The Express.
London, England, 1860-04-04 00:00:00

CENTRAL CRIMINAL COURT.

OLD COURT.—ArRIL 3.
(Before the Common Berjeant.)
Mow Clare, 15, and Frederick Edhooter., 16, pleaded
guilty to stealing 52/., the money, of Edward Mappin.
Mr. Dickey was instructed for the prosecution ; Mr. Met-
calfe appeared for the prisoner Clare.
The prosecutor in this case is the well-known cutler, and
the prisoner Clare was employed as cashier in his establish-
ment, and it was his duty to band over the whole of the
money he received during the day every evening at the
conclusion of business. It appeared that one day, about ten
minutes before the usual hour when the prisoner should
have handed over the money, he bolted out of the shop
without either hat or coat on, taking with him all
the money he had received, which amounted to
more than fat, and nothing more was hoard of him
until some days sftennirds, when he was taken
into custody at Jersey, in company with the other prisoner,
and two watches; soda portion of the stolen money were
found In their pees/lesion.
Mr. Metcalfe said he wail instructed to state that Clare
had been in the service of the utor for 18 months, and
he was a very respectable and had a good character
until this transaction. He believed the fact was that a
number of very bad boys had got hold of him and had in.
dared him to commit this offence, and since this discovery
one of them, a boy named Grant, bad actually committed
suicide.

11.Mappin said he believed that what had been stated by
the learned counsel was correct, and he wished to recom-
mend Clare to the merciful consideration of the court. He
added that he had been rubbed three times within the last 18
months.
Mr. Metcalfe remarked that there was no doubt that
crime was greatly on the increase all over the country, and
the reason was that people would not prosecute unrfer the
present scale of allowance to witnesses.
The Common Berjeant then addressed the prisoners, and
after ■ feeling admonition as to their future course of life,
he sentenced them to be imprisoned and kept to haul
labour for six calendar months.

Richard Geddes, who wee last session convicted of em.
beulement as secretary of the Mercantile Marine Associa-
tion, was brought up and sentenced to three 'months' im-
prisonment.
Thomas S , 30, carrier, wee indicted for feloniously
wounding Thomas Paddock, with intent.
Mr. Platt prosecuted, and Mr. Sleigh defended.
Upon the learned counsel having briefly stated the case,
Mr. Sleigh said that he should not deny the facta, bug
submit to a verdict for an unlawful wounding, which in fact
the offence amounted to.

The Oommon Serjeant said it would he necesaiu7 to have
the facto from the prolocutor.
Thomas Paddock, the pugilist, was then called, end stated
that on the 3rd of March he we, at the Oambriaa Stores
kept by Nat. Laugh:an. He had been out all night drink-
ing, and had some words with the prisoner about some
money and a knife which the prisoner refused to give up,
and a scuffle took place between them, when the prisoner
drew a knife and stabbed the prosecutor on the bead and
the chin.

_.__
The jury found the prisoner Guilty of unlawfully wound-
ing, and he was sootenoed to nine months' imprisonment.

THE POLICE COURTS.
LiNSION-HOUSE.

