The Sun.
London, England, 1839-01-01 00:00:00

NEW COURT.

Slloll,ll' TING. —Susan Ashwell, aged 50, a respectable-
looking woman, was indicted for stealing from the shop of a
haberdasher, in Tottenham-court-road, on the 20th of Decem-
ber list, eight yards of poplin, two yards of silk, three yards
of bombazine, and a piece of mousline-de-laine, value 255.
Mr. POILLIPS and Mr. DOANE appeared for the prisoner.
John Davis, a shopman in the prosecutor's employ, said be
followed the prisoner out of the shop, after she had made a
purchase, and asked her if she had anything in her possession
that was not her own. She at first denied, but afterwards ad-
mitted that she had. The property produced he found in her
possession. He did not see her take anything.
Michael Clothier, another shopman, said that having sup-
plied the prisoner with some articles, he saw her fold up a piece
of silk and put it into her basket.

By Mr. PHILLIPS—There was nothing on the counter to
prevent my seeing what she did. I was close to her as lam
to the brass round this witness box.
Mr. PHILLIPS—How many persons are there in your mas-
ter's firm? Witness—There are eight and thirty individuals
connected with our establishment.—( A laugh.)
Mr. PHILLIPS—I don't think you understand my question.
Witness—There are two Governors.
Mr. Pint,Lies—Governors God bless me How very
dignified people are becoming.—(Laughter.) Yesterday we
had a dancing-master before us who said he was a " Pro•
fessor of Dancing," and to-day we have a linen-draper dubbed
with the distinguished title of " Governor l''—( Renewed
laughter.) How many partners are there, Sir ? Witness—
Two partners.
Mr. PHILLIPS—WeII, why did you not state that at first?
A Policeman who took the prisoner into custody was then
called, but his evidence was not quite consistent with that
which he gave before the Magistrate.
Mr.. PHILLIPS addressed the Jury in behalf of the prisoner.
Ha should prove that the unfortunate woman at the bar had
been labouring under a weakness of intellect, or aberration of
mind for some time back, and submitted that the act for which
she was placed at the bar was done without any intention of
committing felony. Indeed it could not :be otherwise, for by
the evidence of the shopman it appeared that she deliberately
folded up the articles while he was before her looking on.
Several respectable witnesses were then called, who stated
that since the death of her brother, who committed suicide, the
prisoner's intellect had been greatly impaired, and gave her a
high character for honesty.
The CONIMON-SLRGRANT told the Jury to consider whether,
at the time the pris,ner committed this,:aet, she was capable
of judging right from wrong. They would find her Guilty,
Not Guilty, or Guilty, stating especially that she was labour-
' under aberration of mind.
Mr. PHILLIP!! said the effect of such a verdict would be
the confinement of the prisoner for life.
The Jury returned a verdict of Guilty, but with a strong
recommendation to mercy in consequence of the occasional
aberrations of her mind and her previous good character.

SHERIFFS' COURT.-(THIS DAY.)

SHARPE V. OROONIE.

Mr. JAMES appeared for the plaintiff, who is a publican, re-
siding at Dalston, Middlesex ; Mr. MARTIN for the defendant,
who was formerly the master of a ♦essel.
The action was brought to recover the sum of 71. 2s. 41d.,
for beer and spirits. Two pot-boys proved the delivery of ale
regularly twice a-day for a considerable period, and that
spirits were occasionally left at the house, sometimes being
received by the defendant himself, but more frequently
by his wife. It was contended, on the part of the
defendant that he was not liable, inasmuch as the spirits were
supplied to his wife not only without his knowledge, but
against his express orders to the contrary, and that as a large
proportion of the bill, although charged as beer, must have
consisted of spirits, the Jury would reduce the amount very
considerably.
The Jury, after a short consultation, returned a verdict for
the amount claimed.

LIGHTBODY V. CHAFFEY.

This was an action for goods sold and delivered. It ap-
peared that on the 29th Sept. the defendant, who is a pub-
lican, agreed with the plaintiff for thirty geese, at ss. 6d.
each, and twelve ducks at 2s. 6d, each, to be paid for in ready
money. The delivery was proved, and the payment of 51.
on account ; and the Jury found for the plaintiff, 5/. 2s. 6d.
(the balance), costs 40s.