The Express.
London, England, 1865-11-11 00:00:00

SURREY SESSIONS.

(Before Mr. Tilaen, Deputy Ohairmaa.)
/mph F.xall, 23, eawyer, wee Indicted for feloniously
!feeling from the person of Jobe Foster Cowling a watch,

his property.
The prosecutor was going home the worse for Uglier,
along the Old Kent-rued, when the prisoner volunteered to
see him safe to his residence, and they proceeded together
is that direction, and when near the Green Man the pri-
soner was observed to place the prosecutor up against the
well, and then leave him. Polioe-000stable Hunt, who had
noticed what bad token place, went up to the prosecutor,
who informed him that he had been robbed of hie watch:
After leaving the peuecutor in the oare of seethe' officer,
Hunt went in pursuit of the prisoner, whom he found at
his lodgings, lying with his clothes on upon a heap
of shavings, pretending to be asleep. He took the prisoner
into custody, and at the polieivetation the prosecutor idea.
tilled him as the man who b.ul taken his watch.
For the defence it wag urged %het the prosecutor was
mistaken as to the identity of the prisoner, who received an
excellent character from his master and employer the pro-
prietor of the saw mills io the Old Kent-road, and who
expressed hie surprise to hear that the prisoner was charged
with such an offence.
The Jury found the prisoner Guilty, but recommended
him to mercy on account of his previous good character.
The Deputy-Chairman said the court would act upon that
recommendation, believing that this wee the only flaw le
the prisoner's reputation. Hoping that when discharged
he would return to habits of boast industry, the sentecos
was that he be kept to herd labour in the Huns, of Correc-
tion for six calendar months.
James Violett, 19, labourer, was convicted of stealing
three pieces of aslmoo, the property of Jane Perry. The
and when followed
prisoner was seen to take the property,
and captured it was found upon him.
Several former eonvictiose for petty thefts were proved
against him by Kemp, the principal warder at the Wands-
worth House of Correction, but
The Court intimated that they would give the prisoner
another chases by sentencing him to 12 months' imprison-
ment with had labour is the House of Correction.
Joseph Roberts, 25, a powerfully built man, deurited in
the calendar is being by trade a blacksmith, was indicted
for feloniously stealing in the dwelling-house of Benjamin
Nunes, situate in the hamlet of Peoge, a Quantity of silver
plate, a loaf, and a china plate, his property.
Mary Ann Belton, a good looking young woman, who
gave her evidence with great nuitttc. sod eelf-possesaion,
was the first witness called, and in reply to Mr. Under-
down stated that she was eook in the service of the prosecutor.
and that about a quarter to 9 o'clock on the evening of the
14th October last she bid occasion to go not, leaving her
master and fellow-servants in the house. On going out of the
gate she saw a man standing there whom she believed to be
the prisoner. She retutned at five minutes past 9 o'clock,
and on passing the pantry window she found it open, and
on looking is she saw the prisoner iuside with his hand on
the plata basket. On seeing him she approached the open
window end struck the prisoner a severe blow with her
umbrella, on which be attempted to effect en egress through
the window, when she seized him by the collar and retained
hold of him until be emerged through the window on to the
lawn. She retained a resolute grasp of the prisoner, who
became very violest and knocked bet down twice, but she
still maintaised her hold until he dragged her to the gate,
when she obtained the assistance of some labouring men
who were paining, and by them the prisoner was detained
until she procured the attendance of bar muter, by whom
the prisoner was given in charge of a police-constable who
happened to come up.
Other evidence having been given.
The jury, after a moment's deliberation, returned a ver-
dict of Guilty. and several former convictions, including one
which was followed by a sentence of four years' penal ger-
vitads, were proved against the prisoner.
The Deputy-Chairman sentenced the prisoner to be kept
in penal servitude for the term of seven years.
The prisoner, on being removed from the dock, said,
"Thank you, I am only sorry I did not have the plate
basket."
The Deputy-Chairman directed the witness Mary Ann
Belton to he recalled. and addressing her, said that the
grand jury, in presenting the bill of indictment, had reenin-
mended her to the consideration of the court. In that
recommendation the court fully and entirely concurred, and
the highest pleasure and satisfaction in giving effect to
it by awarding her a reward of 21. for her courageous
conduct on the occasion.
The witness curtseyed with great modesty end withdrew.