George Taylor, 27, described as of 19, Grey Eagle-street,
Spite Melds, weever, was charged with being concerned with
twoother men in burglariously breaking into the warehouse
of Messrs. Burr and Son, No. 12 King-street, Cheeped.,
on the 19th August last, and stealing therefrom 37511 w. of
silk, value 50W., and he was also further charged with
violently assaulting the officers on the 12th October last,
with intent to resist his lawful apprehension.
The circumstances of the awe muy be briefly stated:
On the morning of the 911th August last, Mr, Surr, on going
to hie warehouse, discovered that the outer locks
had been tampered with, awl Wag unable to open
them rent for a locksmith, with whose ski an entry
was effected, and it was then found that a panel
had been cut out of an inner door, so as to give MCCOMB
to the warehouse and couuting.house, and that •
large quantity of silk had been carried off, as well
as a small sum of money, which had been left the over-
night in the cash-boa. Au active inquiry was at once in-
stituted by the police, and it resulted that a cart with
three men in it had been seen to drive away from the street-
door early in the morning ; while a clue was fallen upon
which led to negotiations between • Mr. Loveridge, a silk
factor, and a man, name unknown, for the purchase of •
quantity of silk, which was supposed to be that stolen.
This man took Mr. Loveridge to an obscure street in
Betlinal.green, for the purpose of seeing the goods in bulk ;
but the precaution had been taken to secure the attendance
of detectives Knight and Funnel], and • third officer, who,
as soon as they saw a fitting opportunity, dropped quietly
upon three men as they were hnoging the silk in parcels to
the cab, which had conveyed Mr. Loveridge to the spot.
Of these three men the prisoner was one, and a man named
Angus another ; but when the officers attempted to appre-
hend them, there was a rush of disreputable characters
to the rescue, and Angus only was secured,
the unknown man escaping without difficulty, while
the prisoner, who was tackled by Knight, struggled
desperately, rolling with the officer over and over er
peatedly ; and at last breaking sway, he rushed through •
grocer's shop and escaped by jumping through • back
window, while Knight in attempting to follow struck him-
self against the door post, and fell with great violence.
Angus was committed for trial from this court and eon.
fenced to 15 years' penal servitude at the September
serious of the Central Criminal Court, but nothing more
was IS= of the prisoner or the third man until the 12th of
October, when Haight and Funnell found the former at •
house in Ayr-street, Bethnal-green, but were antin un.uc•
maul in attempting to arrest him, as he resisted them
with grist determination, and was spier sided in his

efforts to escape by a mob of thieves and excited women.
More fortunate on the thirst attempt, Knight, with five
other officers, found him iu bed, secured him, and conveyed
him wifely to the station-house. When there the prisoner
denied that he had been in any way connected with the rob-
bery, but admitted that he was a great fool to have any-
thing to do with the silk, although he thought at the time
that he might as well make a shilling or two through
finding a buyer aa anyone else.
He wee now remanded for a week.
Received for the poor-box—lt, from H. E. C.
GUILDHALL.
- - -

Robert Cox, a journeyman tailor, living at 6, Apollo-court,
Fleet-street, appeared before Alderman Humphery upon a
summons charging him with having unlawfully in his pos-
session a quantity of jewellery andother property, to the
value of nearly 100 f., which was supposed to have been stolen.
Mr. Lewis Hoffman, for the prosecution, stated that this
summons was takes nut at the ins once of Mr. Palmer,
of Gloucester-road, Pimlico, in whose house Captain
Thompson, who had *erred for many years as a non-com.
missioned officer in the 16th Lancers, and had borne a
part in the Peninsular wars, as well as at the battle of
Waterloo, raided for some years past. On the 13th of
March Captain Thompson left home and it was known
that he had in his possession a gold watch and chain of
the value of 401., a valuable gold ring, gold eye-glass,
spectacles, and other articles of value in addition to, as was
supposed, about 301. or 401. in Lash, as he always carried
the whole of his ready money about with him. On the
evening of that day he met with the defendant Cox, and
they were last seen together between nine and tee o'clock,
leaving the Haunch of Venison Tavern, in Bell-yard,
Fleet-
street. At that time they were both in a beastly state of
intoxication. At shout twelve o'clock at night use of
Cox 's lodgers was returning to his room when be heard
means proceeding from the cellar stairs, and be there found
Captain Thompson lying in a state of insensi-
bility, with a wound on the head, from which blood
was issuing. Co. was found in bed, drunk, and Captain
Thompson laving been seen in hie company, was removed
to his room, where be lingered until the 18th, when
he died. Oox procured a certificate, in a very irregular
way, and was about to have the body interred at the ex-
pense of the parish, when Mr. Palmer, upon whom Cox had
called to give information of the death, insisted upon the
body being taken to the captain's lodgings, in Pimlico. The
circumstances attending Captain Thom peon's death were of
such a suspicious character that Mr. Palmer at once gave
information to the coroner, who held an inquest, at which
Cox was examined. He said he was too drunk to account
for the captain being found in his house, ur for the wound
which had caused his death, but he claimed the property,
alleging that the deceased was his brother, and before his
death gave him the keys, and told him that if anything
happened to him everything he had was to be his. This
the learned counsel said was illegal as a will, even if the
deceased did make such a provision • but that and the
alleged relationship were simply absurd, as he should prove
that from the nature of the wound the deceased could not
have retained his senses for en instant after it was inflicted,
and that Cox never saw the captain in his life until they
met on the day in question. Mr. Palmer, although no re-
lative, was a large creditor, and it was his intention, in
the event of discovering no next of kin, for whom they
were now advertising, to administer to the deceased's pro-
perty to liquidate his own claims; bet in the meantime it
was desirable that the defendant, who could not possibly
have any claim upon it, should be prevented from diem-
peting it away, and that could only be done by requi ing I
him to produce it in court, so that it might be impounded,
Mr. Lewis. jun., for the defendant, said this court had
no jurisdiction, as it was a question of title, which them court
maid not try.
Alderman Humphery asked if the defendant produced
the prowrty
Lewisr. r.
claim to it he could bring an action to recover it, or he
could administer to the estate.

