The Sun.
London, England, 1841-03-27 00:00:00

ASSIZE INTELLIGENCE.

HOME CIRCUITTLLEivss, M4RCH 25.
CROWN COURT.
(Before Lord DENMAN.)
THE BEXHILL BURGLARY.-Thi3 morning being ap-
pcint?.d for the trial of the gang of desperadoes charged
with the burglarious outrage at Bexhill, which has created
so much interest in the county, the Court was filled a long
time before Lord DENMAN took his seat upn the bench.
The prisoners were then placed at the bar.
Henry Easton, alias Old Flick, alias Reuben Stubber-
field, alias Henry Stubberfield, 28, James Martin, alias
Stephen Merchant, 25, James Foster, alias Uncle, 23,
Thomas Balcombe, 23, and Charles Foster, 19, were in-
dicted for burglariously breaking and entering the dwel-
lirg-hoine of Samuel Holland, at Bexhill, and stealing 40
sovereigns, ten Si notes of the Hastings Bank, a si!ver
watch, and a variety of otbrr property to the valve of
newly 400/. ; and Wiliam Foster, 38, and Edward Ede,
22, were charged with feloniously receiving part of the
stolen property, and Willisu Foster was also charged with
harbouring and maintaining one of the principal felons,
we 1-knowing that be had committed the felony.
Mr. CLARKSON, Mr. BODKIN, and Mr. TYNDALE con-
ducted the prosecution, sad Mr. CHAMBERS, Mr. COBSETT,
and Mr. CREASY defended the prisoners.
Mr. CLARKSON, in stating the case to the Jury, said that
the outrage imputed to the prisoners was one which pro-
baby never betore was equalled in tbat or any other coun-
ty in England ; and the prisoners had probably good
reason to congratulate themselves that the offence with
which they were charged was no longer capital, for if it
were, the result of a conviction would in all probability
have been that their lives would be forfeited. After de.
tailing the facts of the case the Learned Counsel proceeded
to cal the witnesses.

Mr. Samuel Holland deposed that he was a farmer re-
siding at Bexhill. Oa the 4th of January be went to bed
at his usual hour, and he was awoke about two o'clock by
a light shining on his eyes, and he saw a man standing at
the loot of the bed with a candle in one hand, and what
appeared to be a large knife in the other. This man said,
"We be come for your money." I turned and saw three
other men in the room ; I believe the prisoner Easton to
be the one who held the candle; I believe Charles Foster
to be another man who was in the 'room ; there were two
other men, but I cannot identify them. I got out of bed
arenilangsavaendthteilvfiresrt. man Ithstle:
aaaip du: , v
be,
Where is h
containing some
key o
escve-f
that?" pniating to a bureau, and at the same moment an-
other man broke it open and took out three 101. Hastings
bank flutes, and a small bag containing between 30 or 40
sovereigns. The first man then took up my coat that was
1) ing by the side of the bed, and from my pocket-book he
took ten 51. Hastings bank notes and a bill of exchange for
4ioati.,:end also the pocket.
enTwheere not in
1001. The men took awa,yehmieyr
book and two silk handke
the rcom altogether more th-im five minutems.
Easton hail on a dark smock frock and a black lr"oner
were g
years of age, but Toy
Foster had on a low white hat. Alter the mer,
I missed my watch that had been hanging at the foot
diefaeinctisviel.tY-Itwdld not see Easton until
the Foster,
foot
and
the lead.
eyeilliam
rgohs st is
sx antrieitn
veeifd
whoen Ws
lat first thought he was the out of
the sth of Febru ry, but Ihmadanse
my (Onion had changed befo:e I saw Henry
Easton. hed , but
Easton my
is the man who broke open the bureau
and who took my coat and money.
There was no light
in the room but from the candle the man held in .h s and.
By the COURT—
lam quite confident Easton one of
the men.
Miss Anne Holland—l remember, on the night in gm-
tiet, fastenieg up the house as usual. Mr. Fuggles, a
visitor, two female servants, myself, and sister, arid the pre-
reenter, were staying in the house, and at tvrelve o'clock
all the family were in bed. About one o'clock I was
alarmed and got out of bed, and attempted to open the
door, but was prevented in consequence of some person
holding it on the outside. My sister also get ups atlci she
said " What do you want ?" A yak*, replied, " Money,
and money we will have." I bagged tht t they would not
hurt my uncle, and Isaid I would give them what money
I had. The door was then partially opened, arid I handed
out my purse, and it was taken by some one. Some ore
then said " Your uncle shall net be hurt." In about five
minutes the men appeared to go down stairs, and I thc n
went to my uncle's room and found it in a terrible state;
there was a quantity of blood and the curtains of the bei
were torn down. I picked up a percussion cap, and under
the bed I found the parlour. poker. I went down stairs
and found the parlour shutter window burst open and the
glass of the window broken. The front door had been
opened, and the people appeared to have gone out that
way. My undo never us! d a pieTussion gun, and was not ,
in possesionot any gun caps. I saw Mr. F„,ggit•s zildiodt
directly, and he was in a very bad state, and appeared to i
have been beaten and ill-used.