The Sun.
London, England, 1840-01-13 00:00:00

UNION-HALL.

CHARGB OF SHOPLIFTIN(7I.—karyAnn Williams and
Mary Blundell, two dashingly-dressed married women,,
were brought before Mr. Traill, charged with shop.
lifting.
James Miles, an assistant in the shop of Messrs. White
and Greenwell, Blackfriars-road, linen-drapers, stated
that, on the preceding afternoon, the '.wo prisoners came
into the shop together, and requested to be shown patterns
of lace and ribbon. Witness placed a drawer containing
lace on the counter for their inspection, and, having ex-
amined the article, Blundell expressed a desire to look at
some of
.a different quality, and when ho was'about to take
the drawer away from before .them, she desired him to
leave it where it was, while he turned to fetch the
other laee. At this moment witness saw Williams
cautiously take out a card of lace and pass it under
her shawl ; but at that time he did not say anything on the
subject. He then brought another drawer of lace, and put it
before them, and also a quantity of ribbon, on examining
which, they purchased a few yards of each, and were
about leaving the shop, when the witness intimated his sus-
picions to one of the partners, who went up to the pri-
soners and requested them to step intothe counting-house.
The prisoners, without hesitation, went there, and were
then informed that they had been seen purloining lace, and
that they must submit to be searched before they were suf-
fered to quit the premises. They both assumed to be
highly indignant that suspicion should attach tolhem, say-
ing that they were rt,spectable married women, and not
such persons as they were suspected. A female assistant
was then called into the room for the purpose of examining
the prisoners, who at this time were seated on chairs close
together. William rose off the chair, in order to throw
open her cloak, when the witness Miles saw three cards of
lace, containing 43 yards, slip down between her cloak and
gown, and fall at the feet of the chair on which she had
been sitting. Miles then told Blundell that be suspected
she had stolen some ribbons, and had no sooner said the
words than he saw her drop a roll of scarlet rib-
bon on the floor at her feet. On this discovery they both
begged forgiveness, and requested to be permitted to go,
saying that they would pay for all, as they had money ; and
adding that they were ignorant how the articles came into
their possession. A constable was sent for, and they were
given in charge. _ _

Sergeant dements, of the L division, stated that, on
examining Williams, he found 141. uis. 6d. in money, and
on Blundell nearly 31. At the station-house they both
said that they were married women, but refused to give
their addresses, saying that they did not wish to reflect dis-
grace on their families ; and added, that they should not
send to inform their friends of their situation.
The prisoners, who said nothing in answer to the charge,
were committed.

Mr. Price, the solicitor who attended on behalf of the
prisoners, made an application for the restoration of the
money found in their possession, ln order to enable them to
pay the expenses of their defence.

The MAGISTRATE, however, refused to make any order
on the subject, saying that the money was in the hands of
the police, and that, upon application to the Judge, pro-
bably he might order it to be given up.