Star.
London, England, 1830-10-23 00:00:00

SURREY SESSIUNS-IINGSTON. °ciao. 21.

John Carter, aged 22, a most tespectable.looking man, was indicted
for stealing five live geese, the property of James Hannan.
The prosecutor stated that he was a labouring man at Charlwood,
and he had five geese, which usually lived on Charlwood Common.
During the night of the 7th of September, or the morning of the Bth,
they were stolen front off the Common, and he did not soo them again
until the 2th, when he saw them under the care of a constable, at
Mitcham.

From the evidence of two constables, it appeared that they saw the
prisoner driving a cart through Mitcham towards town, at six o'clock
on the morning of the Bth of September. They stopped the cart, and
found in it no less tnan fifty geese. eight of which were dead. The pri-
soner stated lie had purchased them, but he was detained, and uld-
mately committed for trial, a; owners were found for all the geese, which
were stolen during the preceding night or early that morning.
The prisoner, in his defence, declared that.he bought the geese.
Several witnesses were called, who gave the prisoner a good character,
and from their statements it appeared that he was a shopkeeper at
111 ertom

The CHAIRMAN having summed up the evidence, the Jury instantly
acquitted the prisoner.
He was again placed at the bar, charged with stealing seventeen
geese, the property of another person, but again acquitted.
He was 'a third time put to the bar, charged with stealing sight
geese, the property of John Worsfold.
In this use the prosecutor was a labouring man, at Charlwood, and
his geese, which were found in the prisoner's cart, were stolen from
Chad wood during the night of the 7th of September, or on the morning
of the Ath, snd that there were traces of cart wheels and horses' feet near
his house which corresponded with the size of the prisoner's cart wheels
and horses' feet ; one of the constables, named West, also stated In ad-
dition, that after the prisoner was committed, and while he was being
conveyed to Horsemonger lane gaol, he said, if the Magistrates would
admit him as a witness, he would tell who "the other two men" were.
Mr. Bacon, who attended for the prisoner, cross-examined West at
sonic length.
Mr. Bacon.--.:Now, Mr. West, you have been a constable three
years, and know the nature of oaths pretty well from being so frequently
a witness at these sessions : you know you are sworn to speak the truth,
and-the whole truth ?—West—Yes, and nothing but the truth.
Mr. Bacon—Ah I but the whole truth will do at present : have you
spoken that on the two other trials ?—West—Yes, I have, Sir.
Mr. Bacon—Then how came you to say nothing until now of this
coofession•made by the prisoner ?—West• —Because it did not belong to
those caries._ _

Mr. Bacon—Did you ever tell the Magistrates of this conversa-
tion ?—tWest—No, Sir. ' •
Mr. Bacon—Did you ever speak to any one of it until now 7—West--
No, I did not. •
Mr. Bacon—Now I have done with you, and whenever I see your
name on the back of an indictment which I may .have to defend, I
shall have you out of Court while the other witnesses are under esa.

urination. •
The &Orman (to West)—.What character do you bear about
hi helms
Mr. Bacon—Oh dear, Sir, you may be sure he will not give himself
a bad. chatactee.
A Magistrate (we believe Sir R. Frederick) said, he knew
that West was much respected in his situation, and bore a good cha.
mete?.
Mr. Bacon, with some warmth, thought it exceeding'' improper in
any magierrate thus to volunteer his eit; in bolding up the character of
a man who bod already mad. three attempts to obtain a conviction
apinit this prisoner, and who nor. foe the. gat time, gave evidence to

a conversation in the nature of an admission. He strongly deprecated
any interference of magistrates in this way. unless they were sworn as
witnesses.

Vr —FR
EDE RICK. lam quite ready to be sworn to the truth of
my observation.
The Chairman then summed up the evidence, :And the Jury, aft&
tome consultation, returned a verdict of Guilty.
The Chairman commented on the great cruelty practised by the pri-
soner in robbing poor people in this manner, of perhaps the only means
they had of raising a pittance to discharge their rent. The sentence of
the Court was, that he be transported for seven years.