The Express.
London, England, 1866-10-03 00:00:00

THE POLICE COURTS.

MARLBOROUGH-STREET.
Mr. Charles reagent', auctioneer, and Mr. Charles Bun.
yard, were summoned before Mr. Tyrwhitt for conspiring
together to defraud Mr. Frederick Thomas, of Adam-
street, of a bill of exchange for 750/.
Mr. M. Williams was for the prosecution ; Mr. Sleigh
for Cowland ; and Mr. F. H. Lewis for Minya's&
Mr. M. Williams, having stated the case at length,
called
Mr. Thomas, who said be was a bill discounter. A gentle.'
man named Hope brought him a bill fot 7501. to get dis-
counted. The prisoner Bunyard, who had previously seen
the bill, called on him and stated. that a friend named
Cowland would buy the bill for 500/. He agreed to sell
the bill for that amount, and gave an authority to the
National Bank, from whom be had obtained 2001., leaving
the bill in their hands for approval. The bank having
afterwards declined to discount the bill, agreed to return it
on repayment of the 200/. The bill was obtained from the
bank, but in consequence of Bunyard delaying to pay over
the balance to him, he had an interview with Bunyard,
who told him in explanation that Cowland was pressed for
money, but he would give his own bills—one for 1001. at
one week, 1001. at two weeks, and 100/. at three weeks,
which would be withdrawn by Cowland as they came to
maturity. He took the bills, but they were all disho-
noured, Having ascertained that Bunyard was attempting
to sell the bill in the market for 4001., he sought and ob-
tained various interviews both with' limiyard and Cowland.
At these interviews Cowland asserted that he had given
full consideration for the bill. This was denied by Bun-
yard, who gave a different version of the transaction be-
tweenTowknd and himself. He could not account for
the bill having got into Bunyard's hands—he could only
conjecture.
Mr. Sleigh contended that the evidence did not show the
smallest portion of legal conepiracy between the de-
fendants. pia blow
Mr. F. Lewis said the object 'of these, proceedings was
to get that through a criminal charge which ought to be
dealt with by the courts at Westminster.
Mr. AI. lirilliams considered a case of conspiracy had
been made out.
Mr. Tyrwhitt thought that juggling and trickery 'hail
taken place, but he could not say whether it amounted to
conspiracy. He should dismiss the summons, and the par-
ties might take the case elsewhere.
Mr. H. Williams said he was prepared to enter into enro-
-1 ties to prosecute the case at the sessions.
WESTMINSTER.

John Charles Patterson, of 73, West-street, Brighton,
` gentleman," about 30 years of age, was charged with
stealing two pianos, value 45/. and 35/., the former belong-
ing to Mr. Peachey, of Bishopsgate-street, and the latter
to Messrs. Burling, Orchard-street, Portman-square.
Mr. W. D. Smyth, solicitor, prosecuted ; the prisoner
was undefended.
Mr. Smyth, in opening tte case, said the prisoner was
charged with stealing these pianofortes, having obtained
possession of them for the purposes of hire only, at a certain
rent per quarter. He carried on a systematic plan of plun-
dering pianoforte makers of their instruments in this way,
and then pawning them and absconding. The only ques-
tion before the court or the jury would be whether at the
time the prisoner obtained them he had any intention to
deprive the owners of their ultimate possession.
The magistrate concurred in this.
Thomas Napier, carman, in the employ of Mr. George
Peachy Bishopsgate-street, pianoforte manufacturer,
proved 'that he delivered a piano value 45/, to the prisoner,
at 49, Drompton-square, on the 12th of May last, and the
prisoner signed the receipt for hire produced.
Prisoner denied receiving any such piano or signing the
receipt produced.
Anthony Stanton, clerk to Mr. Peachy, proved that on
applying to prisoner for a quarter's hire the letter was re-
turned through the dead letter.office. He traced prisoner
to Brighton, and saw him with Mr. Peachy. He brat said
his name was Patterson, but upon their telling their busi-
ness ho denied the name, said his name was Jones, and
he knew nothing of the transaction.
William Luby, 244 B, warrant officer, proved appre-
hending prisoner at West-street, Brighton, on Monday.
Ile denied all knowledge of Dlr. Peachy's pianoforte, or
the delivery of it.
William Springett, carman to Messrs. Burling, piano-
forte manufacturers, of Orchard-street, Portman-square,
said on May la he delivered to prisoner, at 49, Brompton-
square, a piano value 35/. on hire. Prisoner assisted him
into the house with it, and signed the hire receipt pro-
duced. There was only an old piano in the room where
he placed the new one.
Prisoner denied signing the receipt, and said he took the
piano for a lady and gentleman, and did not know what
had become of it.
Mr. Smyth said the piano was pledged, and traced to
Mr. Soame a, pawnbroker in Fulham-road, three weeks ago,
and on application an officer was sent to the pawnbroker
by the magistrate and the piano in question was given up.
On a future day he should he prepared to prove that prisoner
took it there and pawned it, by the carman who helped
' him to convey it there. They had a slight trace of Mr.
Peachy 'n piano.
Prioner had nothing more to say, and was remanded for
I a week.