The Sun.
London, England, 1835-10-30 00:00:00

CENTRAL CRIMINAL COURT.
4- (THIS DAY.)

OLD COURT.

William Owen, was indicted for stealing on the 17th of
October, a mare, the property of William Penny►nore,
cow•keeper, of Hackney.
The prosecutor stated that on the 16th of October he
sent his man to turn his mare into the Hackney Marshes.
On going to look after her on the morning of the 17th,
she was not to be seen. Witness examined the fectmarks
round tae Marshes, and followed her to Lee Bridge. He
published the loss in the Hue and .Cry, and in consequence
received a letter from Bedfordshire. He went down to
the Swan Inn, Packham, Bedfordshire, on the 24th, and
there found his mare in the stable. It was given up to
him on the following day. He had had her in his possession
for three years. Her value was 25/.
Richard Freeman, prosecutor's servant, deposed that he
turned out the mate on the afternoon of the 16th, and fas-
tened the gate. Next morning the fastening was undone,
and the mare gone. She was of a dark brown colour.
John Fyler, landlord of the Swan Inn, Packham, said
the mare owned by the prosecutor was brought to his
yard by the prisoner. He said he brought her from
Philimore's stables, in Long-lane. He said Mr. Phili-
more was his master, and he was taking her to a man
named Lee, about four miles beyond Packham. The
mare was put into the stable about half-past six o'clock—
the prisoner went to bed. In the morning he got up and
was going away with the mare, when witness said he must
detain him for a short time, till he had consulted a gentle-
man he had seen the night before. Mr. Baize arrived, and
asked him some questions, but he could not say what they
were. The prisoner was detained all that day, and taken
before a Magistrate next day, who committed him till the
following Saturday. On that day the prosecutor arrived,
and identified the mare as his property.
Mr. John Baize, a solicitor of Packham, was sent for by
the last witness. He went to his house and saw the pri-
soner, to whom he put several questions. He told witness
that he bought the mare of a Mr. Jones of Epping, and
rode her to London, and Mr. Philimore, his master, sent
him down to " old Sale "of Abberly with her. He wanted
to go to " Sale's." Witness said he would leave him there,
and go himself. Prisoner said his name was " Owen," but
he was called Bill Lowens. If " Sale " was told, he would
come and clear him. " Sale" came over at 3 o'clock on
Sunday afternoon, and the prisoner and him being
together, Sale said he could have nothing to do with the
matter—where could the prisoner get 251. to pay for the
mare?

The prisoner in his defence said he bought the mare for
201., at a public house. He had no witnesses, as he did
not know any one who was present.
His LORDSHIP shortly summed up, and the Jury found
him Guilty.
John Wale was indicted for attempting to shoot Thos.
Hughes with a pistol, on the 12th inst. He was further
charged with intending to do the said Thomas Hughes
some grievous bodily harm.
Thomas Hughes was clerk to Robins and Co., of Pad-
dington. The prisoner had been in Messrs. Robins' em-
ployment near 15 years, and had been discharged for
drunkenness and bad conduct a few weeks ago. On the
12th inst. witness was in the stable of the next wharf, when
Wale came in and said, " Hughes you have done me an in-
jury." Witness said he had done himself the injury. The
prisoner immediately took a pistol from under his coat,
presented it at his head, and pulled the trigger. It flashed in
the pan, and Mr. Meredith, who was present, wrested it from
him. He then said he intended to shoot witness ;he would ra•
ther be hung than starve. The police were sent for, ano,:he
was given in charge. It was in consequence of witnews re-
presentations that he was discharged. He had een very
drunken for the last four years.
Cross-examined by Mr. CLARKSON—He had been in
Messrs. Robins employ five and a half yeKrs. Four years
ago lie had occasion to complain of him. He of course
had the same opportunity of hurting him for ten days pre-
vious to the day in question. He was sober on those days,
and was on the wharf every day. He was not. sober on the
12th, though he was not actually drunk. He had been cap-
tain of a barge.

Mr. Thomas Meredith, with was with Mr. Hughes in
the stable, gave a similar tccount of the transaction.
Police Constable Francis Partridge was called into the
stable-yard, anfl took the prisoner into custody on the charge
of attempting to shoot Mr. Hughes. He drew the charge
of the pistol, and found it to consist of powder and shot.
Cross-examined.—The shot was called spin-shot. He
thought it would have perforated a man's coat and waist-
coat. As it was loaded it would have perforated the dis-
tance of eight or nine yards. The pistol was made for ball.
The prisoner was in a very excited state, and it was easily
seen he was much the worse for liquor, so much so as not
to be fit to go before the Magistrate till the evening. He
had learned that he was a married man and had nine
children.

The prisoner said he was so drunk that he did not know
what he was doing.
Mr. Justice VAUGIIAN summed up, and the Jury re-
turned a verdict of Guilty of an intent to do some grievous
bodily harm, at the same time recommending the prisoner
to mercy on account of his long services.
Tho prosecutor joined in the recommendation to mercy.