The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1825-06-18 00:00:00

DESPERATE ESCAPE OF A PRISONER.

On Thursday afternoon a most desperate, and almost unex-
ampled escape was effected by William Thompson, a young man,
of very noted character, who was examined at the Alary-la-bonne
Office on Monday last, on a charge of burglary, and robbery in the
house of Messrs. Swan, Home, and Co. of Regent-street.
The house had been entered on the morning of Sunday last, and
robbed of a considerable sum of money, and a quantity of goods
were packed ready for removal ; but sonic of the family having,
during that day, returned to the house, discovered that the house
had been robbed, and also that the thieves contemplated returning,
consequently they remained on the watch ; and at about half put
nine o clock at night, Thompson was detected in the very act of
opening the shop doer, and, after a shed resistance, secured. In
his pocket was found a list of respectable gentlemen's houses which
had evidently been marked for plunder. Since his examination
other charges, on the clearest testimony, of burglaries and robberies
have been advanced, and be has been identified as the captain of a
gang of desperate burglars. He was on Thursday brought up be-
fore Mr. Rawlinson, and underwent a very short examination,
being again remanded until Monday next, as on that day the
charges against him, it was contemplated, would fully be entered
into. In the evening, at the usual hour, a few minutes be-
fore eight o'lock, he was haratdcailitd to a woman, named Alex-
ander, and was put into a coach with two other prisoners named
Tonks and Tunic? (w 1 w-ss committed to the House of
Correction for three months), In the charge of Godfrey, the gaoler
of the office. On the way to the House of Correction, the female
(Alexander) repeatedly complained of the tightness of the hand-
cuffs and requested Godfrey to remove them. This he declined,
until at length she burst out into the loudest cries, and appeared in
dreadful agony, her arm having at last swoln to a very considerable
extent, and even assuming a livid colour. Godfrey being impor-
tuned by the other prisoners, and pitying the woman's wretched
situation, removed the fastenings from her arm, and of course the
arms of Thompson became equally dittmcumbered. The prisoners
having requested permission to take some refreshment before enter-
ing the gaol, the coach stopped at a house called the Apple
Tree, nearly opposite the Ilouse of Correction, and while the land-
, lord was supplying them with, some spirits and water, Thompson
suddenly jumped out of the ouch, and knocking down the landlord
of the public house on one side, en4eavoured to get away. God-
frey grasped the skirt of the fellow'arcoat, hut he tore himself clear
off, and left the tail only behind in the officer's custody. Several
persons were on the spot looking at the act, and two of them
who advanced to stop him he instantly knocked down, and
darted with the speed of a fawn across Clerke well-close, in
the direction of Saffron-hill. Mr. Price (an officer belonging to
the County Court) being just at his h cis, made a blow at him ,
with his truncheon, but the fellow turned round, and putting him-
Self in a boxing attitude, instantly levelled him with the earth.
.Mr. Coker (a master builder, of Whitechapel) also happening ac-
cidentally to be present, endeavoured to secure him, but was laid
on the ground with the same cool, deliberate desperation. Godfrey
having left the other prisoners in the care of the landlord of the
Apple Tree, with a crowd of persons joined in the pursuit; but
although Thompson was always in their view until he reached
Saffron-hill, nobody could secure him. Every person, among the
rest two Irish labourers, who attempted that object, he also instantly
knocked down, and actually folght his way through a body of
seven persons near Hatton-wall In Kirby.street, Hatton-garden;
he paused for a moment, and dung off his coat (the skirts of which
remain still in the possession of Godfrey), and turning suddenly up
an alley that leads to Saffron-hill, he was not seen after. It is sup-
posed he found a place of ready refuge and safety among the hordes
of infamy that possess the fastnessea of that quarter of the town.
Godfrey having reported the unfortunate business at the office, the
police hare,offered a reward for his apprehension, which it is very
unlikely can be effected, there being no clue so his present retreat.