The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1826-07-18 00:00:00

UNION-HALL

Yesterday, after the disposal of the night charges, which were
very numerous at this office, the following charges of felony were
brought before the sitting Magistrate, H. J. CHAMBERS, Esq.
A man named Webb was charged with breaking into the dwelling.
house of a Mrs. Marshall, who stated, that on Saturday afternoon
last, she had occasion to leave home for a short time on business.
On her return she was surprised on meeting with an obstruction in
opening the hall door. She, however, ultimately gained admittance
through the back part of the premises, and then discovered that the
impediment in front of the house was occasioned by the door being
barricadoed on the inside with chairs and tables, taken from the
parlour during her absence. She then proceeded up stairs to her
bed-room, and after remaining there some short time, she was
alarmed on hearing rather an unusual noise proceed from under the
bedstead. She looked underneath, and saw a man lying crouched
up near the head of it. The complainant gave an alarm, and on
assistance arriving, the prisoner, who pretended to be fast asleep,
was given into the custody of a constable. Mrs. Marshall added,
that she was convinced the prisoner secreted himself in her house
for the purpose of committing felony.
The evidence of Mrs. Marshall was corroborated by that) of the
Individual who took the prisoner into custody.
On the deposition being read over, the prisoner declared that he
was as innocent as the " child unborn" of any intention to commit
a felony in Mrs. Marshall's house. The truth was this, he had
been out drinking the whole of the day, until lie became as stupid
as as owl, and while in that state he happened to pass that lady's
house, and mistook it for an unfinished building, and accordingly
pushed in the door, in order to have a nap and recruit himself.
How he came under the bed Cud only knew, for he did not.
Several of the officers here stated that Webb was a very old
offender.

Tho Magistrate observed, that there was very little credit due to
the dsfenec he had made; ter had he entered the premises under
the circumstances and in the manner he described, it is more pro-
liable he would have thrown himself upon the bed, instead of con-
eraling himself underneath it. He should, however, have an op.
pronity of tellinvhis story to a Jury, and the Float was at-
eardlngty cOausitted for trial.
A rues named Chapman was put to the her under the &Bowing
charge :
Henry Grate, a man in the employment of the Gas Company
stated that on :Sunday morning, about live o'clock, while he was
engaged in extinguishing the lamps in Nelson-square, he was in
formed by a scream girl, in one of the houses, that some thieves had
entered the residence of Mr. Fisher. Witness immediat<ly placed
his ladder against the door of that gentleman's house, and, on look-
hag through the fan-light, he observed three men in the passage,
who, on seeing him, were deipera•ely alarmed, and attemptedto
maks their escape in front, but could not succeed. They then tan
into the yard, and witness, conceiving they intended making their
escape that way, ran round to Charlotte-street, which is at the
rear of Mr. Fisher's house, in order to prevent it. lime he saw
three men hastily walking away from the direction of the premises ;
two of them ran off, but lie succeeded in securing the prisoner, who
made a most vigorous resistance, and would have ultimately suc-
ceeded in his escape, had not a man come to his (witness's) assist.
ante. The prisoner (who is a very powerful fellow) trip pa up the
heels of the lamplighter, and was proceeding to choak him, just as
the person above stated came to his assistance. At the watch-house,
on the prisoner being searched, a skeleton key was found in his
pocket ; and, subsequently, on examining Mr. Fisher's house (the
whole of the family being out of town), all the cupboards, drawers,
and boxes in the house, were discovered to have been broken open,
and the property contained therein tint up in bundles, in rea-
diness to be taken off the premises. All the housebreaking imple-
ments used on the occasion were left behind by the thieves, in their
hurry to escape. The key that was found in the possession of the
prisoner opened every room in dl r. Fialier'e boast. The witness
(Grace), however, could not positively identify the prisoner, as one
seen bx him in the home ; hut the servant-girl who gave the in-
formation that led to his apprehension, stated that she observed
the prisoner, in company with two, other men, lurking about Mr.
Fisher_ house previous to one of them opening the door, and go.
ing_tidge,
Tbo , in his defence, declared his innocence of the charge
rand said, that hearing a cry of "Step thief ! ' end
thnersessance.ter, he took him for the thief, ag knocked him
down
The s.llllfiett imkttunately for him, as well as Webb, was
well to tba officers ea a reputed thief, and be was aeoord-
tugly Ito.ibras anoutba to bird labour, at Britton, se I
rogue sad togabood.

COAL MARKET, JUL', 17.
Ships at Market. Ships Sold. Prim.
73 Newcastle
211 Sunderland ........ . 21 ...... 324 Od to 35s Ud