The Sun.
London, England, 1865-04-04 00:00:00

THAMES.

EXTRAORDINARY HIGHWAY ROBBERY.—John Burns and
John Lyons, seamen, were brought befor Mr. Paget
charged with robbing John Franks on the Queen's high-
way.

The prosecutor said he belonged to the ship Golden
Horn, lying in the Victoria Dock. On Sunday night he
and two shipmates were in Well-close-square, and they
met the prisoners and another man, who offered to treat
them. They told the prisoners and their friends they had
no money. His shipmates were walking away, and Burns
came back and unbuttoned his coat and waistcoat and
pulled them off. Lyons took the garments from the other
prisoner and attempted to strike him. He ran away, and
Burns pursued him. He called for the police and gave
Burns in charge. He afterwards saw Lyons wearing the
stolen coat, and pointed him out to the police. The value
of the coat and waistcoat was 10s. Both prisoners were
intoxicated.

Joseph Orlando Nickols, of No. 17, Well-close-square,
saw the complainant running down an alley leading from
that square, and Burns at the top of the alley. He saw the
pyisoner Lyons with the prosecutor's coat and waistcoat on.

James Blackwell, a police-sergeant, No. 4 H, stated that
on Sunday night, at 45 minutes past 11, he was in Ship-
alley, Well-close-square. Burns was standing there,. and
the prosecutor by him, without his coat. Ho saw Lyons
coming up the alley with a coat under his arm. One of the
sleeves was turned inside out. Burns was extremely vio-
lent all the way to the station-house.

Other witnesses were examined in confirmation, who
made out that the intention of the prisoners was to decamp
with the prosecutor's coat and waistcoat. Both prisoners
had signed articles to proceed on a voyage in a ship which
left- Gravesend yesterday. All their clothes and their
chests and bedding were on board.

Lyons made no defence. Burns said he was wishing to
pay Franks for his coat and waistcoat. He would rather
do anything than be brought into disgrace for stealing a
sailor's coat, which he would not do on any account. He
had lost all his clothes and was a ruinedman, all owing to a
drop of drink.

Lyons here said he would propose to say a few words,
although he had previously declined to make any defence,
because he was so ashamed of himself. He worked his
way home from Calcutta for £1 per month, nominal wages,
and he had shipped here for good wages. He had a drop
too much, and did not know what he was about. He had
no intention, he was sure, to rob Franks, whom he met in
Calcutta.

Mr. Paget said he had no alternative but to commit the
prisoners for trial.

WESTMINSTER.

A STRANGE AFFAIR.—Maria Garvey, a miserable-looking
middle-aged woman, was charged with wilfully breaking
nine panes of glass at the house of Father Lambert, a
Catholic priest, living at 12, Earl-street, Westminster.
The Rev. Mr. Lambert said that nine panes of glass
were broken at his house last night by defendant, as he was
informed, and he gave her into custody, but he knew
nothing of the transaction.

Mr. Arnold said he must have the necessary proof.
The police replied that there was nobody present who
had witnessed her demolition of the window; but she had
said something to the policeman who had taken her.
Police-constable T. Eafract, 74 B, said he was sent for
to take her into custody, when she said she had broken
the windows and wished to be taken to the station. She
assigned as a reason for breaking the windows that he
had refused to do anything for her boy.
Mr. Arnold—Had she been drinking ?
Defendant—l had no money to get food much less
drink.
Constable—She was not drunk.

Defendant—Father Lambert would not help me, and I
was grieved to see my poor boy starving. All we had was
a pound of bread for three days. I made application to my
clergy for threepence to buy some cotton with, and I was