The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1826-09-30 00:00:00

GROSS MISCONDUCT OF A CONSTABLE.

LAMS I:TII •13T It E ET.—Vmertlay RON'rtMell WWI placed at
the her, on n charge of having stolen a parcel belonging to Sir
Charles Forbes, from a Blackwell errand-cart. He had been in
custody for some days past. and was remanded in order to produce
the attendance of James Hall, who actually saw him commit the
offence, and who, as it subsequently appeared, had been kept out of
the way by the apprehenclime constable, with a view to facilitate
the prisoner's escape from justice.
A warrant was issued for his apprehension, and being brought
up on it, his evidence was yesterday taken.
I am a waiter in the City. On the 10th of this month. about
10 o'clock at night. I was on my way home, when I observed
an errant cart in the Commercial-mad ; three men were follow irg
it at a rapid pace, as if safirw it ; my suspicions became excited, and
I watched them for some time. Just as the cart pained through
the turnpike, I saw the prisoner Jump up behind it and remove a
pmcel, wi:11 which he walked off; when I followed, and gave hint
in charge to a watchman. He was removed to the watch-house,
enti the night constable entered the charge.
3lr. HARD:VICK—Why did you refuse making your appearance
until a warren: ran issued ?-1 did n-tend here, your Worship, to
substantiate the charge, but while waiting in the yard, Wilson, the
night constable, called me aside, and told me that he had known
the prisoner. and that he was very sorry he wan placed in such a
situation, ,lie added, that he thought it would be all settled, and
that there was•no use for my interference, but that in the event of
my being called in, I might nuke a flaw in the evidence by not
swearing positively to his identity. Judging by what Wilson said,
that there was no clear:aim fur my remaining any longer, I went to
my situation, and heard no more of the business until I was se.ved
with the warrant.

HAstritrier asked if Wilson was present. and being an-
swered in the migativc, desired that the information whould be
taken.

While this was doing he arrised, and being confronted with
Hall, the latter repeated his statement.
Mr. 11.snowic K, to Wilscn—Can you give any explanation of
this moat culpable conduct ?
Wilson endeavoured to deny it, but the mode of his doing so was
so full of evasion and confusion, that it was apparent to all present
that the charge was perfectly true. He, however., attempted a re-
taliation, and said that there:mon Hail tept out of the way was his
having received a bribe of 10s. from the prisoner's wife not to ape
pear against her husband.
Hall denied his having received a farthing, and insisted that it
was owing to Wilson's interference that he did not attend.
Wilson—The prisoner's wife is outside, your Worship, and if
she it examined she will prove having paid him.
The wife was here called in, hut, in reply to the questions put to
her, she contradicted most unequivocally her ever having paid Hall
any money.
Mr. H Attniv;cx here commented en the excessive criminality
of Wilson, anti told him, that as in all probability the parish would
not, as he deserved, prosecute him fur compounding a felony, he
would exercise the power vested in his hands, and fine him aUs., tor
ivh,ch sum he should forthwith issue a distress-warrant against
Ids goods, and if they were not ',elegem for its payment, he would
send him to the House of iorrection for a given time. Directions
were then given to apprize the parish authorities of the circum•
stance, and to give it as the Magistrate's opinion that Wilson was
no longer a fit person to fill the situation of constable.
The prisona was fully committed for trial.