The Sun.
London, England, 1858-09-24 00:00:00

BOW-STREET

- - _
STREET ROBBERY.—A man aged 28, named John
Griffith, a flower-hawker, was charged with picking the
pocket of Eliza Foley.
The complainant stated that last evening shewas passing
through Gower-street, when the prisoner, who was accom-
panied by another man, accosted her, and aged her to di-
rect him to Russell-square. She told him the proper way,
and pointed towards the square. Immediately after she
had done so, casting her eyes downward she saw the man
in the act of drawing his hand from her pocket, with her
purse in it. She took hold of him and called aloud for the
police, but before a constable arrived he threw down the
purse and with great violence broke from her hold and ran
away. Having picked up the purse, she followed the pri-
soner, but he succeeded in getting away, is she thought,
but in a few minutes afterwards he was brought back in the
custody of a police-constable. She then charged him with
the attempt at robbery, and he was taken to the station-
house.

Police-constable E 119 said he took prisoner into custody
near Torrington-place. He saw him running, and as two
persons were advancing towards Gower-street, the prisoner
dodged round them and then walked in the same direction,
in the hope of making it appear he was not the party whom
he saw running.
The Magistrate said it was a very common practice for
robberies to be committed in the manner described by the
complainant.
Mrs. Foley said she had her suspicions aroused from the
first from the way in which the men looked at her.
Mr. Henry said it was an impudent robbery, and he
should commit the prisoner to prison for six months.
WATCH ROBBERY.—Thomas Seeley, 21, was placed at
the bar, charged with stealing a watch, the property of Wm.
Garrard.
The complainant said, last evening at about nine o'clock,
he was passing up Holborn-hill, and there being a mob col-
lected on the pavement, he was compelled to stop for a
short time and then felt his coat pulled, and shortly after-
wards he saw his watch-guard hanging loosely from his
waistcoat; the prisoner was standing next to him but
walked off. A companion who was with the complainant
advised him to follow the man and accuse him of the rob-
bery, on doing which he stoutly denied the charge, and
made a violent endeavour to get away before the police
arrived. He was however detained until the constable
came up, when he was given into custody. The watch had
not been found.
Police constable 318 said he conveyed the prisoner to the
station-house, where he gave his address. On proceeding
to Parson's-court, Goswell-street, he found that he lived
there, and the person of whom he inquired said, " 0
yes, he was here, and we know all about it."
Mr. Henry—Did you ask her what she meant by tha
observation ?
Witness—l did not.

Mr. Henry (to prisoner)—What have you to say to the
charge ?
Prisoner—l plead guilty. I should not have done it bill
my parents have gone into the country.
Mr. Henry—Your parents I How old are you?
Prisoner—Twenty-one.

Mr. Henry—l think you ought to act independently of
your parents at your age. I think you must be an expert
thief. As you have pleaded guilty to the charge, I shall
send you to prison for six months with hard labour.