Star.
London, England, 1826-06-24 00:00:00

NRW COURT.

Belientin Anthony Btdkr, a middle-aged man, of
very respectable appearance, was indicted for stealing
on the 10th of April, 1824, at Westminster, forty so-
vereigns, the property-of His Majesty.
The circumstances, as proved in evidence, were as
follows :—For some time previous to the year 1824, the
prisoner had been employed as a turnkey at the Peni-
tentiary at Milbank. Its that year, owing to a disease
which broke out in that Penitentiary, the prisoners there
were removed, and placed on board several convict
ships at Woolwich, and the prisoner was then appointed
to the situation of guard to one of these ships called the
Dromedary, and in such situation was in the habit of
taking messages hum the Penitentiary to the convic-
ships. On the day mentioned in the indictment. Mr.
Pickford, the steward of the Penitentiary, gave the pi-
soner forty sovereigns out of the funds of the Peniti n-
tiary to take to Mr. Dap:ex, the steward of the Narcissus
convict ship, at Woolwich, to provide necessaries for
that ship. The prisoner having received the money went
down in a boat to Woolwich along with one Phillips,
who held a similar situation with himself in the Peni-
tentiary, and having gone on bo IT d the Dromedary, and
washed himself, and changed his clothes, asked permis-
sion to go on shore for an hour, for the purpose, as he
stated, of selling a dog, which he had on board a ship
with him, to a Gentleman who was coming down from
town to see it. The prisoner went on shore, taking the
dog with him, but never returned, nnr did he ever de-
liver the money to Mr. Duplex. A short time ago, it
having been discovered that he was in a situation at the
Horse-hazier, George-street, Portman-square, he was
immediately apprehended.
The prisoner, when called upon for his defence, said,
that when he went on shore he got tipsy, and got into
improper company an.l was robbed of the money, and
then went up to town to try o make up the money, but
finding that he could not do so, he was ashamed to re-
turn to his employ meat at Woolwich.
The Marquis of Anglesea, Sir Hussey Vivian, and Sir
Edward lief Hints (who were upon the bench during the
trial), all of them gave the prisoner a most excellent
character, and the Marquis, who had employed the pri-
soner in a confidential situation in the army, stated,
that *.e had, before the prisoner was apprehended on
this charge, rec. ived a letter from him giving precisely
the same 3cent:tit ut this unfortunate business as he
gave now.
Mr. Young, of the Horse-bazar, also gave the prisoner an excel-
lent character, and expressed his readiness to take him again into
his employment if be should be acquitted.
Mr. Serjeant Minnie: then summed up the evidence,
and told the jury that if they believed the statement)
made by the prisoner, they must acquit him, and no
doubt the very excellent character which had been
given him by such illustrious personages as had come
forwart on his behalf that day, would have its due
weight with them.
The Jury immediately reterned a verdict of Mt Coldly.
Martha Blake was indicted for stealing on the 13th
of May last, in the palish of Whitechapel, a watch, a
coat, a waistcoat, and a pair of breeches, the property of
William Smith, from his pets .n.
William Smith being Examined, stated that he was a
carpenter, and that between nine and ten o'clock at
night on the 13th of May last, as he was passing through
11'41s-street, East Smithfield, he was met by the prisoner,
who accosted him, and persuaded him to accompany
her to a house in Blue Anch. r-yard, where he took off
his clothes and got into bed ; and that almost imme-
diately after he had done so, another woman (with
whom he had jut before seen the prisoner conversing,
blew out the candle, seized his clothes, and ran away
with them ; that the prisoner, who was then in bed with
him, immediately jumped up, seized his watch, and was
making off with it, but that he caught her, and got the
I watch from her.

In answer to questions from the Judge (Mr. Serjeant MUM),
be said ye was not intoxicated at the thug; he bad given the prisoner
no liquor or mosey, nor bad he bargained to give her any.
Mr. &risme Alums then put the case to the jury, wile toned the
prisoner—Goity.
Upon the proesentsa asking for his expenses, Mr. Saltine
I As said be was meosiabett that be 'Assad Mee the heastanee

!to ask for them under the circumstances of tills case : he certain!
should not grant them.
this Connor, a lad of respectable appearance, aged sixteen, was
hulloed for stealing two watches, and other articles, value W. the
property of Patrick Walker.
erisoner made no defence, and was found Guilty.
The prosecutor recommended the prisoner to mercy, in consi-
'deratlon of the lash respectability of his friends, and as this was
by first offence.
Joan Smith was indicted for stealing two shirts and other articles
from the house of Sir A. Macdonald, the late Lord Chief Baron.
Mr. Norris stated that he went on the morning of the 47th of
May to the house of Sir A. Macdonald for some papers which were
required by one of the executers. Whilst searching for them be
perceived a man peeping through the entrance hall. On coming
down stairs he saw the prisoner in the hall with a bag in his hand ;
he asked him what he wanted; he replied that he had brought a
letter for Mr. Smith the butler, said that he came from Mr. Far-
lquharees, the banker. Witness called some of the servants, who
knew nothing of the prisoner. An officer was sent for, and on
searching the bag found with the prisoner, it was discovered that
the property in it belonged to Master Randolph.
Edward John Randolph, grandson of the late Lord Chief Baron,
proved that the property produced belonged to him, and had been
left in the hall by one of the servants.
The prisoner said nothing in his defence, and was found Guilty.
Mr. Serjeant Musts said that the prisoner was a well-known
character, and that be should take care to have him sent out of the
country fur seven years.
A great many Prisoners were convicted of various potty thefts,
but no other case was tried of the slightest public interest.