The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1826-09-26 00:00:00

OLD DAILEY, Secs. 25.

OI.1) COURT,
&lire the REcuttimn and a Middlesex Juty.l
11IUHWAY ROBBERY,
.Sloshes !awl:, senior, Merin a Leak, junior, and Joeph Cold.
were indicted for feloniously assaulting Thomas llobley, on the
king's highway, on the 13th September, m the parish of Chiswick,
and taking from him one tea-tray, value :is.
The prosecutor lives at 38, Great Guildford.strtes, Southwark,
and ranted, that on the Light laid In the indictment he was return.
ing from Itrentford fair; he had with him a tea-tray, and when
;Mont half a mile from Brentforti he was attacked by the prisoners
At the bar. 'flu: tray was on his bead; Leak, the elder, hit It
and tilted it. but witness caught it and prevented It from falling;
he replaced it on his head ; one of the prisoners came behind him
and wrack the tray again ; witness turned round and saw the elder
Leak standing ill a fighting position ; witness said," if you strike
me. I'll chop you down with the tray." A person of the name of
Wilson at this time came up, who was knocked down by the elder
Leak, and Immediately afterwards witness himself was knocked
down by the flame person. He got up, and was knocked down
repeatedly. When on the ground was violently struck by various
perions; was sure the Leaks were two of those who struck him
when on the ground, and had every reason to believe that Gold was
another, but could not 'wear to him. Was positive, however, that
he was of the party. When witness was rising, and lifting the tray
with him one of the party said—" don't let the fellow have it,
but could, not say whose expression this was. Was knocked down
again. and felt the tray violently polled from him. Was struck
alter he was on the ground again. Got up, ran away to Turnham.
I green for assistance, lensing the prisoners in a contest with some
I other persons whom they had attacked. When at a distance heard
the cry of murder proceeding from where he left them, and hcai.
wed whether he should return or not, but did. rot. The prisoners
were taken into custody early in the morning, with another person,
who was discharged at the police-oflie; in consequence of no one
being able to swear to him.
Cense-examined by Mr. CRESWELL—Hut been at the fair all
t day selling pastry. Had not drank more than two pints of beer.
Witness was returning home in company with six others. This
was not a general fight. Witness had not more than one round
with the elder Leak. One of his friends was engaged with Gold.
The other five were not fighting; they were not assisting. Witness
could nut swear whether they were standing by looking on. Heard
since that the prisoners live at Turnitsm-green. Saw them after
the affray going home. but they had not the tray. Besides wit-
ness's friends. the party wits increased by about half a dneen other
persona who came tip. Sonic ache prisoners might have been se-
verely beaten. Would not swear that they had black eyes when
at the police-office. All witness's party consisted of firemen.
Thomas Wilson, a baker, living in Fen-court, Miles-Lute, went
to the fair about three o'clock, to sell plum.cakes. Left the fair
about half-past eleven. Was perfectly sober. Did not know the
prosecutor before. Saw the prosecutor on the road, and a tray
knocked off his head, but by whoni he could not swear. Saw a
person named Freeland with.the prosecutor. Freeland called out,
" Wilson. come up, we are attacketL" lirent up, and was imnic-
&attly struck by the elder Leak.
fly 31 r. ESS EI. T. —This was not a regular fight. Witness
pulled off his coat, and fought in his own defence; had three
rounds, and then he thought he had had enough. There were
six in the prosecutor's party. Weuld not swear that the other per-
sons dish not tight.
Other pie and plum-cake venders (as they styled themselves)
gave evidence to thee:l:bye effect.
The Jury returned a verdict of Nat Guilty.
The RECORDF R ordered the prisoners to be detained, and to be
tried for an assault on Wm. Freeland, one of the witnesses on the
last trial, and robbing hint (W. Freclenti) of a fur rap.
The prosecute! stated that he lost his cap in the affray. and had
never found it since. He repeated his former statement, of having
been violently assaulted.
The Jury returned a verdict of Not Guilty.
El IGH WAY ROBBERY.

Jam Irestky was indicted for feloniously assaulting William
51•DimaId on the King's highway, in 'Whitechapel, putting him
in fear, and taking Flinn his person a steel watch-chain and key,
his property.
The prosecutor stated that he was an engineer. living at Strat-
ford. On the night in question he was returning home from on
board a steam-boat; in ‘Vhitechapel he was pushed against by the
prisoner. who begged pardon, hut came up to him again. and
snatched at witness's watch, which brol;‘, the nng of the watch ; and
the chain and key were taken away.
By the prisoner—Was nut drunk; had been drinking sonic
brandy and water 3n d putter; had all his senses about him.
The watchman said, when he took the prisoner into custody.
upon the prosecutor calling out Watch !" and giving charge of
him, he desired to 1 e varched. When he was searched at the
watch.house nothing was found on him. The prosecutor had evi-
dently been drinking, but certainly appeared to have all his senses
about him. . .

.......
The prisoner said that the prosecutor was intoxicated. That he
first came against him (the pr,soner). That he had been upon an
errand, and had never been guilty of any offence. His friend
had is en in attend:tree for many days to appear on his behalf; but
being very poor, Lad been unable to Appear also to-:lay.
The Jury returned a verdict of "Guilty of stealing from the
person."
The It ECORDF.Tt said, that the sentence of the Court vies, that
the prisoner should be transported beyond the seas during the term
of his natural life.

