The Express.
London, England, 1860-09-26 00:00:00

THE POLICE COURTS.

MANSION HOUSE.

A young man who gave the ;sin; of George Smith, but
refused Ina address, was yesterday brought before Sir R.
W. Madan, charged with attempting to rob ► lady named
Louisa Fleet In the course of the case an incident occurred
which showed the extraordinary mistakes that are some-
times made with regard to the identity of individuals.
It appeared from the statement of the complainant that
on Monday afternoon about half-past four o'clock she was
near Crosby-hall, in Bishopagate-street, waiting to cross the
read, when she felt a kind of snatch at her watch chain, and
she looked down and saw the prisoner's hand upon her
chain, and be was at the same moment seised by some one
from behind. He got away, however, and was making off,
but she followed him, and ho began to run when she gave an
alarm and he was taken into custody. The tom-
t added that the watch was partly drawn
tbota her pocket, but the chain caught in some part of her
dress, and this occasioned a sort of jerk, which attracted her
attention and led to the prisoner's attempt at robbery being
frustrated. . _

iii:iir7Prichard, a person who is in the service al a mer-
cantile firm in itishopsimteetreet, said he sew what occurred

in the first instanoe; and when 'the prisoner ran away he
followed him and told him that he bad robbed a lady. The
reply he made was that it was quite a mistake.
Police.conatable Archer' 661, said he took the prisaoer
into custody, when he said his name was George Snuth, but
refused to say where he lived.
Sir R. Iftr, asked the prisoner what reason he bad for
refiudng to say where he lived.
He replied that he did not wish to disgrace his family.
Sir R. Quden—l see you have given the name of George
Smith. Is that your real name?
Prisoner—lt is.

iiir7frichaidhere stated that a person was in court whom
he believed to be an accomplice of the prisoner. He saw
him close by him, and he also saw him try to speak to the
prisoner after he wee in the custody of the policeman.
Sir B. Carden inquired if he could identify this man, and
he replied that he could, upon which directions were given
that he should be taken into custody.
This was done, and the party referred to was placed in
front of the dock. He was a respectable looking young
man, spoke with a strong Soot& accent, and ap-
peared highly indignant at the treatment to which he was
'objected,
Sir B. Carden asked Mr. Prichard whether be was quite
sure the party who had been just brought forward was the
same person who endeavoured to communicate with the
prisoner Smith.
He replied that be was. He had on a hat at that time,
and not such a cap as the one he was now wearing.
Sir IL Carden then put the same question to the police-
man, and he gave a similar answer, and said he was sure the
person now before the court was the mine who tried to
*peak to the prisoner as he was taking him to tte station-
house, and he pushed him away.
Sir B. Carden asked the person referred to what brought
him to the Mansion House

He mid he had merry come from cariosity. He was on
a visit to London, and being accidentally in the City, he
had walked it to see what was going on.
Sir B. Carden observed that it certainly wee rather an
odd coincidence if this was really so, that two witnesere
should speak so positively to his beha the mail who was in
company with a person who had attempted to oommit
robbery.
The person indignantly repudiated the charge, and pee
his own name and address, and also mentioned the name of
a clerk in a first-rate City house, who, he mid, was well ac-
quainted with him. All further allusion to the parties re-
ferred to is omitted for obvious reasons.
Sir B. Carden asked the gentleman to sit down for a short
time while a communication was made to the firm whose
name bad been mentioned, and he mid it would be more
satisfactory for all parties that the matter should be
clear•
u.
In •ed
short time one of the clerks belonging to the firm
that had been referred to attended, and he at once recog-
nised the supposed culprit, and it was evident that there had
been an estraordinary mistake on the part of the con-
stable and the witness. _ .

Mr. Prichard got into the witness-box, and saki be was
now perfectlyaatuded that hewn miatekeu, and he begged to
express his regret at what had occurred, and apologised to
the party to whom he had caused the inconvenience.
Sir R. Carden said it was clearly a very extraordinary in-
dance of mistaken identity, and there was no doubt that
both the policeman and Mr. Prichard were in error in
supposing that the gentleman now before the onurt we.
la any way connected with the prisoner. He then stl7
dressed the party referred to, and said that, according to
his representation, it was his first visit to the Mansion
Rouse, and ho no doubt he would remember it. (A
laugh.)
The gentleman replied that there wall no fear of that.
He added, that he hoped his name would not go before the
public in connexion with such an unpleasant transaction.
Sir R. Carden said there was no fear of that.

