The Sun.
London, England, 1859-12-19 00:00:00

EXTRAORDINARY CHARGE OF

FRAUD.

At a late hour on Saturday Mr. Thomas Pear-
son, of the firm of Tamplin and Pearson, feather
merchants and manufacturers, Little Queen-street,
Holborn, and Mrs. Ellen Pearson, his wife, a very
lady-looking female, were brought before Mr.
Combe, at the Southwark Police Court, by a ser-
geant of the S division, No. 46, charged with de-
frauding Mr. George Thomas Wells, upholsterer,
42, Blackman•street, Borough, out of goods of the
value of £l4 10s.

Mr. Blnns appeared for the prosecution, and Mr.
W. Edwin defended.

Benjamin Thomas, a young man, clerk to the
prosecutor, said that on Tuesday afternoon last, be-
tween 1 and 2, he saw the female defendant in his
master's shop, and when Mr. Wells west upstairs,
Mrs. Pearson asked for some Brussels carpet for
stairs. He showed her some, which she selected
instead of oilcloth, and desired to be sent to No. 5,
Clifton-road, Camden-square, with other goods
which she had purchased. She said. that her name
was Row, and she told Mr. Wells that she would
pay for the goods on delivery. She requested them
to be brought between 2 and 3 o'clock on Thursday
afternoon.
Mr. Combo—What did the lady say exactly about
paying for the goods ?
Witness—She said I'll pay for them on delivery,
' but the goods must be left at No. 5, Clifton-road,
Camden-square. The goods were packed up and
addressed to Mrs. Row, and forwarded according

to that direction.
Mr. Combe----Did you give the lady an invoice ?
Witness—No, sir ; Mr. Wells did that, but I
made an entry of the goods in the books.
Mr. Edwin—How long has Mr. Wells been in
this shop at 42, Blackman-street ?
Witnessl do not know exactly. I came there
in September.
Mr. Edwin—What did the lady say her name
was ?
Witness—Mrs. Row, and she directed the goods
to be sent to her or Mr. Row. I went to her
address last night with Mr. Wells, and saw a
plate on the door of No. 5, Clifton-road, " Mr.
-Row, Surgeon-Dentist." I saw both prisoners
there, and as we approached the gate Mr. Pearson
was coming down the steps and he asked our busi-
ness. Mr:Wells told him, when Mr. Pearson said
" You must not come here in this burglarious man-
ner."

Mr. Combe—Whattime was that ?
Witness—Nine o'clock. In continuation witness
said that Mr. Wells asked Mr. Pearson " Are you
prepared to pay for the goods ?" Ido not recollect
what answer he made, but he prevented us from
going in. Mr. Wells then asked for Mrs. Row,
when Mr. Pearson made some evasive answer. Mr.
Wells then said, " If you don't pay for the goods I'll
give you in charge." Pearson said " You may do as
you please." A sergeant of police, who accompanied
us, was then called forward, and they all entered
the house with Mr. Pearson, who fetched the female,
and then Mr. Pearson gave the invoice to the ser-
geant. The invoice was made out in the name of
Mrs. Row.
Mr. Edwin—l can explain that as the case goes
on, sir. Did you not know' that the male defend-
ant's name was Pearson ?
Witness—l did not until last night.
Mr. Combe—From what I see of this case it ap-
pears that the wife gets the goods under another
name, as Mr. Wells was indebted to her husband,
and she used this finesse to get the value of the
goods. Under the circumstances he did not know
whether it could be disposed of without going to
the sessions, so that a jury
.might decide.
Mr. Edwin—The cage is this, sir : My client's
firm sold the prosecutor goods in October last for
£l2 10s., and when applicetion is made for the
money, Mr. Wells says he is an infant, conse-
quently Mr. Pearson was compelled to use this
mode to get payment of his account.
Mr. Combe—ls Mr. Wells in court?
Mr. Bin n s —Yes, sir.
Mr. Combe—Then let him stand up.
The prosecutor, who appeared rather young, then
stepped into the witness-box, and was sworn—My
name is John Thomas Wells, and I keep the shop,
42, Blackman-street, in my own name.
Mr. Combe—How old are you ?
Mr. Wells—l shall be 21 years of age next
January. I am, therefore, under age, and have no
partner.
Mr. Combe—Did you write this invoice for goods
amounting to £l2 10s.?
Witness—Yes, sir.
Mr. Combc--Have you had any actions brought
agzinst you for goods supplied to you for your
shop ?
Witness—Yes, sir, and I have successfully pleaded
infancy.
Mr. Combe—Have you owed the male defendant
any money for goods?
Witness—lf that is Mr. Pearson, I owe Messrs.
Tamplin and Pearson £l2 10s.
Mr. Combe—Don't you believe the male defend-
ant is that Mr. Pearson ?
Witness—Yes, I do, sir.
Mr. Combe—l don't know much of the tricks of
tradesmen and their ingenious ways of doing others ;
but here is a young man, under age, carrying on
business, obtaining goods, and when payment is
demanded, pleads infancy. I should like to send
him before a jury, where such a matter would be
thoroughly exposed.
Mr. Binns—We wish to go before a jury, as my