The Sun.
London, England, 1830-02-26 00:00:00

UNION.IIALL.

Yesterday two men, named Jonathan Oakrs and Jonathan
Plummer, were brought before the sitting Magistrate, Mr.
SWABEY, charged, on suspicion, of breaking into the Duke of
St. Albans' villa at Highgate, and stealing therein a French dial
clock, value 40 guineas, together with two cut-glass vases, worth
' six guineas each • and William Rushy, an appraiser and general
dealer, at Brentford, was charged with receiving the same,
knowing them to have been stolen.
Mr. Harrison, the Duke's private secretary, stated that on the
night of the 13th inst. his Grace's villa was broken into, the
thievcs having effected an entrance by forcing back a sliding door
which led into the conservatory, from whence they succeeded in
obtaining access to the dwelling-house by forcing an inner door,
which communicated with the same. Having surmounted these •
impediments, the thieves, it appeared, immediately proceeded
to the drawing-room, from whence they carried off the articles
above specified, being the only property therein of a portable de-
scription.
Curtis, the officer, from information he received concerning
the robbery, and the manner in which it was effected, went to
Brentford on Wednesday, accompanitxliby the Duke's Secretary,
and Mr. Smart, clock and watch-maker. On inquiry at the shop
of Mr. Butcher, a pawnbroker, near the Market-place, they as-
certained that thel clock and two vases in question were pledged
there on the 20th inst., by the prisoner Kilsby, for (i/. Having
ascertained Kilsby's address, which is in the same town, the of-
ficer immediately proceeded thither, and he at once admitted
that he had pledged the articles at Butcher's shop, and, in ex-
planation of the manner in which the articles had come into his
possession, he said that the prisoner Plummer, with whom he
had a slight acquaintance, knowing him to have been formerly a
dealer in marine stores, came to him, and having communicated
that he knew of a bargain of a dial and two vases, recommended
the articles to him, adding that he knew where they were to be
sold, asking, at the same time, 21, for his trouble in the business,
if Kilsby became the purchaser of them. Kilsby then told the
officer that he had purchased the lot for 5/. at a small iron shop,
in Gee's-court, Oxford-street, and thither Curtis insisted on be-
ing taken ; and, on his entrance into the place, the two prisoners
were pointed out by Kilsby as the parties with whom he had the
transaction. Curtis immediately apprehended Oaks and Plum-
mer, and having obtained possession of the dial and vases, they
were produced before the Magistrate, who, on seeing them ex-
pressed his confident belief that the man who purchased such ar-
ticles for W. must have been fully aware that they were not ho-
nestly conic by, but the produce of some robbery.
Kilsby said that on the 10th instant, while he was at the
Half-way-house, between Kensington and Hammersmith, taking
refreshment, Plummer, of whom he had some previous know-
ledge, came into the room, and having told him that he could
recommend him to a great bargain, and mentioned the nature
of it, said that he expected 2/. for his trouble. lie then accom-
panied Plummer to Oaks's shop, in Gee's-court, where he had a
view of the articles, for which he was first asked 20 guineas by
Oaks, whom he ultimately beat down in the price, and gave him
five guineas for the lot.
Mr. Swanm----This explanation you have given of the trans-
action between you and the prisoner tends to heighten my sus-
picion. I shall, therefore (added the Magistrate), have you
taken into custody along with the other men.
Kilsby—For God's sake, Sir, don't send me to gaol. You will
ruin me for ever if you do. I have lived in Brentford for years,
where I bear an unblemished character.

Mr. SWADEY remarked on the extraordinary fact of Kilsby
having pledged the very articles he purchased for 61. at a pawn-
broker's shop, within twenty-four hours afterwards, the prolific.
tor of which lent him 11. more than he had given for them.
Kilsby accounted for this by saying that he had repaired the
clock the moment he had made the purchase.
Mr. SWAMI' was, at first view of the case, disposed to take bail
for Kilsby's appearance at the Assizes ; but that intention was
now out of the question.
Kilsby became dreadfully agitated, and appeared unconscious
of what he was about. He suddenly turned round from the Ma-
gistrate and paced to and fro the office apparently in great agony
of mind: Having at length become more calm, he impatiently
inquired if bail to a large amount would not be taken for his ap-
pearance; " for," said he, " I know Mr. Crichton, the Magi-
oureties. Besides," added he, "my stock is valuable; and 1
prisoners
er understand‘c,were
ethe
then
that
taken
eI
namf r
onmo
hneo
bar committing
o t:tnhg..
every thing rather than be sent, under
by
would prefer giving up
strate at Brentford, would have no objection to be one of my
such a charge, to gaol."
Mr. SIVABEY--I have made up my mind not to accept bail, but,
you for trial. I shall merely remand you till next Wednesday,
when you will be brought up for further examination with the
other prisoners.
man, the gaoler; and Kilsby
a t
Theh e
mind, directions were given that he '"
thin in his possmion,
tshamreee
might be deprived of any