The Express.
London, England, 1848-08-22 00:00:00

ASSIZE INTELLIGENCE.

NORTHERN CI RC U r.-Lt VERPOOL, Ana. 21.
Carers Cover.—Before Mr. Justice Creswell.
Tun PRIMON-DRRAKEtt.—A. Worralt (aged 20), J. Sind
(21), 1. Jackson (22), and Catherine Gibson (19), were in-
dicted for having at Salf..ird burglariously broken and
entered the shop of Joseph Crossley, and stolen 61. bs., all in
copper. The prisoner Worrell plear.ed guiliy. There is a
story connected with his imprisonment which may be here
repeated. Afraid, it appears, of transportation for the
offence, he attempted when in Kirkdale gaol to commit
suicide by cutting his throat. Failing in his obi ect, be resolved
to effect, if passible, his escape from gaol, and this he effected
in the most ingenious manner. Tearing off a ventilation-
plate, he used it to remove the grated bars of the window of
hie cell. As the clock was striking 11, on the night selected,
he accompanied each stroke with • blow at the bars, fearful
that Yie noise would otherwise attract the attention of the
turnkeys. He failed at that time in his endeavour, but
repeated the operation as the clock was striking twelve, and
to hisown astonishment two of the bars gave way. He then
tore his hammock into strips, and by the aid of this
descended into the gaol yard. He eventually succeeded in
clearing the outer wail, and, after several hairbreadth
escapee, reached Manchester. There he was apprehended, or
gave himself up, a week or two subsequently, and an extra
watch was, of course, placed on him on his being consigned to
his old quarters in the gaol. Notwithstanding all precautions,
however, he last week again effected his escape and was re-cap-
tured as yesterday reported in this paper. The burglary in
question it appeared had been effected on the night of Thurs.
day, the 26th of May last, in the shop of Mr. Joseph Cross-
ley, Bank-parade, Manchester. The shop is a sort of addi
tion recently made in front of Mr. Crosaley's house, has a
fiat roof, and is but one story in height. The strip was
locked up and festered as usual on the night of the
25th ; neat morning, on the shop Leing opened, a
little after six o'clock, it was discovered that the
shop had been forced, and the quantity of copper (made up
in paper packagei) had been carried away. Entrance hsd
been effected by removing two panes out of • skylight. A
door had been broken open for the purpose of exit. The
evidence against the prisoners was of a somewhat unusual
character.—The chief witness was an intimate of the pri-
soner Strut, who stated that on the evening before the
robbery was mmmitted he met the prisoners in Peel park.
Strut told him he had "a good job ripe," and proposed to
him to join in the robbery of Mr. Croseley's house. He re-
fused. They adjourned together to • public.house in the
neighbourhood of the Bank-parade, and he continued with
them till nearly 12 o'clock at night. Then wines went
home, but not till he had wat bed the prisoners effect an en-
trance into the prosecutor's shop. A waiter from the public-
house proved that all the prisoners were press rit together at the
time alleged. Mr. Allen, • neighbour of Mr. Crossley. hear-
ring a noise a little after 12 o'clock on the night in question,
put his head out of the window, and obterved a woman, re-
sembling the female prisoner, and a man looking up atten-
tively to the roof of Mr. Crossley's shop. When the prisoners
were in examination before the magistrates, and Mr. Allen
was giving his evidence, Strut said to Jackson, in an under
tone, " Did thou see them look," to which Jackson replied
in the affirmative.—The jury, after a short consult ,tion, re-
turned a verdict of Guilty against Worrell, Strut, and Jack-
son, acquitting the female Gibson. It was proved that Jack.
son had been twice, and Strut four times previously con-
victed. Worrell and Jackson were sentenced to ten years',
and Strut to fourteen years' transportation.