The Sun.
London, England, 1856-09-20 00:00:00

THAMES.

DARING- HIGHWAY ROBBERY BY THREE WOMEN.--
Elizabeth, Smith, Mary Ann West, and Mar•y Williams,
women of the town, were brought before Mr. Selfe, on
remand, charged with assaulting Mr. James Archer, a
tailor, putting him in fear, and stealing from his person
a silver watch value 6/.

The prosecutor, an elderly man, residing at No. 32,
Charlotte-street, Whitechapel, said on Wednesday
night last, between 9 and 10 o'clock, he was on his way
home in Whitechapel, when three women sprung upon
him in an instant, and one struck him while the others
hustled him, and his watch disappeared in a moment.
He could swear to two of the prisoners, Smith and
West. The former took his watch. He was not quite
certain of the identity of Williams. She was not dressed
like the third woman. He believed she was one of the
women who attacked. him, and that she had changed her
dress.

Frederick Law, a police constable No. 170 li, stated
that he took West and Smith into custody at 10 o'clock
on Wednesday night, and the former prisoner said they
were not in Whitech.z.- pel at all that night. Smith said,
"I say the same. I know who it is ; but lam not
going to turn round." West then said to the other,
" Hold your tongue, or you will spoil the b-gjob.”

Ben3amiu Paole, assistant to Mr. Somerville Telfer,
178, St. George-street, alias Ratsliff-high way, stated
that the prisoner Williams came in to his master's shop
on Friday (yesterday) and offered a watch in pawn for
50s. He offered her 21. upon it, and she said that would
do. He looked at a description of stolen property fur-
nished by the police, and found the watch thus described
as having been stolen, and then detained the prisoner.
Coleman, 70 EC, e:lid Williams gave a foise address,
and declared that a man she lived with gave her the
watch.

Mr. Archer identified the watch produced, and the
prisoners were committed for trial.

A VERY DEAR NAP.---Sarah Burt, a woman of the
town, aged 22, of No. 3, Albert-square, Albert-street,
Shadwell, was brought before Mr. Selfe, charged with
stealing 21. 10s. from Robert Bennett, a seaman.
It appeared from the evidence that the sailor was pass-
ing along a notorious place called Albert-square, when
he was invited by the prisoner, a well-known thief, to
step in and rest himself. He did so, and in return for
the politeness extended towards him sent for some grog,
and feeling sleepy asked if he might be allowed to take
a nap. Consent was given and he stretched himself on
a bed, and soon fell asleep. When he awoke he missed
all his money, 51. 10s. in gold, and demanded its restora-
tion. One of the women in the house returned him three
sovereigns, and said that was all the money she had, and
ran away. The prisoner was about to follow her when
the sailor detained leer and gave her into custody.
In answer to a question from the magistrate, the sailor
said he was sure he bad five sovereigns and a half sove-
reign when he Entered the house in Albert-square. He
did not see the prisoner in the room where he was sleep-
ing. _ _

Mr. Self said the sailor had enjoyed a very expensive
nap, and was a very lucky fellow, for the loose women
in the district were all thieves, who never missed rob-
bing sailors when they had an opportunity. He was
only surprised the sailor was not plundered of every
farthing he had about him, and his clothes taken away,
in the den into which be was inveigled. There was no
evidence to justify him in detaining the prisoner, and she
must be discharged.