The Sun.
London, England, 1859-02-16 00:00:00

POLICE INTELLIGENCE, Feb. 15.

B OW-STRE ET.—Two dissipated-lookieg women
were charged with stealing wearing apparel under
the following circumstances :
The elder prisoner, Mary Ann Stratford, was in
the habit of dressing herself in such a way as to
induce the belief that she was far advanced in preg-
nancy. In this disguise she presented herself at
the residence of several medical men, and, assuming
a languid air, solicited charity, or a recommenda-
tion to some hospital, and during the absence of
the servant from the hall, contrived to possess her-
self of any portable articles that might be hanging
there, and then disappeared. In this way she stole
a coat from the house of Dr. Morgan, in Charlotte-
street, Fitzroy-square. The second prisoner, Mary
Maxwell, was usually employed to pledge the
articles thus stolen, and at once pleaded guilty on
being placed at the bar, stating that she was
" given to drink," and " did not know what she
was about half the time." Two separate cases
having been proved,
The prisoner Stratford, while admitting her
guilt in one ease, strongly protested that she was
innocent of the charge preferred against her by Dr.
Morgan. She called Heaven to witness that the
doctor was mistaken as to her identity, adding
that "she did not want more put upon her than
she was guilty of." She declared that she never
entered the doctor's house in her life.

Dr. Morgan—l am certain this was the woman
(pointing to Stratford, an extremely slender female)
who said she was nine months gone. (A laugh.)
The prisoner protested, however, that she was
innocent, and implored the magistrate to send for
the real woman, who lodged in the same house, and
who was very near her confinement. (This was
done, but no such person could be found, or had
ever lived there).
His worship committed both the prisoners to six
months' hard labour.

WORSHIP-STREET.—Edward Driscoll, 25,
well known as an associate of skittle sharpers, was
charged before Mr. D'Eyncourt with stealing four
sovereigns the moneys of Richard Neale, a young
man residing at Ileckford, near Reepham, in the
county of Norfolk.
The prosecutor said—l came from home on Sa-
turday last with this carpet bag, and a trifle more
than four pounds in gold. Well, this morning,
about 10 o'clock, while passing along Sun-street,
Bishopsgate-street, I met a respectable-looking old
gentleman, wearing a long black coat. He got into
conversation with me, and said as how he was a
cattle dealer, but to my mind he was like a parson-
ranter. He asked me to have a sup of beer, and we
went into a public home handy; then a young man
came in, a stranger to both of us, but somehow the
old gentleman and he got chatting, and it was pro-
posed between them that one should try to throw
a 141 b. weight 35 yards for a wager of mutton
chops, wine, and cigars. They asked me to go and
see all fair, and we went to the Three Loggerheads,
near to Shoreditch church. On entering the
skittle ground, I for the first time saw the prisoner,
and aft 3r a short game, in which he played very
badly with another person, he offered to wager a
£5 note against four sovereigns that he would
knock the skittles down in a certain number of
throws, but I now forget how many. Well, the
money was posted on one of the seats, but without
even attempting to threw, ho suddenly snatched
all of it up and ran out, I only turned-to secure
my carpet bag, and then following, caught him
-about 50 yards from the house, and took him back,
but when a police officer came, only Is. Id. was
found upon him.
Mr. D'Eyncourt—What is your business in Lon-
don ?
Prosecutor—l came to look for a situation, if I
could find one, in the police. I can soon send for
my character, if you want it.
Mr. D'Eyncourt---Now, listen to me. I have
determined upon sending this man before a jury,
and I am also determined that you shall prosecute
him. Not only the money you have been robbed
of, but perhaps more than six times the amount,
may be offered for you not to appear against him,
but you must do so. We are well acquainted with
these tricks of sharpers, and several of the rogues
have escaped in consequence of their victims being
tampered with during a remand. lam resolved to
put a stop to this, by holding the complaining par-
ties bound over in heavy recognisances to attend
the trial. Every endeavour will be made to apprc.
heed the accomplices of the prisoner. The police-
constable must not allow you to go away, and you
will now enter into a solemn obligation to attend
here when required, and also at the sessions.
The prosecutor was then bound over in his own
recognisances of £lOO.

