The Sun.
London, England, 1849-09-24 00:00:00

On Saturday Charles Thomas, a well-dressed
young man, who has several aliases, was charged
before Alderman Farebrother with fraudulently ob-
taining fancy silk goods to the amount of
407. 17s. 11d., from Mr. Heilaby, of No. 7, Huggin-
lane, stock, brace, and belt manufacturer.
Mr. Walker, from the office of Messrs. Mardon
and Prichard, appeared to prosecute on behalf of the
City of London Trades' Protection Society ; and
Mr. Beard. from Mr. Buchanan's office, defended the
prisoner.
Mr. Walker said, the prisoner had obtained goods
from various tradesmen in the names of James
Thomas, Thomas Brandon, Thomas Hogg, &c., but,
as the prisoner had only been apprehended that
morning, he would at present only produce enough
evidence to justify a remand, as there had not been
sufficient tune to get all the witnesses necessary to go
fully into the inquiry.
Mr. Farrar, traveller to Mr. Hellaby, stated-that he
called at the prisoner's house, No. 20, Clarence-street,
Greenwich, and solicited an order, when he gave him
a reference to Mr. James Bickham, of No. 6, Noel-
street, Duncan-terrace, City-road, whom he stated to
be a gentleman keeping his gig and servant, and in
good circumstances. Witness went to that address,
and saw Mr. Bickham, who said Mr. Thomas was a
highly respectable man, and in confirmation of that
fact gave witness the document produced :
" 6, Noel. street, Duncan. terrace.
" Sir,—l know Mr. Thomas is a respectable man, and
you are quite safe in any transaction you may have with
him.—Yours, &c. " T. BICKHAM."
Witness called about six weeks since at No. 6, Noel-
street, and found the house empty, and was informed
that Mr. Bickham had absconded, after swindling
most of the tradesmen of the neighbourhood. Wit-
ness saw the prisoner carrying on business in Cla-
rence-street and Nelson street, Greenwich, up to
Wednesday last, since which time he had taken away
the whole of the property, but where to had not
yet been found. The prisoner was apprehended that
morning at No. 4, Ebenezer-row, Bermondsey, at a
private house, where there was little or no furniture,
and about half-a-dozen bonnets, but none of the
goods Mr. Hellaby had supplied were there.
Mr. Thirtell, from the firm of Messrs. Vyse and
Sons, merchants and straw hat manufacturers, Crip-
plega te-buildings, stated that the prisoner had
obtained a quantity of goods from his employers in
the name of Thomas Hogg, and he gave as a reference
a Mr. Wills, of Maze-pond. On calling there, the
house and furniture appeared to be respectable, and
there was an old brass plate on the door, and the
reference was considered good. As, however, the
money was not forthcoming, a call was made a day or
two afterwards at Mr. Wills's house, when it was
found that the bird had flown, but not before favour-
ing some of the tradespeople with orders.
The prisoner was then remanded until Tuesday
next, and bail for his appearance was refused.
It was mentioned in court, that the Mr. Bickham
who was referred to was no other than Collett, alias
Boodle, alias Downing, who was one of the references
of Beale, committed for trial a short time since for
attempting to obtain 1001. from " Wilson's Charity.'
Mr. Bickham, with his aliases and his wife, have,
however, since died of cholera.