The KLCORDL ft now stated to the Jury that he had the plea
sure of informing them the business WEVignt through.aud thaefore
he dismissed thee:. with thanks.

I'o LICE.

Alawsrow•Hottst.—Yesterelny, before the Jurlire Room was
opened, Mr. John Wino, jun. applied to the Lord Mayor for the
aid of some Officers, to retake possession of his house, which lie
said had been burglariouely entered by persons, who etilhheht pos-
session of it, together with his property. sod whom he wished to
have brought sip for that offence:mime his Lordship.
The Lotus 31 alma, who had. during Sunday, received some
account of the :inn, as well from his own Officers as from some of
Mr. Wilke's servants, who 'Tidied to him on the subject, tent for
the City Solicitor, to take his advice as to the proceedings to be
adopted.
The circumstances of the case, as far as we could collect them,
appeared to be as follow :
Mr. Verbeke..who was formerly in partnership with Mr. Wilke,
jun. M. I'. fur Sudbury. hut who has for some time separated from
him. claims, as his private property a considerable portion of the
furniture and effects at present contained in the two houses, No.
35 and No. 31, New honed-street. part 01 which are in the ovu-
piney of Mr. Wilke for his offices. These effects he demanded,
as vedl, we understood; as curie other property in the piece.
eoneideo.4 it important to get an early possession. and on Saturday
night- between eight and nine o clock, a young Gentleman, who fe
connected with him, was admitted into the house by a servant girl
of M. Wilke's, and whilst he was at taking to her, several other
persons belotiging to Mr. Verbeke entered the house, and took pos-
session i.f It. The girl inmaliately made loud outcries, which
!darned the neighbourhood, and crowd was assembled. They,
however, were soon convinced that the proceeding was of a legal
chanic:er, and were se.tistied. The girl, an well as a second female
servant, who had the care of the Kendra' during Mr. ‘Vilkii's
absence at his country-bowie, at Mill Hill, were content as soon as
they were assured that the premiers had been taken possession of by
force of law. The parties, however, had conic prepared to defend
their possession, in anticipation of the must desperate measures bring
resorted to, in order to dislodge them. The prewises were gar-
risoned by four men. armed with two long swords. a bludgeon, and
a brace of pi.tele. in the course of Sunday morning three men
belonging to Mr. Wilke came to the house, with a view of obtain-
ing admission; bat seeing the force in possession, they retired,
and made application to the Lord Mayor. His lsordship sent down
one of the Marshals to the spot. Mr. Verbeke waited an his Lord-
ship, and represented the nature of his claims to the property and
premises, and declared that it was absolutely necessary that he
should assert his right in the manna lie had dote.
The Loan MAY os ultimately agreed to let Alr.Verbeke remain
in ;4:sliest:ion. .

On Smiley melt Mr. Wilks, accompanied by some persons
with whom he is conneYed, went to the premises, andtletnandtcl pes.
reasion. No atumtlon Wad paid to the demand. and alter a long col-
loquy. which greatly amused a crowJ of persons whu had assembled,
he retires. Large placards were yesterday exhibited on the outside
of the pronlses, swing that they were to be let, and referring op.
pliesnts to Mr. Pears:at. London-wall.
Notice having been given to the parties in possessinn. Mr, e'er.
beke came before his Lordship, accompanied Oy Alf. Corti, and
Mr. William Chill:.
Mr. Wilk+ objected to the presence of Mr.. IVilliam Ciork
he had. urghtzg to do with the business, and had no right to be
there.

31r. Conic stid, that Mr. %Villa fad his friends with him ; and
as ;tit,. Clark anti as the friend of NI:. Verbeke, if he retired, the
friends of Mr. Wilk, should also retire.
Mr. Clark remained, but took no part in the proceedings.
The LORD Moron said to Mr. Verbeke, that he roust be aware

that he had obtained, and had kept, pope •scion of the premises in
a manner which no Magistrate could P,iiiction:

Mr. Verbeke repress tted to In londship that he considered him.
self, in the present posture of Mr. Wilkes of ire, and of his pro-
ceedings, fully justified in this step. This I,ir Lordship would ac-
knowledge, when he was fully acquninted with the whole of the
citcunishinccs._ _

The LORD MAYOR was not inclined to investigate the circum-
stances of the case. Ile recommended an amicable adjustment of
the case. or at least such an adiitstment as would leave the nuts-
tint' of right to the reiteration of the property to be deternticed by
a soperioe Court. lie suggested that one of his officers should re.
mato in possession. and that neither party should in the mean time
remove the properly.
Mr. Verbeke declared that he had not the slii;ll:rst objection to
any arrangement or this nature.
Mr. IVilks-011, I shall not compromise the burglary.
The City Solicitor (smiling)—This is no burglary.
A long discussion then ensued. U!einiately the armistice realm.
mended by the Lard 3layor was agreed to on the following condi.
tions, a copy of which, signed and witoessed, was loft with his
Lordship t—
" Alantion-House,2sth Sept. 111241.
" I. That Mr. Wilke and Mr. Verbeke continue in posses-ion
of the premises in New Brood-street, Noe. 3,3 and
" 2. That neither of the paste, shall remove any article or pro.