The Sun.
London, England, 1862-11-01 00:00:00

WESTMINSTER,

EXTRAORDINARY CHARGE 01? BURGLARY. - Peter
Clare, a private in the Royal Marines, was charged with
breaking and entering the dwelling house of Mr. John
Wilson, of 21, Brornpton-row.
Mr. Wilson stated that at between two and three o'clock
this morning he was disturbed by hearing some one in his
garden, and the breaking of a window. He went down
stairs and found the prisoner there fn the kitchen. He was
drunk.

Mr. Paynter.—How did he get in ?
Mr. Wilson—The servant had neglected to fasten the
shutter of the kitchen, and prisoner having opened the win-
dow, forced it back.

Mr. Paynter (to prisoner)—What have you to say to
this ?

Prisoner—l throw myself entirely upon your mercy. I
don't know anything that happened.
Mr. Paynter—Your offence is even greater than being
found in the house for a felonous purpose. You have
broken the house.

Prisoner—l am sure lam very sorry.
Police-constable William Stratton, 344 B, said he
'ound the prisoner in the kitchen; he did not say any-

thing.
The Clerk—Was he in his uniform as now ?
Witness—Yes, with the exception of his trousers; he
had no trousers on.
Mr. Paynter—No trousers on.

Witness--No; he had taken them off and left them on
;he garden wall.

Prisoner—lt seems I was going to turn in; it is not
Likely if I knew what I was about that I should take my
rousers off out of doors.

Mr. Paynter—How came you at Brompton last night ?
-

Prisoner—l left Chatham yesterday afternoon on leave
of absence till Monday. My pass and return railway ticket
were found in my pocket.
The police-constable produced them.

Prisoner —I had been to see a friend in Leader-street, and
I don't know what occurred afterwards. I had no inten-
tion of doing wrong,

Mr. Paynter—Perhaps you had not, but you alarmed
this family in the dead of the night, and ought to be very
sorry. Through your intoxication you make yourself ap-
pear a burglar, but as it is clear to me that it was all through
drink I shall discharge you.

SOUTHWARK.
DARING ROBBERY AT A RAILWAY STATION, AND
LENIENT SENTENCE.—Thomas Hunter, a smart-looking
young fellow, was brought before Mr. Burcham, by Ser-
geant Scannell, of the detective police, charged with steal-
ing a pocket•book from the person of Mr.W. B. Kitchen, on
the platform of the South-Eastern Railway, London-
bridge.

Mr. William Head, one of the inspectors in the employ
of the company, said that on the previous afternoon he saw
the prisoner on the arrival platform of the North Kent
Railway, just as a train was about to start for Dover.
There was considerable bustle at the time, on account of
the train arriving and another leaving. Witness saw the
prisoner busy among the crowd, and as he was leading an
elderly gentleman towards a carriage, the prisoner was
given into his custody for stealing a pocket-book from a
gentleman named Kitchen, who proceeded by the mail
train to the Continent, therefore he was unable to pro-
secute.

George Snooks, one of the porters in the employ of the
company. said he was performing his duty on the plat-
form of toe main line when he saw a gentleman seize hold
of the prisoner and call out, " You vagabond, you have
stolen my pocket-book." Witness went up to the spot and
caught hold of the prisoner, on which he threw the pocket-
book produced at witness's feet. He picked it up, and Mr.
Kitchen identified it as his property; and as he was going
to Germany he was unable to attend to prosecute.
Mr. Burcham asked if anything was known of the pri-
soner.

Sergeant Scannell replied that he did not exactly know
him, but from the manner in which he committed the rob-
bery no doubt he was an expert thief.
Mr. Burcham asked the prisoner whether he would be
tried by him or go to the sessions.

The prisoner eagerly embraced his worship's offer and
pleaded guilty, when
_ _ _

- Mr. Burcham said that although there was no evidence
to show that he had been committed before, he had no doubt
he was an experienced thief. He should therefore sentence
him to six months' hard labour at Wandsworth.