The Express.
London, England, 1868-05-18 00:00:00

LAW INTELLIGENCE.-(THIS DAY)

COURT OP BANKRUPTCY.

(Before Mr. Acting-Commissioner llaalitt.)
The business brought before the court omaisted princi-
pally of applications foe release from custody, all of which
were panted, although the choice of assignees had not
taken place, his Honour observed that the practice of
keeping persons in custody seemed to have been exploded ;
and though there wee as yet no law to that effect in the
absence of any special ground under the 112th section
for refusing the release, he would grant it.
The bankrupts released wire—John Baldwin, stone-
memo, Bethnal-greeu-road, owing under 100 f. ; Wm.
Glover, lamplighter and carman, of King Henry-street,
Ringsland-road, debts 2011. (he was opposed by the Bast
London Waterworks Company on the ground that he had
brought a speculative action against them, and incurred
Sot. of costs); and Wm. Curds, of Cullum-street, out of
business, late boot-maker, debts 30:4.

POLICE COURTS.-(THIS DAY.)
CURKENWELL.

ATTEMPTING TO DEFRAUD THE GREAT NOMMEN/I RAILWAY
COMPANY.

William Stewart, aged 18, described as a labourer, re-
siding at the Grams-market, lldinburgb, was charged with
attempting to travel on the Great Northern Railway in a
second clan carriage without paying his fare, with intent
to defraud, at the parish of St. P►ncras.
Mr. Kilson, of the company's police, attended to watch
the case.

On Saturday night the defendant was seen loitering
about the platform, and being suspected he was watched.
He was seen to get through the window of a ...mud-class
carriage attached to the Scotch train, and when he was
asked how he got there he said it was all right, and that
he had got a ticket to travel to Edinburgh. When asked
to show it he said he had not got one, and was then
taken out of the carriage and given into custody. As
attempts of this sort were of frequent occurrence the
compan♦ had determined to prosecute in every case that
was brought under their notice.
. .

The defendant sAid that he wee a stranger in town, and
as this was his first offence he hoped the nisgistrate would
look over it.

Mr. Cooke said that the ease was fully made out, and
ordered the defendant to pay a penalty of 401., or in de-
fault to be imprisoned in the House of Correction for 21

The defendant was locked up in default, he stating that
he had not a farthing to bless himself with.

DIA RLBOROUG H-STREET.
NILF UL DAMAGE IN HYDE PARE.

A woman named Mary Ferrel mu fined 10s., or seven
dap,' imprisonment, for wilfully damaging flowers in Hyde-
park and Kensington Gardens. Not content with looking
at the flowers, it seems that she broke off several branches
of rhododendrons and other plants. Two boys, named
Thomas Ball and Charles Page, were fined se. each for a
similar offence.

SOUTHWARK.
BRARTLEBB ROBBERY BY • BITTING MAN.

Samuel Robson. 44, described in the charge-sheet as abet-
ting MRll,Wall placed at the barbefore Mr. Burcham,charged
with stealing a gold 0 watch from the parson of
Elizabeth Edwards, under the following disgraceful cir-
cumstanced :

Mr. H. Allen, the prosecuting officer of the Associate
Institute for Enforcing the Law for the Protection of
Women, watched the case on behalf of the society.
The proeeentrix, a well-dressed young girl, of the clam
called unfortunate, said that on Thursday afternoon, the
let last, she met the prisoner near the Elephant and Cistle,
when be told her he was • country gentleman just arrived
in London, and asked her to take refreshment with him.
She consented, and they walked about the Kent and Wal-
worth roads, visiting several public-houses, where
he .plied her with all sorts of drink, which
she foolishly partook of. About 6 o'clock in the evening
he accompanied her to • friend's house in Union-stmt,
St. George's-road, where she felt • little overcome with
what she had drunk. She, however, had her watch in a
pocket in front of her dress, attached to • metal chain.
as on entering the house she took it out to
see what time it was. Soon after they bad
entered a room he closed the door and rushing upon her
snatched the watch from her and bolted out of the house
with it. She was so surprised at the suddenness of the
attack that for • minute or so she was unable to follow
him or call out, but as soon as she recovered he had made
his escape, and she saw nothing more of him until Satur-
day when she saw him in custody at the police station and
at once identified him. _ _

The prisoner at first pleaded not guilty, but when told
that be must go for trial he admitted having committed
the robbery, but he 'shoed to say what he did with the
watch.
Mr. Benham told him that the estimate be had formed
of the girl's testimony had proved to be correct. Although
unfortunate, the evidence of such persons was not to be
disbelieved, especially when given with such clearness
and artlessness. It was a heartless and disgraceful rob-
bery, and he should not be doing his duty unless he
punished Mm with the utmost severity of the law. He
scnteuced him accordingly to six months' bard labour.