since until Monday, when the prisoner': wife
met him at the testi rn extremity of the town and collared
, him, sail he was innocent of anything, except good
is islies towards Mr. Flaherty.
He was remanded.