The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1826-08-29 00:00:00

SURREY SESSIONS.

These Sessions commenced yesterday at Horsemonger.lane, be.
fore Mr. HEDGER, Chairman, and other Magistrates.
John Forsyth was indicted by Henry, Murray for an assault.
Mr. JE m TT attended for the prisoner, who is a baker: the as-
sault arose from a dispute concerning a loaf, which Murray denied
having received. The prisoner was fined 6s. 3d., which he paid,
and was discharges'.
Henry Dullard and Peter Poyne were charged with felonious.
ly stealing various articles of household furniture, value four pounds
one shilling, the property of Richard Burnell.
Mr. JEMNETT was engaged by the prosecutor, and stated, that
his client rented a house of Bullard, in Belvidere-row, and was
indebted to the landlord up to the 20th of July, 1825, 7!. 10s. for
rent. He requested time to pay it in, anti undertook, on Bullard
having distrained, to pay it in a month. On the 10th of August
they took the goods away, as the money had not been paid. They
took away treble the value of the amount of rent. Mr. Burrell got
other goods, and left a padlock on his door, but on returning to the
house, lie found that it had been broken open, and the whole of the
goods taken out. On attempting to enter his room, they presented
a blunderbuss, and threatened to blow out his brains. For this
violence he now appealed to a Jury of his countrymen, to punish
the offenders. and to know if a man's residence could be broken into,
and robbed without cause or authority. The first witness he called
was Mr. Burnell, the prosecutor, who deposed that he was a house.
agent, and rented a room of the prisoner Bullard at V/. per annum.
That in the month of April he engaged some other apartments. it.r
the whole of which he was to pay 301. per annum. On the first
quarter becoming.due Bullard applied for the rent. Witness told
him that he was out of cash, and would pay in a few days. Bul.
lard, however, distrained for the amount, and left a man in posses.
aim whom he withdrew on witness signing an undertaking to pay
it in a month. He could not do so, and the goods were tventu illy
taken away. He got more goods, and on leaving 1119 smarm", tits in
the morning, he put a padlock on the door. On the first 'eft Are,
Bullard, the landlord, and Payne, who was his broker, had used
some violence, and witness applied to the Magistraies at L'itioit
Hall for an assault warrant. the Magistrates declined interfer
but advised witness to indict the prisoners at the Sessions. On h
return to his roams in the evening, he found that some one had
broken into them. Ile knocked and demanded admittance. Fiyne
opened the door a little, and presented a blunderbuss, and te:d hitt.,
with abuse, that if he did not go about his business he (Payne)
would, blow his brains out.
The Counsel for the prisoner submitted, that the second seizurr
was made for the rent of the four weeks allowed to make up he
71. 10s. of the first seizure, and that it could not be construed in o
felony. The presccutor had conunenced twoactions for the trespass, by
whichthe prisoners would, if guilty, be punisheds. and ha cont. n !ca
that there was no ground for the charge of felony.
After discussing the question for some time,
The Citarnstast declared it his opinion that an action of trover
was the most proper mode of proceeding, and recommended the
Jury to find the prisoners Not Guilty, which they did without pea.
ceeding farther into the case.