The Express.
London, England, 1867-05-07 00:00:00

hint from doing some serious mischief. He now refused to
plead or to answer any questions that were put to him,
and merely stood muttering and making some unintelli-
gible sounds, three of the turnkeys being close to him, in
order tied Ie might not commit any act of violence.
Mr. Gileien, the surgeon of Newgate, was examined, and
he said that from what he had seen of the prisoner he had
so doubt that he understood perfectly well all that was
going on, and that he was merely " shamming ;" and, upon
this and other evidence to the same effect the jury found
that the prisoner stood mute of malice, and the court
directed a plea of not guilty to be recorded.
The evidence as to the robbery wee perfectly clear and
conclusive, and the jury found the prisoner thidts. Evi-
dence was then given that he bad been sentenced to penal
servitude for robbery, and had been a great many times
summarily convicted of felony.
The Couunon Serjeant sentenced him to seven years
pemil servitude, and the prisoner was removed by the
IMF •

MIDDLESEX SESSIONS.

(THIS DAY.)

'(beter. Mr. Bodkin, Assistant-Judge.)
A 131,41U-SSING CASE.
J4nie 8r0x..., 27, described as a charwoman, with a
young child in her arms, WAS indicted for stealing a pairof
trousers, yalue 125., the property of Samuel Telger. The
prisoner, who wept bitterly, pleaded guilty.
The policeman who had charge of the case said, when
the prisoner was taken into custody she refused her ad-
dress, but he had since ascertained where she lived. He
found that she was suffering under the greatest distress,
as there was hardly a portion of furniture or food in the

place.
The prisoner here mid she was suffering under the
grmitest distress. She was the wife of a sailor, who had
left England nearly twelve months, during which time she
had not received ono farthing for her support. She had
applied to the shipping-office, and up to the time she was
taken to prison she had not received any answer to her
application.
The Assistant-Judge having consulted with the magis-
trates on the bench, said the court was inclined to deal
leniently with her, and if she was in distress she must
apply to the p.rish for relief, for she could not be allowed
to take other people's property. He then sentenced her
to be imprisoned fur one month.
The prisoner, who was still in tears, appeared grateful
for the mercy shown towards her.
An application was made by a discharged prisoner for a
sum of money which the Assistant Judge at the trial bad
ordered to be given up to her at the espiration of her
sentence. Instead, however, the prison officers had
handed it over to the sheriff, and there was a refusal to
give it to her.
The Assistant Judge called forward the officer of the
sheriff and ordered the money to be given up to the woman
as he had previously directed and requested the applicant
to attend to-morrow.
SECOND COUNT.
(Before Mr. Payne.)
A MAN CONVICTED OF A CRIME COMMITTED TWO YEA=
AGO. . .

John Wheelan , 3s, a tall man, was indicted for obtaining
in May, 184 Z, a ledger, value 125., by false pretences, from
Mary Ann Skidmore, the property of James Skidmore.
The prisoner pleaded not guilty.
Mr. J. Skidmore, a stationer, living at No. 6, Wych-
street, Strand, said on some day in May, 1665, the prisoner
came to his shop and told him he could get him a good job
if be (prosecutor) allowed him a commission. Witness then
went away. Had not since seen the prisoner until theaird of
April last, when he gave him into custody for obtaining a
book from his wife under false! pretences.
Prosecutor's wife was examined—She remembered May.
1865, when the prisoner came to their shop and spoke to
her husband. Shortly after her husband left the prisoner
came and said her husband had sent him for a book, and
believing that he was speaking the truth she gave him
the book. He had not seen him until a week ago, when
he was given into custody.
City Police-constable Webb, 492, said he took the pri-
soner into custody, and told him the charge. He said he
paid Mrs. Skidmore for the book.
The pry found the prisoner Guilty.
Mr. Payne sentenced him to three months' imprisonment
with hard labour.