The Sun.
London, England, 1850-09-04 00:00:00

LAMBETH.

A fashionable-looking and fashionably-attired
young man, named John Thornton, was placed at the
bar for final examination. rine prisoner had been re-
manded
from a former day, in order that more con-
clu\sive evidence of his guilt might be obtained
through the active instrumentality of Sergeant Quin-
near, 1 P, to whom the magistrate had assigned the
special duty of collecting the same.
The prisoner, who is no business, trade, or profes-
sion, has continued for a length of time to live " right
royally" by the indefatigable exercise of his talent for
" victimizing." A multitudinous array of witnesses
against him presented themselves in court.
The first witness, Francis Ward, deposed as fol-
lows :—I am a chemist, and live at No. 14, Gros-
venor-street West, Eaton-square. Oa the 10th of
August last, about two o'clock in the day, the prisoner
came into my shop and asked for some patent-capped
smelling-bottles. I showed him three. He asked me
if I could send them to Mr. Kay's, No. 9, Lower
Belgrave-street, as the lady who wanted one would
wish to choose for herself. I said I would send them
in half an hour. He said that would do, and left the
shop. I went to No. 9, Belgrave-street, and. seeing
Mr. Kay's name on the door, felt satisfied all was
right. I sent the smelling-bottles shortly after by
my boy, George Cater. I told him to bring back the
bottles or the money. He came back in a few minutes
and asked for a box of seidlitz powders. I gave them
to him, and he shortly returned without the bottles or
money.
George Cater said —I am in Mr. Ward's service,
and on the day above-mentioned I took a parcel to
9, Belgrave-street. As I approached the house pri-
soner walked down the stepq, and coming up to me
in a great hurry, said, " Give me those bottles, my
lad, and go back to Mr. Ward's and fetch me n box
of seidlitz powders ;" which I did, but when I got
back to Belgrave-street both prisoner and bottles were
gone.
Richard Kay said—l am a mercer, and live at 9,
Lower Belgrave-street. I recollect that on the day
in question prisoner came to my door, knocked, and
asked for a Mr. Thomas. I told him no such person
lived there, when he went away. He had not been
gone more than three minutes when Mr. Ward's boy
came with some seidlitz powders, and spoke about the
smelling bottles. I never saw the prisoner before nor
again until here to-day, but have no doubt as to his
identity.
His next " victim" was Mr. William Treacher
Bolton, chemist, residing in Wells-row, Islington.
The circumstances connected with " diddling" this
gentleman were precisely the same as in the last case,
with the exception of his taking nine smelling bottles
from Mr. Bolton.
The next " sufferer" was Mr. Robert Francis Ash,
a printer and stationer, living at No. 5, Wellington-
street, London-bridge.
Oa the 21st ult. he visited this person's shop, and
having picked out four valuable Church Services,
handsomely bound, directed them to be sent to No.
15, St. Thomas's-street, Southwark. Mr. Ash sent
them by his servant, but the prisoner, as in the other
cases, contrived to intercept the messenger, and
having sent him back for another edition, in the
meantime absconded. The prisoner having gone to
pledge one of the Church Services at Mr. Russell's, a
pawnbroker, 14, Frederick's-place, Old Kent-road,
young Mr. Russell, in consequence of something
which had occurred previously with regard to the
prisoner, gave him into the custody of Constable
Reynolds, P 359.
Mr. ELLIOTT said he had heard quite sufficient to
make Hal commit the prisoner to stand his trial for
the several felonies.
The prisoner declined making any defence.
THAMES.

William Sandham, a stylishly-dressed man, 0
gentlemanly appearance and good address, described
as a tailor, residing at No. 3, Now North-street,
Finsbury, was charged with sealing one penny, from
the person of James Tighe, a respectable-looking lad
about fifteen years of age, residing with his parents a
39, Arbour•fq"are, in the vicinity of this court.
It appeared that on the previous evening the prose
tutor, accompanied by a young friend, named Henry
Gregory, of No. 4, Lucas-place, Commercial-road,
went to Shadwell-bridge, to see a rowing match.
Whilst there the prisoner put his arm round Tighe's
neck, and made several observations on the boats as
they passed. He then began feeling in Gregory's
coat pocket, but took nothing from it. He next be-
gan to feel Tighe's pocket, at the same time directing
his attention to a balloon which was passing over-
head, saying that it would be soon out of sight. He
subsequently gave him a push against the rail, took
his hand out of his pocket, and walked off. The lad

Gregory saw him looking at something in his hand
after he had taken it out of Tighe's pocket, and after
mentioning the matter, the latter felt and found his
penny was gone. They pursued the prisoner to the
Commercial-read, where they spoke to Blake, 400
K, on seeing which the prisoner took rapidly to his
heels, but Blake more quickly pursued, and took
him into custody. He had on him a shilling in
silver, fourpence in halfpence, and one pennypiece.
He denied having taken Tighe's money.
Mr. ING Il AM—This is a very extraordinary case.
The evidence of these young witnesses is clear and
conclusive, and I must have the depositions taken.
Prisoner—l can take my solemn oath, sir, that I
never had my hand in the boy's pocket. When he
saw the money found on me he said none of it was
his. I can account for all the money I had about me.

Mr. INGIIAM—You must make your defence before
a jury.

Prisoner (in a state of great excitement)—Oh !
my mother, my poor mother. It will be the death
of her when she hears it.

Mr. INGHAM—I cannot help that I must go by
the evidence, which is perfectly conclusive.
The depositions wcre then taken, and the pri-
soner, who seemed to be in a dreadful state of mind,
was committed for trial.