The Sun.
London, England, 1868-03-07 00:00:00

THAMES.

DARING ROBBERY ON BOARD SHIP.--Michael
Welch, an Irish labourer in the service of a master
stevedore, was brought up ou remand before Mr.
Paget, charged with breaking open a box on board
the ship Mars, in the 'West India Dock, and steal-
ing a silk dress, valued at £5, and four pairs of
silk socks, the property of Osmond de Beauvoir
Prideaux, Esq., of No. 8, Cavendish-square.
Mr. Stoddart conducted the prosecution for the
West India Dock Company, and Mr. Pelham de-
fended the prisoner, and at an early stage of the
proceedings said that his client wished to plead
guilty, and call witnesses to character before sen-
tence was passed.

Mr. Stoddart, on the part of the dock company,
started no objection to the case being disposed of
summarily.

Mr. Paget said that owing to sonic oversight on
the part of the Legislature stipendiary magistrates
and Justices in Petty Sessions were not able to dis-
pose of cases of robberies in docks, and the case
must go before another tribunal.
. _

A few days since Louisa Hunter, lady's-maid in
the service of Mr. Prideaux, packed a large box for
her mistress. It contained wearing apparel and
other property. It was shipped on board the ship
Mars in the West India Dock. The vessel was
bound to Madras, and the box and its contents
were intended for Mr. Prideaux's step-son.
A few days since the prisoner was stopped as he
was leaving the principal gateway of the West
India export dock by Cook, a dock constable, and
on being searched a lady's silk dress was found
under his clothes, behind his back, and four pairs
of socks in his cap. Ile had been at work as a ste-
vedore's labourer on board the Mars. The box
shipped by Mr. Prideaux was in the hold. It
had been broken open, and the dress and
socks taken out. A petticoat was also
missing, which has not been recovered. A man
named Brooks, also a stevedore's labourer, was
charged before Mr. Benson on Wednesday with
participating in the robbery and discharged.

Louisa Hunter identified the silk dress and socks,
and said the petticoat was not recovered.

Mr. Stoddart said that extensive and numerous
robberies had been committed by stevedores while
stowing waggons, and the dock company must
prosecute in every case.

Mr. Paget committed the prisoner for trial.

WESTMINSTER.

A FRENCH SuorLIFTER.--Marguerite Renoult,
a stylishly dressed Frenchwoman, about 32 ,"years
of age, was charged with stealing a dress, value
18s. 9d., the goods of James Hilder, a draper, of
124, King's-road, Chelsea.
Charles Heard, assistant to Mr. Hader, said
yesterday afternoon about three o'clock, the pri-
soner came and asked to look at some dresses.
I showed her several, and she selected one,
a black and white for herself, it came to
18s. 9d. Then she asked to look at some for
the servants, and selected one at 18s 11d., and then
she asked to look at some gloves, and while I was
getting them she took a dress from the counter and
concealed it under her mantle. I then showed her
some other articles, which she selected, amounting
to £2 Bs. Bd., and asked me if I could send the
parcel to Miss Knight's, No. 8, Cadogan-terrace.
She gave the name of Renoult, and wrote it down
herself. I asked her if she would pay for the things,
and she said she had not any money to pay for
them, and would be at Cadogan-terrace at six
o'clock. She got up, and I then asked
her for the dress she had under her
mantle. She pretended not to understand
what I said, and I said again, " Will you leave
that dress you have under your mantle before you
go." She drew her mantle on one side, and I took
the..dress from under her right arm, and detained
her in the shop till a constable came. The dress
produced is valued at 18s. 9d. I have been and
made inquiries at 8, Cadogan-terrace, and found
that Miss Wright had lived there, but had left three
weeks ago.

The prisoner said, in French—Unfortunately, all
he has said is true. He watched me so closely that
I had not time to put it back had I wanted.
W. Gunter, 316 B, said he took the prisoner.
She had only 2s. 2d. on her.
The prisoner, having been duly cautioned and
the charge read over to her, pleaded guilty, and
elected to leave the case in the hands of the magis-
trate.

Mr. Arnold said the whole thing was a decep-
tion ; the prisoner had no money to pay for the
thing, and deserved a severe sentence. He sen-
tenced her to three months' hard labour in the
House of Correction.