CLERKENWELL.—John Morris Read, alias
John Campbell, Samuel Thompson, Ann Thompson,
alias Barnett, and Thomas Smith (the latter of
whom has been convicted of stealing a copper),
who have lately been carrying on business as the
Mercantile Loan Fund Association, 2, Weymouth-
terrace, New North-road, London, were brought up
on remand, ()barged with conspiracy to defraud.
The particulars of the former examinations have
already appeared in this journal. So extensive has
been the business carried on by the prisoners, that
although the ease has been remanded for a fort-
night, both Mr. Corrie and Inspeet(4, W hither
(who has charge of the case) cautinue daily to

receive letters from the prisoners' victims from al
parts of the United Kingdom.
Mr. Simpson was called, and proved that he
knew the two men, Read and Thompson, in Jail'
1854. At that time they carried on business in the
Caledonian-road, as oilmen. They owed him sooe
money, but he could never get it. They passed
there as brothers.
Mr. Inspector Whicher said he had received
several letters, complaining not only of the con'
pany represented by the prisoners, but of numerous
others.
Mr. Corrie—And so have I.
Mr. Whicher (continued)—The names of tllc
other companies complained of are the St. Janles'
Advance Fund, 24, St. James's-street, London.
Mr. Corrie—Are the prisoners connected Wit'
that society ?
Mr. Inspector Whicher—No ; the others are the
Commercial Loan Association, 9, Worcester-street,
S., London; the General Luau and Discount Colo"
pang, Gordon-street, W.,London ; and the Metro'
politan and Provincial redit Company, 2, Arthur'
street, Oxford-street, London. He thought th
best plan for the provincial papers to adopt would
e
be, when they receive the advertisments, to reier
to their London agents, for it appeared that when t
they inserted the advertisements they did not gea
their money. (A laugh.) The prisoner Smith bto
been convicted of stealing a copper. When t':
prisoners were apprehended in Tavistock -place there
could be no doubt that th intended to start a fresh
company, for he found a"number of new circulars
and two impressions in wax, of seals, engrave
" Tavistock Advance Company," and " Tavistec'ir
Advance Investment Company, 22, Tavistock-Plaeel
Russell-square, London, W.C. '
Several other charges having been proved, e
Inspector Whicher said when the prisoners Wetrie
taken into custody he asked the female What %0
had done with the money she had received front
Post-office, when she made no.reply. He then 1,,;
peated the question, and she said something to tui,,
prisoner Thompson, which he could not heitlio
Thompson then said the party who had got
money had gone out, and God knows where he hiti.e
got to by that time. The prisoner Read called t°
female prisoner his aunt several times.
Sergeant Devitt, 22 N, said he had had the po6'
soners Read and Thompson in custody in May, 186,4
on a charge of obtaining a quantity of sulphate ,",t
.barytes by false pretences, of the value of abo;
£24, from Mr. T. and F. Stevens, of Matlock, 11
Derbyshire, when they were sentenced to 12 months
hard labour. They then passed as brothers.
Mr. Lewis, jun., and Mr. Wakeling at Oil
length addressed the magistrate for their respeotil
clients, and contended that there was no ea.-

against Thompson and the woman.
Mr. Conic discharged Smith, and committed tlice
other prisoners for trial. He would, however,
mand them for a week. a
Mr. Inspector Whittier said he thought he shout
be prepared with further evidence against ThOT
son.

Mr. Corrie refused bail.

THAMES.—John Purcell, a tall sun-burnt Initsll;,
man, who has been a police-constable in Austra"to
and only returned to this country on Monday,
charged with being drunk and incapable of to e
care of himself and his money, and also with refil
ing to pay a cab fare.
George Turner, a cab-driver, said he was
by the prisoner to take him to the East 113—
Docks, and his fare came to 9s.
Mr. Yardley—Nine shillings ; how is that P._,„‘
Turner—Two shillings was my fare for tan,
him and another man to the East India D°(l
and then I charge 7s. for waiting three hours n,
a half. The prisoner and his friend drank a gna
deal of liquor, and I was obliged to drive him
his friend to the station-house.
Mr. Yardley asked the prisoner if he was No
to pay the cab-driver. a °
The prisoner—Yes, sir. lam much obliged
him for the care he has taken of me and my ra°lllo
I was appointed to the police force which left Ive
country for Australia a few years ago, and 11$
only just returned. volt
Mr. Yardley—l perceive by the police-sheet doll
had a large sum (X8O) about you, and that is.
safe. You ought to give the cabman sometllll3°
for his loss of time.
so,
The prisoner said he was most willing to de
and hoped the magistrate would at once•
him, as he wanted to leave London for:, nub
this day. _
Mr. Yardley—Very well ; pay the cabman)
go where you please.