The Sun.
London, England, 1859-11-03 00:00:00

POLICE 1N7'.E1,L,,4 GEN CE, Nov. 2.

GUILDHALL. THE UNFOUNDED CHARGE
AGAINST POOR WILLIE WEBIL—Mr. Loader, of
Skinner-street, attended before Sir Peter Laurie
and Alderman Copeland, according to his promise,
to produce the little boy William Webb, who,
it will be remembered, a person who gave the
name of Richard Child, and described himself as
a wine and spirit agent, of 52 and 53, Crutched-
friars, accused, on Saturday last, of attempting to
pick his pocket of a large pocket-book which he
carried in the inside pocket of an undercoat,
the boy having in his hand, at the time he was
charged with the offence, a box about six inches
square, containing gold leaf belonging to his master.
On that occasion the man Child, from his respect-
able attire and his address, consisting of two houses,
was looked upon as a person to be relied upon, and
Sir Peter Laurie accordingly gave him the benefit
of his appearance, and credited his story so far as to
remand the lad, for whom a considerable amount of
sympathy was evinced, notwithstanding the indig-
nant denial of the prosecutor Child that he had been
drinking.
_ _

The little boy was now brought forward, and
Sir Peter Laurie said—Where is the prosecutor ?
Mr. Martin--Ts Richard Child here ?
There was no response to this inquiry, and Mr.
Martin then handed in the following letter, which
had been sent to him in consequence of the report of
this case :-

Van Oppen and Picard, Wine and Spirit Merchants,
52 and 53, Crutched-friars, E.E.,
" London, Nov. 1, 1859.
" Dear Sir,—Referring to the caso heard before Sir P.
Laurie, on Saturday last, where a boy was charged with
attempting to pick the pocket of a Mr. Rich. Child, who
described himself as of Nos. 52 and 53, Crutched-friars,
which we beg to state he had no right to do, having been
merely in our employ on commission, and has neither office
nor place of residence at the above address.—We remain,
dear sir, yours respectfully,
" VAN OPPEN and Pres.uu.

" Mr. Geo. Martin, Police-court, Guildhall."
Mr. Martin—l have also received a letter from a
person who signs himself " A Neighbour" of the
prosecutor, stating he (Childs) occupies a ready-
furnished back room in Edward-street, Blackfriars-
road, and that this is not the first accusation of the
kind he has made.
The letter also contained other information rela-
tive to Child's general habits ; but as the letter is
anonymous, we do not feel at liberty to indorse the
assertions.

Mr. Roe (the summoning officer)—Riehd. Child
does not answer.

Sir Peter Laurie—l do not expect he will come;
but it does net matter.

Alderman Copeland—l beg your • pardon, Sir
Peter. His absence does signify most materially.
This man came before you and swore that his ad-
dress was 52 and 53, Crutched-friars, whereas it
seems that was a false address. It also appears that
he is a notorious drunkard, and if you want to know
more of him my clerk is outside, who will give you
his history for years past.
Mr. Loader—l have made inquiries about this

Richard. Child, and find that he is a man without
" a local habitation and a name," and Messrs. Van
Oppen and Picard entirely repudiate him.
,ir Peter Laurie—Are you willing to take this
boy back into your employ
Mr. Loader—Mort certainly, sir.
Sir Peter Laurie—Then I will discharge him at
once; but remember, boy, it is your good character
that has saved you.
Alderman Copehud—l am not disposed to lot
the matter drop here, for this man, Richard Child,
came here with a very cruel charge. He gave a
false address, and by his manner and appearanoe
imposed upon Sir Peter Laurie, a magistrate of 30
years' experience, and brought down upon him the,
obloquy of such a proceeding, because he (Sir Peter)
believed him on his oath. I should, therefore, sag:
gest that the proper means be adopted to punish
this man for such conduct. I do not know What
course Sir Peter Laurie intends to pursue with re-
hamgatn rd to such a drunken fellow who imposes upe,
as this Richard Child has done; but I certainly
am not inclined to let him escape with impunity..
Mr. Loader then thanked the Alderman for Oa:
attention given to the case, and withdrew with the
boy Webb and his friends.

CLERKENWELL. SERIOUS CriAnGE t:4‘
BIGAMY.—A very lady-like and respectably-dressed
female, who gave the name of Jemima Eliza Rod-
gers, aged 49, residing at 23, Smith-street, Chelsea,
was charged before Mr. Hammill with interl33aq
ing with John George William , her husbo.U.,,
the Rev. John Foster Rodgers, being then and All'
alive.
Mr. Sleigh. attended for the prosecution, an
stated that the prisoner at the bar was married to
t
her husband, the Rev. John Foster Rodgers' /11,.,
Adams Town, in Ireland, in the year 1828.
consequence of proceedings being taken by the
re
gentleman against the prisoner in the pivorn•
Court, it was ascertained that she had been marril
to a young man of the name of Paul, at the Paristo
church of St. Pancras, in 1858. He should have
ask for a remand to enable him to produce evidence
from Ireland of the first marriage. ck,
ua
The prisoner said she wished the case put so
as she had sent for her solicitor, but no notice vt
take
Pn, and the ease proceeded.
olice-constable Tyler, 42 G, said that he
took the prisoner into custody the Rev. Mr. Iteuiri.
son and his wife seized him, and enabled the P
soner to make her escape oval. a wall. the°
The prisoner was remanded for a week, and -
she asked that bail might be taken. ld
Mr. Hammill said that the question of bail eel ed
be discussed when her solicitor met the leaf)
counsel on the next occasion.