The Northern Daily Times.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1857-02-23 00:00:00

LIVERPOOL.

BEFORE MR. MANSFIELD.
DISHONEST SERVANT.—On Wednesday, a woman, named
Jane Barrett, who lived as servant with Mr. Hofkins, of
16, Great George's square was brought up on a charge
of having stolen a quantity of property belonging to
that gentleman. She was then remanded in order to
find out the property. On Friday detective officer Povey
went to Birkenhead, where he arrested Charles Barrett,
the husband of the female, and in his house he found a
box, which contained a number of sheets and other bed

clothes, and in a smaller box he found a quantity of
forks,"spoons, and knives, all plated. He also got a glass,
with Mr. Hofkins' name On it, and all the property was
identified as stolen from Mr. Hofkins. Ho asked for a
remand till Wednesday, to which day the woman stood
remanded. He was remanded to that day.
THE CHARGE AGAINST CAPTAIN TOBIN.—In our paper
of Saturday, there appeared a full report of the charge
preferred against Captain Tobin, for having obtained
£5O 7s 6d under false pretences. On Saturday, Messrs.
Snowball and Black came before Mr. Mansfield in
reference to the case, when Mr. Snowball said the
parties bad made an arrangement in regard to the
money. One portion of the money had been handed
over to the owner of the ship, and a consent had been
given that the other portion should be also handed over.
The prisoner had made satisfaction ; he was also in jail
for a night, which was some punishment, and, besides
that, there was a doubt as to the intentions of the prisoner
at the time he got the money, and, under all the circum-
stances, the prosecutor did not think of pressing the case
further. Mr. Block said he agreed to the arrangement,
and also that the portion of the money in the hands of
the police should be given up to the ship's owner. This
was agreed to, and the prisoner was discharged.
A TICAVELLBR.—A tall young man, dressed in a shabby
genteel style, and with an incipient light moustache,
who gave his name as John Lawrence, was charged with
stealing a counterpane from the house of Mr. Cross,
hotel keeper, John's lane. It appeared that on Friday
evening the prisoner entered the house of Mr. Cross, and
asked for a glass of ale, and then enquired if he could
have a bed f Mr. Cross told him he could, and then
the prisoner went up stairs to wash his hands; he came
down very soon, and Mr. Cross suspecting something, as
the prisoner had no luggage, went up and found the
counterpane gone, and he at once followed the prisoner
and got it on him. Constable 233 said when he arrested
the prisoner, he refused to tell who he was ; all he
would say was that he was a traveller from the West
Indies. He found a card of Mr. Connor's hotel, Isling-
ton, and he ascertained that the prisoner had slept there
the previous night, and swindled them out of bed and
breakfast. In reply to Mr. Mansfield the police said they
did not know the prisoner. He was sent to jail for three
months with hard labour.
A'6 DECOY DUCK" CAUGHT.—A flashy looking young
woman, named Mary Stanley, well known to the police
as a " decoy duck," and connected with a gang of
" bludgetters" in tow n, was brought up by detective
officer Thompson, on a charge of having robbed Mr.
John Atkinson, joiner and timber dealer, of Carlisle, of
£l9. Mr. Bluck was for the prisoner. On Thursday
night, about half-past eleven o'clock, the prosecutor was
passing along Roe street, to his hotel, when he was
accosted by the prisoner, who, in a mysterious manner,
informed him that she had something of importance to
state to him, and at the same time she drew him towards
an entry, and in a hurried manner caught him by
the pocket; at that instance two men came up to him,
and cried out, " oh, ho, we must have a treat for this," and
then the woman disappeared instantly along the passage,
and presently he missed his purse, which contained £l9
in gold. He described the woman to the police, and
Thompson proceeded to a house in Gay street, where he
arrested her. He found a couple of sovereigns and
some silver on her, and under her bed he got a
splendid gold watch (lever) and chain ; in a
box he found a variety of men's clothing,
(new) and from what he heard, it would appear that the
prisoner had released the watch ont of pawn, and pur-
chased the clothes, out of the produce of the robbery.
Mr. Bluck ably cross-examined the prosecutor, who said
he was never in Liverpool before the present time ; he
had his notes in a pocket book, in a side pocket, but he
did not lose that. He utterly denied any improper
intention in speaking to the prisoner. and swore posi-
tively to her identity. Thomson said the complainant
had most accurately described her, so much so, that he
(Thompson) had no difficulty in arresting her, even if he
had not known her before, and he added that the com-
plainant at once recognized her amongst six or seven
females. Mr. Bluck made an able speech for his client,
but his worship decided on sending her for trial. (It

was stated tbat the prisoner was the most dangerous
"decoy duck" in Liverpool, and that she has been for a
long time connected with the most desperate gang of
ruffians in England )
CHARGE OF EMBEZZLEMENT.—Joseph Webster, who
stood remanded from Saturday week, on a charge of
having embezzled certain sums belonging to Messrs.
Hartoch, cordial makers, of Russell street, in whose
employ he was, was again brought up by detective
Laycock. The details of this case were published in
our paper of this day week. Mr. Bluck defended, as on
the former day. The evidence was gone into de novo,

when Mr. Block contended that the prosecutors had
condoned the charge by agreeing to accept of lOs a week
from the prisoner, in liquidation of what he owed. This
was admitted on the part of the prosecutor to a certain
extent, but he alleged, after the arrangement was made,
that he discovered other sums of money taken up by
the prisoner, not included in the settlement, and on
these the prosecution was founded. Mr. Block spoke to
evidence, and dwelt with much severity on the con-
duct of the prosecutor. He contended that a jury
could not convict the prisoner, and as there
was a doubt in the case, the prisoner should get
the benefit of that doubt. Mr. Mansfield said he would
let a jury decide. He sent the prisoner for trial, but
admitted him to bail in VA o sureties of £25 each, and
two very respectable persons in trade at once entered
into securities, and the prisoner was then set at liberty.
CAUTION TO TRADESMEN.-.—Mick Barnacle, a tailor, ,
was charged for having assaulted another tailor, named
Churchhouse. The complainant was working at the shop ,
of Mr. Edwards, St. James's Place, and because he
chose to put more work on the articles made by
him than the " trade " thought proper for the price
the prisoner attempted to " gouge" his eye out, and sub-
sequently assaulted him in a violent manner. This was
fully proved by several witnesses. The prisoner called
witnesses, but they did not appear, when Mr. Mansfield
said, every man had a right to do as he liked with
his labour, and set whatever price he pleased on it
without the illegal interference of any one. The prisoner
interrupting his worship, with great sang froid, said,
" Oh, but sir, it's a rule of the trade not to allow such."
Mr. Mansfield (with marked emphasis.) It's a rule of
trade, sir, that I will put down by the strong arm of the
law. I fine you £5 for the assault, or in default of
payment, two months imprisonment. The prisoner was
removed looking very surprised that his rule of trade was
so deservedly punishment in his person.