The Sun.
London, England, 1865-02-11 00:00:00

POLICE INT

:,—This Day.

WESTMINSTER.
IMPUDENT ROBBERY BY A WOMAN.—Rebecca Martin, a
woman about 27 years of age, of slovenly appearance, was
charged with stealing a large roll of flannel, value £1 155.,
under the following impudent circumstances.
Mrs. Emily Spanton, of 43, Rochester-row, Westminster,
wife of a draper, said that the roll of flannel which was
the subject of prosecution, forty yards in length, was
standing on a fixture inside the door of the shop with a
number of other things. At about a quarter to six last
evening prosecutrix was sitting in the parlour adjoining
the shop suckling her child, when she saw the prisoner
step inside the door and pretend to examine some calico.
She then looked around her, and immediately taking up the
roll of flannel concealed it with her shawl, and deliberately
walked away. Prosecutrix immediately put down her
infant, and following the prisoner stopped her three or
four doors off, and told her she had stolen her flannel, and
seized her. The prisoner them forced herself away, and
was endeavouring to escape, when Mr. Bottrill, jun., a
neighbour, secured her, and she dropped the flannel.
Mr. Selfe—Was she sober ?
Prosecutrix—She appeared so.
Prisoner—l had fallen out with my husband, and went
and got some drink. I have got a baby lying very bad at
home.

Mr. Selfe—That has nothing to do with the charge.
The prisoner now pleaded guilty, saying she supposed
she must have taken the flannel.
Mr. Selfe asked what was known of her ?
The police said nothing. They had no opportunity of
knowing, as she had refused her address until a few
minutes ago.

Mr. Selfe remanded prisoner for inquiry to be made re.
specting her.

MARLBOEOUGH-STREET.

CRUELTY TO A HORSE BY A COLONEL'S GROOM.—Efellry
Pringsley, groom to Colonel Adair, of 7, Audley-square,
appeared before Mr. Knox, to answer a summons, for
cruelly beating a horse, the property of his master.
Mr. Edward Dillon Lewis, of Great Marlborough-street,
appeared for the defendant, Itnd Mr. William Love, chief
officer of the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty
to Animals, attended to watch the 'case.

The case was proved by Lord Godolphin Osborne, and
Wm. Cane, 35 0, who both saw the defendant strike the
horse in a cruel manner between the ears with the butt-
end of a riding whip, the defendant at the time having
been drinking.

Mr. Lewis addressed the magistrate in the defendant's
behalf, and called several witnesses, all of whom said the
defendant was very kind to his horses, that he had trained
several for his master, and that the horse was a young one,
and therefore required some punishment.

Mr. Knox said he would give the defendant the benefit
of the good character he had heard of him from his master,
who had sent him a letter. Re had no doubt the defendant
had ill used the mare, and that he had been drinking at the
time.

The defendant was fined 405., or a month in default.
THE CHARGE OF CONSPIRING TO SET FIRE TO A HOUSE.—
Henry Gray, described as a French merchant, of No. 96,
Oakley-street, Chelsea, was brought before Mr. Knox by
I Sergeant Druscovitch, of the detective force, on a warrant
charging him with conspiring with others to set fire to the
house of Mr. Picon, 21A, Frith-street, Soho.
Mr. Edward Dillon Lewis, of Great Marlborough-street,
appeared for the prosecution, and Mr. Albert interpreted.
Some of the evidence already taken, and which affects
the prisoner, having been read over, Mr. Knox said the
prisoner would be remanded till the day the other prisoners
were brought up.

The prisoner asked permission to make7a statement.
Mr. Knox cautioned him that Whatever he said would be
taken down and used in evidence against him.
The prisoner then entered into a lengthened statement
of his connection with Meyer.
He was then remanded.