The Express.
London, England, 1867-02-23 00:00:00

THE POLICE COURTS.

(THIS DAY.)

CLERKENWELL
A DISGRACEFI: L /WEN!: IN BT. PANCRAS CHURCHYARD.-
NTEALING COFFIN PLATES.

Daniel II unt, of 9, Church-way, a labourer, was charged
before Mr. Barker with having in his possession six
inscription coffin plates, and further, with assaulting
Police-constable Taylor, 98 Y, in the execution of his
duty.
The evidence of the constable was to the effect that on
the previous evening be maw the prisoner leaving St.
Pancras-churchyard with something bulky in hie posses-
sion. The prisoner is employed in the churchyard in
making a tunnel in connection with the Midland Railway.
He stopped the prisoner and asked him what he had got,
and received for answer, "Some pieces of woo,L" The
constable, feeling that it was lead the prisoner was carry-
ing, told him that he would have to go to the police-
station. On hearing that the prisoner became
violent, made use of most dreadful expressions,
and said be would break the constable's back be-
fore he should take him. The constable endeavoured to
take him, on which the prisoner threw him with great
forte on to the ground, and fell on him. The prisoner was
proceeding to other acts of violence, when assistance came
up and the prisoner was conveyed to the police station, and
it was then found that he had in his possession six leaden
coffin plates which he had stolen from St. Pancras-church-
yard.
Police-sergeant Parry, 14 Y, said that the prisoner was
suspected of having broken into St. Pancras Church and
there committed a robbery. The names on the plates were
Felix Antonia Coattail, Esq., died 28th June, 171)7, egad 57 ;
Mary Hudson, died Bth of April, 1834, aged 85;
Such widow of the late Captain David Charles
Bruce, of the Honourable East India Comtrorrs
service, died January 13, 1840,aged 65 ; Mrs. Emma
maix, died, November, 1849, aged 72 years ; Mr. James
Addison, Bth January, 1837, aged 83 years ; Mr. Francis
Robin, February 20, 1813, aged 72. These plates had been
taken from coffins that were being removed for the forma-
tion of the Midland Railway tunnel.
The prisoner said that the plates had been given to him
by the inspectoesson, but that was denied by the party in
question.
Mr. Titford, undertaker, of Judd-street, asked that the
plates might be given up to him. He had the contract
for removing thecoffins, and the prisoner had no right to
touch them.

Mr. Barker sentenced the prisoner to two months' hard
labour in the House of Correction.
WORSHIP-STREET.
,TIALING

James Allen a coarse-looking man, described as a horse-
dealer, was charged with being concerned in stealing three
horses from their stabling.
Mr. Beard appeared for the prosecution, and stated that
the animals in question were worth, at a rough estimate,
about 411., and their positive owner was a Mr. Patten,
who had stables in Leonard-street, Shoreditch, almost in
proximity to this court. It would be requisite to have
the prisoner remanded, after adducing sufficient evidence
to show that he was acting in complicity with other men,
whom the constables hoped shortly to capture.
The prosecutor then swore that the horses mentioned
were secure on the rith instant under lock and key, that
he afterwards found they had been removed, and that he
subsequently saw them and recovered them from the pri-
soner by the assistance of the police.
A woman living opposite the stabling in Leonard-street
swore to having seen at midday, on the 16th instant, the
risoner and two other men, one of whom was named
p Westeott, break the stable-door open with a poker she lent
to them &IV I remove all three horses,

Sergeant Evans and constable Harry Short, well-known
detectives of the G division, deposed they yesterday
went to Dagenham, in Essex, where the prisoner
was at work. Evans said to him, " I've come
about those horses. " Aye, aye," he replied ; " I know
all about it, but you're not going to beat me, and I don't
mean to let you have 'em." Evans noticing that several of
the speaker's companions were with him and getting up a
show of resistance, against which his and Short's
endeavours to obtain 'on of the property must be
useless, went to the edge of the field and called on some of
the load polio., whose services he had previously stated
he should probably require. The help was at Lund, the
lads tied, and the prisoner, with the horses, which were
found in a dismal shed, were brought to London.
Prisoner made no defence, and was remanded. Bail
refused.

WANDSWORTH.
CAUTION TO TEIV.ONI4 TAKING IN NURSE CHILDREN.

A poor woman living in Wandsworth applied to Mr.
Hayman for the second time with reference to a norm,
child placed in her care by the mother. Her statement
on the tint occasion was to the effect that the mother
had deserted her child, not having paid any money
towards its maintenance for a long time, and that she
could not keep it any more. She had applied to
have the child taken into the workhouse but
they would not receive it. The magistrate at
the time told her he could not assist her,
as he had no power over the workhouse authorities, but
she could sue the mother for the keep of the child. The
applicant, who had a claim of 101. against the mother, said
she was unable to find her, as she was denied at the house
where she heard her voice. On this occasion she stated
that the child died on Wednesday last, and she could not
afford to bury it.
Mr. Dayman—As I told you before, I cannot assist you.
The applicant—The undertaker can't go on with the
funeral until the mother is fetched.

Mr. Dayman—You can sue her for the amount of the
undertaker's charges as well u the money she owes you.
Applicant—She has deserted the child. She has given
me a great deal of trout& and she ought to be punished.
Mr. Wyman—That is not the question.
Applicant—We can't keep the body as it is beginning
to smell.

Mr. Dsyman—You can charge all the funeral expenses
to her. It is a matter of contract between you and her.
I cannot give you any other advice.
The applicant then left the court evidently in much
trouble.

We are glad to be able to announce to the officers
of her Majesty's infantry that the present blue undress
frock -coat is to be abolished, and a neat patrol-jacket sub-
stituted for it. We need scarcely say that the present
garment is as generally as it is deservedly detested, and
the change will be welcomed by all ranks, from the slim
ensign to the sometimes portly field officer. —Army end
Nary Galate.