The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1822-12-19 00:00:00

TILE KING V. BENNET AND OTHERS.

Mr. Tureens opened the pleadings. It was an indict-
ment against Bennet, Oldfield, Phillips, and Cartels, for keep-
ing a common gamiag.house, situate No. 75, St. James's-
street.
Mr. C Fetuses stated the case for the Prosecution.
The Jury had hoard from his Learned Friend that this was
an indictment against the Defendants for keeping a common
gambling-house. In opening this case he should not attempt
to make use of any arguments to pre udice or inflame their
minds. The time would come, if the Jury should tied a ver-
dict in his favour, when be should have an opportunity of
addressing another tribunal in aggravation. The present in•
dichneut was preferred by a youni gentleman named Wood-
rAfe, a student et law, who had lost at different times large
stuns of money at unlawful games at the Defendants' house.
The Learned Counsel thee called the following witnesses :
John Woodruff, knows the boost. No. 75, St. James's -street.
Went there in the latterend of let I; the doors were °feast iron.
weal up stairs into a beet room on the first floor, which
,was fitted up its a most costly and superb style. There were
twenty oe thirty persons assembled, playing at rugs et noir,
In which the parties play against the beak, and sot against
each safes . Witness thee proceeded to describe the game:
sox peeks of (seeds are used, and every time the number comes
thirellhe bank draws half the money mi the table. The
beak Imam widest adveataire. Witness went six or seven
;Dame, sod lovartablt lost. Witnees sometime* plated at hesi
zard. law all the Defendants at the table; they acted as
niasters,giving Oirectioas, sad appearing to be at home, bar-
ing no bats with them, as the gentlemen at the table had.
Witness west one night after play was over, and saw the
four Defendants counting mosey ; one of them said to wit-
ness, Übe play was over fur that night, but they should he
happy to see him another time.
Crees-exassined by Mr. Cenwoon.—Wcot to the house six
or seven times. Is a student at law in the Inner Temple.
Has brought an action against these parties. Has also pro •
(breed sit indictment against another gaming-house, to which
he went about as often as to that of Oldlield. Never was in-
side tbeffleet. Never took the benefit of the Insolvent Act,
and had always paid his creditors twenty shillings io the
posed, tad while actions had been brought against him had
always paid debt and costs. Never compromised or offered
to compromise any proceedings. An application was made
to Mrs by one of the parties, but he rejected it, as his friends ,
were determined to prosecute them.
William Smith knives the house, No. 73, St. James's-street.
Had been there frequently, and seems Mr. Woodruffe there,
and seen the games of realer et weir and haasrd played there
refreshments of wine and spirits were banded about. Hid
sees the Defendants there frequently, and can speak to hav-
ing been there un the ad, nth, and nth of last August. He
hod been there on other days also. On one occasion witness
applied to Deane to lend him pistols, and the answer he re-
ceived wait." llow can you expect me to lend you pistols,
being, as 1 am, a proprietor of such a house as this ?" or
words to that effect.
Cross-remised by Mr. Contworie.—ls a Lieutenant in the
army. Was imitated fur a fraud by the proprietors of the
gaining-house after the prosecution was comineeord. Never
recollects having hired a horse and chaise and not returned
them ; never had hired a chaise in kin life. Never gave three
daterent persons orders to reel ire his balf.pay at the same
time ; had given security to three persons un his helf.pay,
but never was indicted on that account. Had lost tout. et
Nu. 75, bet had lost/J*ol. at another house belonging to the
same Defendants, and is now a Prisoner in the King's Bench
prison.
The collector of the King's taxes was called to prove that'
the house, No. 73, St. James's-street, was situate in
St. JBlBMB'B.lllftel. _ _ _

Mr. Ccswoon shortly addressed the Jury on the part of
tboDenisidams, and urged that, on a charge so serious as that
they bad now to consider against tbo Defendants, the Jury
would require better evidence than that uf tbo Lieutenant who
bad now been put into the box, or the student who passed his
ovesinp at ■ gaming-house instead of his study, and who
came bore under feelings of irritatiuo for having lust Isis
money.
The Omer Jornes summed up, and the Jury, without
hailttien, found the Defendant/ Guilty.