The Sun.
London, England, 1864-01-11 00:00:00

MARLBOROUGH-STREET.

CAPTURE OF A GANG OF NOTORIOUS SHA RPEES.—
Four men, who gave the names of Charles Wilmot, of
Wormley, near Bristol, egg merchant ; John Mills, Thet-
ford, farmer ; George Towers, 50, Bookham-street, Iloston,
jeweller; and Henry Francis, of 12, Pond-place, Fulham-
road, servant, were charged before Mr. Tyrwhitt with de-
frauding Wm. Loynes, footman at 7, Seamore-place, May-
fair, of the sum of £lO 155., at the Old Carved Lion public
house, South-street, St. James's.
William Loynes, footman to Lady Grey, said—On Satur-
day after noon I was on my way home from the Serpentine,
where 1 had been skating, when Francis asked me to
oblige him with a light. I did so, and he appeared very
grateful, and then spoke about the ice, and afterwards
asked me to take a glass with him. I refused at first, say-
ing I was a servant, and was going home to tea. Francis
then said he also was a servant in the Marchioness of Lon-
donderry's family, and I then went with him to the Carved
Lion public-house in South-street, and he had not been
there more than a minute when Mills came in, and pre-
tended he was a farmer from the country, farming 300
acres.

Mr. Tyrwhitt—Had he not a rich uncle in London who
had just died? (Laughter.)
Loynes—He said he had £3OO, and that he had given a
man who had shown him about London £1 to get changed,
but after waiting at the corner of a street for one hour, the
man had not come back and therefore he had come in to
get a warm. Mills then asked Francis to take a glass, but
Francis said that he did not wish to impose on good nature
and he would toss him for a glass. They then tossed, I
being the referee. Mills won, and they then commenced
betting, and at this time I found Wilmot in the room and
he joined in the betting. They then spoke about my albert
chain, Mills saying it was not gold but brass. Francis and
Wilmot then bet a sovereign to Mills' sovereign about the
chain. I was told to pledge it to see, and if gold, Francis
and Wilmot said I should have part of the money. I went,
to a pawnbroker's in Gilbert-street and pledged it for £1 15s
and showed Wilmot, who was waiting outside, the ticket on
which the chain was described as gold. On going back to
the house and showing the ticket to the others, Towers, who
had not spoken before, got up and said he was a disinterested
person, and that it was a drawn bet. They then all com-
menced betting, and as Francis told me I was sure to win,
I risked my £1 15s, and lost. Towers then persuaded me
to go and get more money, and I did get £8 10s, and went
back and lost that too. Wilmot then left the house with
me and tried to get away ; but, hating an idea that I had
been amongst sharpers, I stuck to him, and on his jumping
into a cab I jumped in after him, and told the driver to drive
to the police office. I afterwards charged him with de-
frauding me, but he wanted to charge me. I afterwards, in
consequence of information got from the police, went to
Vine-street, and saw the others, and they offered to give me
my money back. They had then got my money upon them.
All I want is my money back.
By Mr. Edward Lewis, of Great Marlborough-street,
who appeared for all the prisoners but Mills—l was to have
a share of the winnings. The others said that " they had
a flat in Mills, the farmer, and that I should share in the
winnings. The game was " Head or Tail," and the farmer
was to throw. I signalled twice to the others what Mills
put down, whether " head" or " tail," and I was to share
the winnings. I expected my money back, and a share of
what they won of Mills. That was after I fetched the £8
10s.
By Mr, Lewis, jun., for Mills—lt was either a half-
penny or penny thrown up. I only saw on two occasions
whether it was " head" or " tail." It did not toss. I
betted, and would have won it I could, and have taken
the money. I made no complaint when I lost the £1
15s. and Ios., because I was toll I should win it back
and then went for more. I deposited £8 with Francis, and
the others gave something to Francis, apparently an equal
amount. I could not make out how they were tossing, but
I lost my money, and Francis handed the money to Mills.
There was lots of cheating going. Sometimes they tossed
with two coins instead of one.
Evidence of the taking the prisoners into custody having
been given by Sergeant Hornblow, 24 B.
Mr. Edward Lewis addressed the magistrate for his
clients.
Mr. Tyrwhitt said the question was whether they were not
guilty of conspiring to defraud, and he should remand them
that inquiries might be made respecting them.
The prisoners, it is stated, have 'rations aliases.
Remanded, and bail refused.