The Express.
London, England, 1866-10-12 00:00:00

THE POLICE COURTS.

MANSION-HOT:MIL

Edward Snitls and O'7;W; loie;ts,lwo powerful youe
men, were charged (on remand) with stealing • " caddy
of tea, weighing nearly 281ba., and of the value of 21., the
property of M. Charles Paul Millard, of 37, Crotched-
friars, tea broker.
It appeared that on the morning of the 3rd Oct. inlet.
the property in question (with other goods) was being con-
veyed in • truck along Fenchurehotreet, in charge of
Samuel Salmon and another lad in the prosecutor's employ-
meat, and on arriving at the corner of Jewryetreet they
miased the " caddy" of tea. Just before the loss wasdir
covered the two prisoners were seen following the truck
by a tailor nsmed Daniel Connell, who observed the pri-
soner Smith remove the " caddy" from the track, while
the other prisoner, Roberts, took off his coat, with which
he covered the caddy, and they went away—Smith carry-
ing the stolen property in the direction of WhitechapaL
Connell followed them until he met • police-constable,
Webb, 106 117 by whom Smith was ensured with the tea
in his possession. The prisoner Roberts ran away, but wee
ultimately secured, after • chase, by Constable Childs,
193 H.
The prisoners pleaded that they were out of work, sad
were in an extreme state of want.
The Alderman inquired whether anything was known of
either of the prisoners.
Principal Warder George Act..., from the City prison,
Holloway, proved that Mae 1863 Smith had been MOW-
aerated in that prima no less thas; four times under sum-
mary convictions, the bet being in the month of January
in the present year. With respect to the other prisoner,
Roberts, he had been twice imprisoned at Holloway under
summary oonviotions,the last nine in August last, when he
was sentesiod to one month foe stealing • case of herrings
from a truck in Billingsgate-market, so that he had only
been two days out of prison when he joined in the offence
which constituted the present charge.
Mr. Alderman Stone said that as short terms of impri-
sonment had failed to produce any effect, he should now
commit them for trial at the ensuing session of the Central
Criminal Court.
LAMBETH.

A man about 30 s.rs of age, of good address and most
rational and intelligent, applied to Mr. Elliott for his
advice under the following aucumstanoes.
The applicant said that he had been • soldier in the 16th
Regiment of Foot, and while doing duty with his regiment
in York he unfortunately committed himself, was tried,
and sentenced to 18 months' imprisonment. linen he bad
completed 13 months of his sentence his mind unfortu-
nately gave way, and he was transmitted from York Castle
to • lunatic asylum at Camberwell. At this place he re-
mained about 11 months, but became so well by the
middle of that time that he expected from day to day to
oteain his discharge, and became so wearied of the broken
promises of the doctor that he made his escape from the
asylum and proceeded into the country, where he obtained
very good employment. But the money panic so affected his
master that he was compelled to discharge several of his
'hands, and he (the applicant) amongst them. After
his discharge he bawd of another job, and while
on his way to the place, and in passing through
the town of St. Albans, he was taken up by the super-
intendant of police there as a deserter, arid was de-
tained until an answer was received from the War-
office denying that he was • deserter, but stating
the fact that he had deserted from the Camberwell
Asylum. At this time be had been away five months from
the lunatic asylum, conducting himself, as he was able to
prove, with perfect propriety, and feeling himself bodily
and mentally as well as he was In all his life. He applied
at the asylum for • certificate that he had been there long
after the period unexpired of his former sentence ; but
iretead of giving him this certificate, he was taken into
the institution, locked up, and treated as • lunatic. The
doctor, however, had frequently congratulated him on
being so well, and promised him at one time that be should
be discharged at the end of a month, and at another time,
in ten days, but still he was kept there, and he got so
weary of stopping that he had left the place as before,
and had made up his mind to apply to this court, and take
the magistrate's opinion as to what be should do.
Mr. Elliott—Do 1 understand you that you escaped from
the asylum?
Applicart—Yes your worship ; I got tired of their

doei
MevAe— promises.
r. t ie it you want mo to do ?
Applicant—My impression is that I am detained there
improperly as a prisoner, and I want to know wbett or the
doctor is justified iu keeping me there against my will, as
I am not a lunatic, having been away five months from the
asylum, and all that time conducted myself with propriety.
Mr. illiott—Do you know who paid for you at this
asylum?
Applicant—Yes, sir ; my parish paid for me.
Mr. Elliott—Rave you seen the Commissioners in
at the asylum. I believe it is their practice to visirn=
plains ?
Applicant—l did see then on one occasion, but they did
not seem to pay much attention.
Mr. Elliott did not see how he could assist the appli-
cant, but would suggest his making an application to the
Commissioner, in Lunacy, at their office, 19, Whitehall-
place.
The applicant thanked his worship for listening to him
so patiently, and said ha would at once act upon his
suggestion.