The Sun.
London, England, 1863-02-27 00:00:00

THAMES.

BEEF AND BRUSHES.—Emma Evans, aged 43, a very
plausible woman, and described as a laundress, of No. 7,
Carr-street, Limehouse, was brought before Mr. Selfe, on
remand, charged with stealing a piece of beef and 19
brushes.
A few days since a police constable named William Car-
ter, No. 78 K, was called upon by a butcher to take the pri-
soner into custody for stealing a large joint of prime beef,
which he found concealed under her shawl, as she was
leaving his shop, where she had been cheapening some
meat. She threw herself on her knees and implored for-
giveness, declaring that she was a widow, with 7 fatherless
children, and so far prevailed on the tender sympathies of
the butcher, that he condoned the felony by receiving the
price of his beef from the prisoner, whom he then
released. Carter, however, determined to arrest her again,
and his reason for doing so was -.that he found 19 new
brushes in her possession. On being asked to account
for them she first said they were made by her late husband,
who was a brush maker, and that she was going to the
shop of a rag dealer to sell them. She afterwards gave
other accounts relating to her possession of the brushes.
Mr. Henry Johnson, oil and colourraan, of No. 2, Bull-
lane, Stepney, 113 W identified 10 of the new brushes which
he missed from his shop the day the prisoner was taken
into custody. The prisoner was in the practice of dealing
at his shop.
Carter said he had now 9 new brushes in his possession
which had not been identified.
Mr. Selfe—And which I have no doubt have been stolen
by the prisoner. They are all new brushes.
Carter—They are, sir. The prisoner first said she was
going to an oil shop to sell them, then to a rag shop, that
her husband was a brushmaker, and that her daughter
worked at the trade. On reaching the station-house she
said her husband was alive, and was a watchman.
The depositions having been completed by Mr. ryer, the
chief clerk, the prisoner was asked if she would plead or
prefer a trial at the sessions.
The prisoner (wringing her hands)-oh, sir, lam inno-
cent, perfectly innocent. I bought the brushes of a man
who lodged in my
house four years ago.
Mr. Selfe—What many lies you have told about the
brushes. That is another. Why nine of the brushes are
identified by Mr. Johnson. Are you guilty or not guilty 9

The prisoner—I am guilty of having them in my posse

sion. I did not steal them.
Mr. Selfe—Then, I shall commit you for trial.
The prisoner—Oh, sir,
I am guilty, guilty, guilty, guilty,
I have seven small children.
Mr. Seife—And a terrible example you have shown

them. Are you guilty of stealing the nine brushes identi-
fied by Mr, Johnson or not. Don't plead if you wish to go
for trial.

The prisoner—l am guilty of the bcef and brushes.
Mr. Selfe—l have nothing to do with the beef. You stole
that and paid for it.
The prisoner—I am guilty, sir.
Mr. Selfe—l convict you of larceny, and sentence you to
three monthe' imprisonment and hard labour. You are a
most artful and wicked woman, and you robbed the butcher
of his beef, and then was allowed to pay for it. That ought
not to have been done, and felons should not be condoned
on any pretence.