The Sun.
London, England, 1867-05-07 00:00:00

NEW COURT.

John Balls, a labourer, was indicted with stealing a
watch and chain, the property of Mr. Charles Cadge.
When the prisoner was brought up ho refused to plead.
The learned Judge call©d upon the prison surgeon to say
whether there was anything to lead him to believe that
the prisoner was of unsound mind.
Tho Surgeon said he knew of nothing to induce him to
come to that belief. The prisoner had conducted himself
in a quiet manner, but he had zontned ibis speech to say-
ing in answer to every questioit put to him—" I want some
more beer." One of the warders of Newgate also said the
prisoner, he believed, was merely assuming his present
conduct.

The learned Judge, addressing the jury, said it would be
for them to say whether, after the evidence they had
heard, the prisoner was mute by malice. If so, he could
be dealt with in the ordinary ray.
The jury being of opinion that the prisoner was mute
of malice, whereupon the prisoner was tried without
pleading. The evidence was to the effect that on the 2nd
of the month the prosecutor was walking down Fenchurck-
■treet, when the prisoner snatched away the watch and ran
away. The police-constable on duty saw the theft
committed, and pursued the prisoner, eventually securing
him after he had run a considerable distance. Before,
however, he took him into custody, prisoner threw the
watch away, and when he was at the station, after the
charge had been entered, he said ho had merely done the
trick for a lark.
The jury returned a verdict of guilty.
A former conviction having been proved against the
prisoner, the learned judge sentenced him to seven years'
penal servitude.

POLICE liITELLIGESCE.—This Day.

MARLBOROUGR-STREET.

HYDE PARK CHARGES. There woro but four charges
from Hpie Park brought before Mr. Tyrwhitt, and they
were as follows:

John Cane and Charles Fraser, two rough-looking fel-
lows, were charged with gambling in Hyde Park.
Sergeant Edward Langley, of the detective police, said
that about eight o'clock last night he was in Hyde Park,
and saw about a doze❑ persons playing at a game some-
what similar to roulette—a cover, painted similar to a
roulette table and surrounded with horSes, being placed on
some boards, and there being in the' centre a hand like
that of a clock working on a pivot. Ho got the assistance
of other officers, and as soon as the persons saw them
coming they ran off, but he managed to secure Cane with
the cover and board under his arm.
In answer to Mr. Tyrwhict, Sergeant Langley said
that he had saes Cane putting money down, saying at the
same time 2 to 1 ou a certain horse painted on oil cloth.
Polic-constable Sawyer, 175, M., having given evidence
against Fraser,
Cane said that he had nothing to do with the table ; ho
was given one shilling by a man for taking it home.
Mr. Tyrwhitt said the evidence did not go against the
prisoner Fraser, and he would be discharged. Whilst
that Court existed the park would not be a nuisance to
deceive people ; and as he considered the prisoner Cane
fell within the meaning of the Vagrant Act, ho would be
committed for six weeks .with hard labour, and the gam-
bling implements would be destroyed.
John Dunn was charged with stealing a silver watch, of
the value of £2, from the person of a gentleman unknown.
William Haywood, a young man in the employ of
Mr. Gilby, wine merchant, Oxford-street, proved
seeing the prisoner reach over and take a
gentleman's watch. The gentleman called out
that his watch was gone, and the prisoner im-
mediately started off. Witness pursued him, and saw
him throw down the v.atch, and on being overtaken the
prisoner was given into custody.
Mr. Tyrwhitt said the witness had acted very well in
the matter.
Prisoner was remanded.

Walter John Meacham was charged with stealing 3s.
from the person of G. Bath, in Hyde-park, and John
Wilkins was charged with attempting to pick pockets, but
as there were no prosecutor's in attendance they were dis-
charged.