The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1821-06-11 00:00:00

POLICE.

DOW Irk lt ET.
EPSOM RACES.
The excellent establishment Of the hone patrol at-
lathed to this Office have been particularly active at the
Races, at Epsom, which took place deriver Ilse last week.
There was an assemblage of bad and depra►ed characters, as
is generally the ease on such occasions, particularly at Ep-
som, which is so near the metropolis. l• one instance, the
plunder and attack upon a young man was link inferior to
that committed some time since at West Erici fair. We stat-
ed on Saturday that • number of suspicious characters were
brought from Epsom on Friday. On Saturday they under-
went an examination before George Minahull, Esq.
The principal case which came under investigation was
against George •fplagelt and George Payne, in ■ charge
preferred against them by Robert Johnson, • young man
groom to Thomas Howe, Esq. of Portland-road, who
stated Iget he went to Emmert races on Wednesday, and morn
after his arrival on the course, his curiosity was attracted by
some peepers playing at cups and balls. There appeared to
be three men particularly active is it, we man playing with
the cops and balls, and the two Priaoners were betting.
The Prigneer, Payne, betted a sovereign, and won it—
the Prisoner Springett betted • shilling and won it. The
mats who was playing with the cups and balls addressed
him, and Raked him to bet. to which he gave him no an-
swer. The Prisoners were then standing close to him, one
on each side; they whispered him to persuade him to bet
with the man who was playing with the cops and balls, to bet
that • ball was under a cup, as he would be sure to win, as
they saw the ball fall from under the cup under the table,
which the man was not aware c.f, which induced him to put
down ts. ed. to bet that the ball was not under the cup.
The man then offered to bet him five shillings, tea chilli igs,
and then a pound ; to:which be replied be had no pentads in
bet, as all his cash oily amounted so les. Fou► small erild
seals were then banging oat to his watch ribbon, earl heuffer.il
to bet him five sovereigns against Iris watch, which he had
not seen, and he pot five aro...reign,. into the Prisoner
Payne's hand, when both the Prisoners whispered in a low
Wore of voice to urge hint to bet, assuring bins he would
win, which induced him to take his watch oat of his
fob, and while he was holding it is his banal the Pri-
mmer Payne took it under the pretence of holding it
against the five sovereigns. The man then took up the
cup and the ball was under it; Payne then eaclaim-
ed he had lost his watch, and gave it to the men at
play along with the five sueeleigus. The Priso er Spriu•
gett then betted a 'mercieu with the man that the ball
was under • cup, which lie lost ; Springeti then by way of
comfort to the 01011 for the lost of his watch, said they had
both Sort ; Springett, Payne, and the man went away. There
he;ng • good deal of confusion at that lime, the horses being
shout to start, he lost sight of the Prisoners and the man
with the cups and balls altogether. Sonic lime after he met
Swinge,l in the crowd, and he gave him • violent blow on
his bead which forced his hat over his face, and the blow was
given with so match violence that it broke the lining of his
hat, at the same none he said he •ould tell his mutt; that
be had been gambling and lost his watch. He replied be
did lint know his master, when one of the men in company
with Springett, who appeared Oleo to have a numerous gang
with him, offered to bet him half a crown that he dill' know
his master. He was them attacked by the gang, who heat
and ill-treated him with • stick; he escaped from their un.
provoked violence by taking lefiage in • stall, the owner of
which concealed Mot all night, fur fear of another attack
from the gang.

The watch, ribband, and seals wrre produced by laird,
one of the horse patrol, which the Prosecotor identsfied as
being the saw! that was taken out of ht■ hand by the P. isuner
Payne.
Some doubt wits at Rest entertained as to the nature of
the offence, in consequence of Mr. Harmer urging, on hr.
half of the Prisoner, that it only amounted to a fraud. Mr.
Mtn.httll, with the coacierreoce of Mr. Simi', who was also
present, was decidedly of opinion that it was a felony, and
■eeordiugly committed the Prisoner for trial al the next
Surrey Sessions for stealing the witch.
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