The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1825-05-21 00:00:00

HORSE-STEA LING.

....
Brooke, Robert— Taxley alias Fox, .larnes Muller, and
Thomas Cans, were indicted for stealing two horses, the property
of J. Jefferson. _ . .

Wm. Coulson, coachman to the prosecutor, sworn—On the 25th
of February last, in the evening, witness locked up two of his
master's horses in his master's stables, at Bethnal green. On the
morning of the 26th, on going to the stable, witness missed the two
geldings and several bristles • the value of the geldings was 120
guineas ; the bridles now produced were found in the possession of
Mr. Jones, and arc the property of Mr. Jefferson.
A great deal or evidence was given, but it railed to prove that the
prisoners had been in possession of the horses.'
Baron By t.t.ocli said that there was no positive evidence to fix
the possession of the horses at any time with the prisoners. Jones
swore that the bridle was found in the stable, vet there was no
evidence to show who put it there. Mr. Smith, one of the witnesses,
had certainly bought one or the horses of a man named Cutmore,
and he was not here, therefore he would not put the prisoners on
their defence.
The Jury found the prisoners Not Guilty.
-

Robert Voxley and Thom ms Cutts were put again on trial on
a second indictment, for stealing two geldings, the property of
John Illaitiatid, Esq., of Essex, on which they were both ac-
quitted.
NEW COCRT.

ROBBERY OF THE WESTMINSTER SCHOLARS.
Charles Sinitnonds, aged 23, was indicted for stealing on the 6th
May, In the parish of St. Margaret, a variety of articles, the pro-
perty of Mr. Hugh Hodgson, the usher, Master Thomas Tooke,
and Master Walter Wrottesley, Westniinster scholars, from the
bearding-house of Mr. and Mrs. Strikeman, Dean's-yard, with
whom the prisoner lived as servant.
Mr. Hodgson deposed, in consequence of some suspicion, he
asked the prisoner whether he had an; objection to have his box
searched as well as the other servants ? He said no, and applied
several keys to open his box, but could not; at length a earpentes
was sent for, and then they discovered a variety of articles belong-
ing to the young gentlemen boarders in Mr. Strikeman's house,
and a shirt also belonging to himself (Mr. Hodgson). The
prisoner said the property found in his box were given to him
by the young gentltmen. There were 23 boarders in the bourse.
and believes that the scholars might have access to the prisoner's
apartment.
Master T. Tooke stated he was one of the town boarders at Mr.
Striketoan's house on the 6th of May; he identified six neck hand-
kerchiefs, which Mr. Hodgson, the tutor, showed to him, being
found in the prisoner's box. Witness had not given them to pri-
soner. Has been two years in the school. The scholars play tricks
with each other, but he never knew them to do so with any of their
boxes, or with the servants.
Master Walter Wrottesley, another town boarder also at Mr.
Strikeman's house, said that a pair of knee-caps, several handker-
chiefs and silk stockings, found in the prisoner's box, were his pro-
perty. The prisoner bad a room to himself, which was generally
left o.
Timotpen by Brown, a carpenter, proved going for the purpose of
breaking open the prisoner's box, and, on his attempting to do so,
he found it unlocked. . .

.. -
Matthew Farmer said he took the prisoner into custody ; knew
him for about six months, and during that time he considered him
an honest man.

The prisoner, in his defence, merely said that the articles had
been put into his box.
A witness, whn had known the prisoner for eight months, gave
him an excellent character ; lie had trusted him with his property,
and during that time he might hare robbed him to a large amount
if so disposed.
Strikeman had received a good character of the prisoner be.
fore he was engaged.
The Comstolc-acrawy recapitulated the evidence to the
Jury, who consulted toe a few minutes, and then pronounced the
prisoner—Not Guilty.