The prisoner, George Smith, was then sentenced to three
months' imprisonment and herd labour.

BOW-STREET..

Ann Taylor, the cripple who was discharged en Monday
by Mr. Henry for being found drunk and incapable
of taking care of herself, was again placed at the bar
charged with creating a
_disturbance at St. Gilees Work-
home. As she was placed In the dock she artistically plated
her watch prominently in view and made a carboy to the
uttlirter of the workhouse said—On Monday night the
prisoner, in a mate of intoxication, came to the house, and in
an authoritative manner demanded admimion. I told her
she could not Le admitted in the state she was then in,
upon which she commenced using very bad language. A
crowd very won congregated, and then she began to got
way violent. She demanded to know why she was ex-
cluded the benefits of the workhouse, when site knew that
there were plenty of thieves, concubine", and such hlce,
faking It easy therein. After she had kept up the die-
' turbines for sone time the police had to be sent fee, and
with difficulty she was token to the station-house.
The police-Mbeer eard—On Monday evening' found the pri-
mmer in a state of intoxication near St. Giles's Workhouse.
She was rolling about on the ground and exclaiming loudly
against being excluded from the workhouse. I melted her
to get up and go away or I should ham to take her to the
station-house. She told me I could do that and be --.
I attempted to help her up, but she again commenced using
bed language, and became so outrageous that I was ccem
palled to seed to the policieetation fur the stretcher, upon
which she was conveyed to the lock-up.
Magistrate—Well, prisoner, is thus the way you keep
your promisee! I only discharged you on Monday, and been
you are spin for the some misconduct.
Prisoner—Your gentlemanly treatment yesterday pro-
duckA such an effect on me that I am afraid I allowed my-
self to get • little excited.
Magistrate—You mean drank.
Primmer—l how as objetdos to that farm, but If pier

kaltregisibledrunk shall not deny it. (
Why. you had to be conveyed to the Matto*.
I beim co a dretcher.
- - - -

Prisener—lt does not follow, therefore, that I was drunk.
(I,eter.) I was very badly used at the workhouae, and
I letdown through my lameness.
Magistrate—That was the excuse you gave yesterday, and
I ii.rged you because you promised for the future to
take nothing stronger than water.
Prisoner— Did I. (Laughter.) Well, if you say so, I
suppose I did. My brain must have wandered a little yes-
ter&y. However, tide I will my, it shan't occur again.
Magistrate—Oh, I cannot allow you to go away thin time.
Prisoner—ain't you! Well, I'm very sorry for that. I
think you can if you like. Think of my affliction. Don't
sand me to prison. What's the good of doing so! I will keep
m .rats faithfully for the future.
no, I cannot listen to your promisee.
Duns n people cannot be allowed to create disturbances
and use bad language with impunity.
Prisoner (with a look of astonishment)—Bad language! I
me bad language l I would very much sooner it be said I
picked a pocket than that I used bed . Oh, there
must be some mistake about that. (Ia rte.)
Magistrate—There is no mistake ; two of the witnesses
heir.
I shall send you to prison this time.
Prisoner—That will be very wrong—very wrong indeed.
(Laughter.) Of come you an do as you like, but if you
do that it will be very wrong. (Laughter.)
Magistrate—l shall inflict a fine of 10s., or in default com-
mit you to prison for moven day..
Prisoner—la that your decision !
Magistrate—Yes, certainly.
Prisoner—Very well. There's somebody above that will
judge you some of these days. (Laughter.) You'll get a
longer time than seven days when it comes to your turn.
(Loud laughter.) Good morning, dr.

THE REGISTRATIONS.

CITY OF LONDON.

The revision of the lista of voters for the City of
Loudon was resumed yesterday by Mr. Thomas Young
MoChrietie, the revising brnister, in the Court of Common
Pleas, Guildhell.
. .

The lista set down for revision were those of the parishes
comprised in the wards of Bread-street, Vintry, Queenhithe,
Candlewick, and Bridge.
The names of several parties objected to were spin ex-
punged, who had given a different number to their
ftm what appeared on the register and the rate-boob riasnud
during the two previous days the numbers expunged by the
liberals have been 55, and by the conservatives 121, the
latter having withdrawn 47, and the former eight objections.