Mr. Hoffman mid that was Mr. Palmer's intention, and
notice had been given to the crown authorities to that effect,
but he was apprehensive that in the position in which Cox
was the property would be squandered away.
Mr. Lewin said Cox intended to administer, as the brother
of the deceased, as they were children by the same mother,
but different fathers.

AfdennaniininPhe ry then interrogated the defendant as
to the time and place of his birth, as well as those of his
alleged half-brother, the deceased, but
Mr. Lewis, perceiving the drift of the inquiry, imme.
diately advised Cox bet to answer any more questions.
Cox, however, admitted be was born in Ireland in 1796,
and said Captain Thompson was born in the county of
Longford.
Mr. Palmer said he had ascertained that the deceased was
only 61, and consequently younger than Cox, whose father
died five yeah ago. Captain Thompson had lodged and
boarded at his house, for which he paid half.yearly, and
there was a balance now due of 45f. On the day after his
death Cox called, and, representing himself as the brother,
asked to see all Captain Thompson's papers, and he en.
mined them accordingly. He said he had all the pro-
perty except the gold watch, which he had pledged for V.
The deceased had told him where he was born in Ireland,
but it was not at Longford. He also said the only relative
he bad alive was his father.
Alderman Humphery said it was a very suspicious case.
Mr. Lewis said the coroner's jury had all the information
that could be obtained before them, and they returned an
open verdict. It was quite clear that nothing could be done
in the case, except by an action at law.
Alderman Huniphety mid he should not rely upon the
coroner's jury. Ho wished the police to inquire more fully
into the case, as there was no doubt that Captain Thomp-
eon, being beastly drunk, had been thrown down stairs, and
his property taken from him.
Inspector Salter said if that was the magistrate's opinion
he should have no hesitation in having Cox taken into
, custody at once.
Alderman Humphery said he was satisfied the deceased
met his death by unfair means, and he therefore directed
the police to make inquiries, and act according to the result.

BOW-STREET.
AAR Herbert, a labourer in the service of Mr. Macey,
builder, of Milford Wharf, Strand, was charged with steal-
ing a quantity of solder, the property of his employer; and
Bryan Martin, a marine store dealer in Ship-yard, Temple
Bar, was charged with receiving the same, knowing it to be
stolen.

After hearing the evidence, Mr. Henry said to Mr. Lewis,
who appeared for Martin—l think you attend for an asso-
ciation, Mr. Lewis?
Mr. Lewis--Yes, sir, for the Marine Store Dealers'
Mutual Improvement Society.
Mr Henry—Does " Mutual Improvement" mean defend-
ing them when they are charged with receiving stolen
goods?
Mr. Lewis—Not for receiving specially, but for posses-
sion, or anything of that sort.
Mr. Henry committed the prisoners for trial, and de-
clined to take bail.

—IC. Lewis then observed, in reference to the society he
represented, that they did not defend in all cases, but only
when their rules had been complied with, by proper books
being kept, Ac. This was a case in which they would not
defend, beyond watching the preliminary examination to-
day. No member of the association had ever been con-
victed, and he believed the association had dune a great
deal of good.