The Sun.
London, England, 1858-11-01 00:00:00

BOW-STREET.

ROBBING A WORKHOUSB.—A young man, named Ball,
was placed at the bar, charged with stealing a quantity of
wearing apparel, the property of the guardians of the
Strand Union.

Mr. Hughes said—Between the night of the 14th and
morning of the 15th last May the tailors' shop of the Strand
Union was broken into, and a quantity of wearing apparel
stolen. The entry had been effected by breaking away
the large ventilator of the room. In a short time after the
robbery became known a letter, written by the: pri-
soner, who was an inmate of the house, was discovered.
It ran as follows :—" This is done for taking away my
knife, catch me if you can. W. Ball." From that time
until Saturday last nothing had been heard of the prisoner,
when he applied at the workhouse for a night's lodging ; a
policeman was then sent for, and he was given into custody.
Police-constable E 56 said—l took the prisoner into cus-
tody—He said he was the person who committed the rob-
bery, and that he sold some of the stolen articles in Kent,
and the rest he had worn out.

Mr. Jardine—Well, what have you to say to this charge ?
Prisoner—l've got nothing to say. I did the business,
and I plead guilty.
Mr. Jardine—l shall send you to prison for six months.
RIVAL ARTISTS —Thomas Smith, a man of about 45
years of age, was charged with threatening to "do for"
Mrs. Barnasconi, the wife of a photographic artist, carry-
ing on business at New-street, Covent-garden.
Mr. Barnasconl said—On Saturday I was at home when
the prisoner came upstairs, and, without the slightest cere-
mony, entered my apartments and commenced using very
bad language. I ordered him to quit the place, but he
refused, and dared me to touch him. I took hold
of his collar to eject him, and a scuffle ensued,
when my wife ran for a constable. The prisoner has
threatened to shoot my wife, and then afterwards to blow
his own brains out, as he would never be taken alive. On
Saturday night he threatened to "do" for my wife, and
I feel sure that, unless something is done, some day or
other he will carry out his threat.
Mrs. Barnasconi said—On Saturday the prisoner entered
our apartments in a state of intoxication, and commenced
using bad language. I became alarmed, and said I would
go for a policeman, upon which he said, "If you go for
a policeman, you shan't live." He has frequently
threatened to shoot me. I am very much afraid of him,
and I feel my life is in danger. I have known the prisoner
for two years. I have been married a year and eight

months.
Mr. Jardine (addressing the prisoner)—Have you any
questions to put to the witness ?
Prisoner—She's a great deal too good for her husband.
Mr. Jardine—You can make your statement presently ;
but have you any questions to ask ?

Prisoner—No.
Mr. Jardine—You can now say anything you please.
Prisoner—All this is caused through jealousy on account
of my being in the same business as the complainant. For
some time he's had the run of the business in New-street,
and a few days ago a strong opposition was got up, and, as
a natural consequence, "the cutting system" was carried
on with such intensity that, I believe, the police were about
to interfere to put an end to the nuisance. I had been over
once or twice to make peace and to come to some
arrangement in regard to the prices which we should
charge for the future, and an 'agreement was then
made that the low prices should be abolished, but the agree-
ment was violated by the complainant, who commenced
working cheaper than ever. I went over last Saturday to
speak to him about this circumstance, when I was treated
in a manner I did not deserve, as I have been a good friend
to the complainant. I never intended doing any harm to
his wife.
Mr. Jardine—The constable who took you into custody
also heard you threaten the lady. I must protect her from
your threats. You must enter into your own surety in
the sum of £5O, and your partner must also do the same to
the amount of £2O, to keep the peace towards the complain-
ant and his wife for six months.
The bail form having been gone through, the parties left
the court.