The Express.
London, England, 1857-12-24 00:00:00

SWILL MOBSJIEN ON THE ZdILIT.dr.

Two steady-looking respectably dressed men, con-
versiag together in Sloelhnene-lane, on Monday, attracted
the q eye of Detective-Sergeant Manton as he was peas-
lag through the street about noon. The officer, for osseous
beet knosta to himself, took the trouble to follow them to
the Hockley Station, on the Great Western Railway, whither
they proceeded on foot, chatting confidentially with each other
all then). A train came up jaw as they arrived, and ob-
taining tickets, both of them entered a second-clam compart-
ment, in which there were several ladies, and returned to
Birmingham. Manton travelled by the saute train, and, on
meriting the Snow-hill platform, quietly handcuffed his two
friends the moment they etepped out of the Carriage. Hata-
esti, astonished at this unceremonious treatment, they indig-
nantly asked the caused it; and on Manton charging them
with Levitating the railway fur the purpose of committing •
felony, they were more surprised than over, and declared
themselves perfect stronger. to each other. On searching
them the officer found on one a return ticket from liockley to
Beedseley Station, the latter place being quite on the oppo-
site side of Birmingham. From Steelhousaelane to Hockley
the distance was • mile and three-quarters, and from the same
post to Bordeeley wily • mile and • quarter ; and Manton,
from his knowledge of tho men, and the fact that they did
so business at llockley, felt justified in taking them in
charge. They were placed at the bar of the Police-court
yesterday, before Mr. Rynnereley, Mr. Phillips, and Mr.
Winfield, and gave their names as Townsend Gifford and
Alfred Nicholls, but refused to state either their addressee
or ocenpation. Mr. Sill appeared to prosecute, and called
Manton, who gave evidence to the above effect. In answer
to further questions, the officer stated that he did not wait
to see whether the prisoners would enter the Hordes's;
train ; he took them into custody immediately. He
could explain his reasons for doing so, but it would not be
evidence. He knew the prisoners well as professional
thieves and swell mobemen. They kept company with
convicted thieves. Neither of them bad stopped above a
month at • time in Birmingham, so they went about from
town to town. Mr. Sill contend.' that the only onset:table
farmers from the conduct of the prisoners was that they
purposed some act of felony ; otherwise, why should they
start from Birmingham to Halley, and then return by train
deliberately without opeaking to anyone or doing any bun-
uses at Hociley ? Latterly the railway company had re.
calved complainm off equent depredations committed by this
clam of person. on their line. In teener to • question from
the bench, Manton Paid he bad not seen the prisoners in
town fee a year or eighteen months. Mr. K ynn, relay II
would be rather hard to convict them on evidence of this
kind, although I have no doubt about their dander' or la•
tention. Manton : Welled it a difficult matter, dr, to catch
hold of these people ; the town is infested with them, and
they does greet deal of mischief. Mr. Kynnereley Yea
mud keep a sharp eye noon them. Manton That we do
airesdy, sir ; but I am afraid we shall not be able to get them
again. The prisoner. were then discharged, each of them
declaring, as he left the dock, that Mr. Manton most
surely have made • mistake in supposing them to be thieve',"
—itirwsiaghan Deity Avg.