Star.
London, England, 1826-10-26 00:00:00

HORSE STEALING.

William Malay, aged 35, was put to the bar on an indictment,
charging him with stealing, on the 25th of September, two geldings,
value £2OO, the property of Major William M'Curdy.
The prosecutor, who resides in Cecil-street, Strand, stated, that
in the month of June he purchased from the prisoner the horses in
question for £l5O, and kept them for about six months, but they
were so bad that he seldom used them, and commenced an action
against the prisoner for the amount of the purchase money. A few
days after, the prisoner called on the Major, who informed him
that he was paying £lO per month for the keep of the horses. The
prisoner offered to keep them for £5 per month, until a purchaser
was found for them, and they were handed over to him. Two days
after, Major M'Curdy went to the prisoner's stable, and found
the horses gone. He then got a warrant, to which the prisoner ap-
peared at Bow-street. This took place in the month of January, but
the witness did not go before the Grand Jury until September.—
From what was developed in the course of the Major's further
kexamination, it appeared that there was an action still pending foe
the recovery of the purchase money for the horses.
Mr. Baron Gaaaow, on hearing the evidence, said, the case as it
appeared to him was a completely new one : he did not feel it
necessary to call on the prisoner for his defence. Some further
observations were made; and Leadbetter the officer was called,
who stated that the defendant came to him immediately on receiv-
ing notice that he was " wanted."
Mr. Rogers, a commercial agent, proved being present at the con-
versation between the Major and Mr. Maltby, relative to the re-
turn of the horses.

A servant of the prisoner's preyed the sale of the .horses to Maims
M'Curdy, and the subsequent exchange of one of them.
Wm. Moreton, livery stahlekerpet , delivered the two horses by
order of Major M'Curdy.
Mr. Baron Gmtuow directed, In the end, an acquittal, which was
of course recorded.

NEW COURT.
A SON PROSECUTED IT Nil OWN FATHER.

John Norton, a youth. was indicted for stealing several tools the
property of his father, a respectable tradesman, residing near
Golden-square.
It appeared that the prisoner had became initiated with a des-
perate gang of thieves, and in consequence of his bad conduct his
father turned him out of doors, finding him incorrigible. On the
day mentioned in the indictment, he went to his father's house
during his absence, and carried off the articles in question, and
pledged them at different pawnbrokers in the neighbourhood.—
He was subsequently apprehended and carried before the ,Magis-
trate. The tools were produced, and sworn to by Mr. Norton, se.
nior, and the prisoner was identified by the pawnbroker as the per-
son who pledged them.—The Jury found him Guilty.
The father was then called upon to state whether his son had ever
been convicted before? but'he was so affected at his son's situation,
that he could not utter a word.

The prikoner was then removed from the dock.

Pooa RATES.—In the parish of Box, Wilts, the p-or's
rate on the rental of 4001. amount to 661. 'l'lle rent f
arable land is about 11. per acre. The farmers complain of
the severity of the game laws. The price of labour is
from 7s. to Sc. per week for a man. The women, at this
season, have no profitable employment.
The Officers of the Unien-hall Police office h 'Ave got
hold of a Gipsy. and a woman with whom he cohabits, who are
expected to give information which may lead to a discovery of the
murderers of Akehurst and his housekeeper. It seems Mary Ayres
and her husband are implicated in a robbery which took place three
years ago; and the plunder was carried to the cottage of her mother,
who denies any knowledge of the description of the property,
though a large bag was placed in her care at that time. Ayres 's
cottage has been searched ; nothing was found except a p lir of
shoes and other trilling property, which Mrs. Ayres had brought
(ruin her father's cottage after his death and burial. The Gipsy
and the' woman yesterday afternoon unslerwent a short examination;
and last night they slept at Dorking, and the officers slept
in an adjoining room. The Gipsy appeare,i n. twe anxloui CU state ad
lie knew, while the Woman was teserved, aliti apparently angry at
,bei•ig interrogated.