The Sun.
London, England, 1863-09-17 00:00:00

SOUTHWARK.

THE SOCIAL EVlL.—Edward Shields, a smart-looking
young fellow, was placad at the bar before Mr. Burcham
for final examination, charged with being concerned with a
female, not in custody, in stealing a valuable gold ring and
four sovereigns from the Rev. William Poynden, incum-
bent of Home, in Surrey, who, on the last examination,
gave the name of William Pearson.
Mr. Perry, from the office of Mr. Buchanan, appeared for
the prosecution, and stated that his client was at present
residing at Radley's Hotel, Bridge-street, Blackfriars, and
on Friday night, while standing outside the latter, was
accosted by a young woman who told him she could take
him to the person who had stolen his watch—he having
been robbed of his watch a short time age.

Mr. Burcham observed that he recollected the prosecutor
at this court some months ago, charging two young girls
with robbing him. He seemed rather fond of lecturing
females in the streets, and afterwards finding himself in a
disreputable house,
Mr. Perry told his worship that he knew nothing about
that. He was instructed to say that the female in question
took him over Blackfriars-bridge, and when near the Ele-
phant and Castle she suddenly seized hold of him, robbed
him of his ring and four sovereigns, and decamped. The
prisoner rushed up to her, and the ring was found on him.
He called

The prosecutor, an elderly, grey headed gentleman, who
at first objected to give his real name and address. Ha
thought the name of Pearson was quite sufficient for the
ends of justice.
Mr. Burcham told him if he intended to proceed against
the prisoner he must giva his real name and address,what-
over the consequence must be.
The prosecutor then stated his name to be the Rev.
William Poynden, incumbent of Horne, in the county of
Surrey. At present he was staying at Radley's Hotel,
Bridge-street, Blackfriars, On the night of Friday last
while standing outside the latter place, a female accosted
him. He repelled her several times, but when she told him
she knew where he could find the watch that had been stolen
from him by another female he spoke to her and proceeded
with her °via. Blackfriars-bridge. They went on convers-
ing together past the Magdalen, up the London-road, but
never entered any house with her. While he was giving
her some good advice she suddenly seized hold of him,
wrenched the wring off the left hand and decamped. He
saw nothing of the prisoner until he attempted to capture
the female, and he distinctly saw her pass something to
him, when he zan off. Witness then pursued him, calling
out "Stop thief," and saw him stopped and taken into
custody, and the ring was found, but whether the constable
gave it to him or the prisoner he could not tell, as there
was so much contusion. Witness knew that some one
placed it in his hand.
In cross •examination by Mr. Edwin for the prisoner,
witness said that he never saw the prisoner until after the
female had robbed him, when he came between them. He
had never taken any liberties with the female, neither had
he made any immoral proposals to her, but accompanied her
merely to see if he could find any clue to his stolen watch.
William Lamar, carman, residing in Pitt-street, St.
George's-road, said that about one o'clock on Saturday
morning he was near his home when he heard a cry of " Stop
thief," and saw the prisoner running towards him. He
stopped him, and while they were struggling together the
prosecutor came up and asked him for his ring. The pri-
soner then handed the ring to the gentleman, and at that
moment a constable came up and took him into custody.
Police-constable James Sianage, 89 L, said that he took
the prisoner into custody, and received the ring produced
from the prosecutor.

Mr. Burcham said that the prisoner was remanded with
the view of finding the female who actually stole the
property, and inquired if she had been found ?

The constable replied that she had not, although he had
made every inquiry about her. The prisoner, however,
denied all knowledge of her and the ring also.
Mr. Burcham observed that if such was the case he tio st
be committed for trial.

Mr. Edwin hoped his worship would deal summarily
with
the prisoner, as he pleaded guilty to the charge.
Mr. Burnham had no doubt of his guilt, and that he wasconnected with a gang of females who prowled about the
street at midnight decoying old gentlemen, and robbing
them, when he was ready at hand to receive whatever plun-
der they might have obtained. He, therefore, sentenced
him to six months' hard labour in the House of Correction
at Wandsworth.