The Sun.
London, England, 1836-11-05 00:00:00

BOTV-STREET.

Yesterday an elderly man, attired in a military cloak,
and having altogether the appearance of a gentleman, was
placed at the bar, charged by a young man' named Luke
WiMama, on suspicion of having picked his pocket of a silk
handkerchief, value ss. The defendant, when put to the
bar, said his name was Richard Rolfe.
Mr. Williams was a clerk to a solicitor, and resided at
Union-terrace, Bagnigge-wells-road. About twelve o'clock
that (yesterday) morning, he was standing at the large pic-
ture-shop at the corner of Southampton-street, Strand,
where there were several others standing, and feeling a tug
at his pocket, he felt and found that his handkerchief, which
he knew was safe in his Left-hand coat-pocket a few minutes
before, was gone. He turned quickly round, and seeing
the defendant, who was the only person standing within
reach on his left-hand side, at once accused him of having
stolen his handkerchief. The defendant denied the fact,
observing, " I have no property of your's." The witness
persisted in the accusation, and the defendant said he would
accompany him anywhere. A crowd had begun to collect,
and they walked together until they came to Tavistock-
street, where they met police constable Mitchell, of the F
division, to whom witness gave the defendant in charge for
felony, and he was taken to the station-house, and from
thence brought to this office.
Mr. Hurls asked if he was searched ? Mitchell, the
constable, searched the defendant at the station-house, but
found no handkerchief upon him.
Mr. H ALL s asked Mitchell which he did not search him
the moment he had him given into charge ? Mitchell did
not think it necessary.

Mr. HALLS slid the constable had acted very wrong in
not doing so. He (Mr. H.) had repeatedly found occasion
to complain of the system adopted by many of the police in
not searching persons at once who were given in custody on
charges of felony.
Mitchel saw a crowd gathering, and thought it best to
tz,ke the defendant at once to the station-house, and search
him there.

Mr. HALLS said this was a strange mistake on the part
of an officer. A person charged with felony ought to un-
dcr,go a search on the spot.
Mitchell endeavoured to excuse himself by stating that
he took care to watch the defendant on the way, so that
he could not have dropped the handkerchief without his
perceiving it.

Mr. HALLS said that did not at all alter his opinion of
the manner in which the duty of a constable ought to be
performed. The worthy Magistrate then asked the defen-
dant what he had to say to the charge %
Mr. Rolfe denied the charge altogether ; the complainant
was entirely mistaken.

Mr. lIALLs-IMaTI ask who and what you are?
Mr. Rolfe—l am an independent gentleman, living on
my property, and have the honour of moving in the best so-
ciety. It cannot be supposed that I would run the risk
of beir:g placed in this situation for the sake of a paltry
pocket-handkerchief. I was indignant at the charge, but
consented to walk away with the complainant, because I
did not choose to incur the chance of being followed, and
perhaps insulted, by a mob.
Mr. HALLS said there was not the slightest ground of
charge against him, and he need not remain at the bar
another moment.
The defendant then bowed and retired.
Mr. Williams himself was convinced now of his own
mistake, although an impression of the opposite kind was
upon his mind at the time, and he regretted that the de-
fendant should have been inconvenienced.—The subject
then dropped.