The Statesman.
London, England, 1821-02-21 00:00:00

OLD 8.111,EY.

Yesterday, John Robinson and John Humphreys
were indicted for stealing two sacks of flour, the pro-
perty of Mr. William Stanbrough, the proprietor of
the great ,our-mills at Islewortb. Thomas Frearson,
aged 62, was indicted for receiving the same.
Mr. ALIAS' stated the case fur the prosecution, which,
he stated, was instituted on account of the great losses
the prore:utor had sustained for some years, and
which was discovered by a conversation being over-
heard between Robinson and Humphreys, who were in
the service of the prosecutor. The above prisoners,
the Learned Counsel stated, were then beard to say,
that their depredations produced near 9001.—Mr. M-
iry then proceeded to state the facts of the case, from
which it appeared, that on the 29th of January, the
prisoner Humphreys was ordered to load the waggoa
with 20 sacks of flour, for Mr. Hogg, at Hammersmith,
which Robinson, the driver of the waggon, woe
to convey thither. This was accordingly done ;
but two more sacks of flour were concealed at
the bottom of the waggon under some bay and
tarpauliog ; this was observed by the prosecutor, who
i -ever, took no notice; but on the waggon setting
off, lie followed as far as Turnham Green, where he
procured the assistance of Air. Mammon, the High
Constable, o ho proceeded to watch the prisoner Robin-
son, and the waggon. On its arrival at Hammer-
smith the 20 sacks were delivered according to order.
The waggon, at the time of unloading, was under the
gateway of Mr. Hogg's premises; from the window
above every transaction was seen by the high consta-
ble, who observed the prisoner, after delivering his
load, put his great coat over the two concealed sacks
and then proceed to a Mrs. Day's, where be had to
leave a quantity of barley-meal, according to his alas-
ter's order, and their received a number of empty
sacks. From thence the prisoner returned, and was
immediately joined by Prearson, who opened a sack
marked with the initals of his name, while Robinson
emptied the contents of one of the concealed sacks
into it. The waggon afterwards %vent up a bye lane
when Frearson livid another garb, into which a quan-
tity of flour was put by Robinson. The parties then
proceeded to a watering house, when the two prisoners
got out of the waggon and went in!o the public-
house, and Frearson was then suddenly missed, it
being supposed that he had observed the constable, for
Robinson drove the tern to his master's mill, and on
arriving there called out to the prisoner Humphreys to
take the flour into the mill, as lie had c 'tiled it
away in mistake. Oti the high constable questioning
him, be said be bad taken it by Mistake, and that
lie had put into the other sacks on account of the first
one bursting ; but on being asked why he had not
pot it in his master's empty sacks instead of Frearson'e,
lie made no reply, and was immediately taken into
custody. On searchin7 Frearson's house, a large
quantity of flour was found in the bed-rooms ; and on
being asked how he became possessed of it, he replied
that he could prove where he bought it, and could
show the receipts. Before the Magistrate lie eon-
fessed having been in the waggon with Robinson,
though be had previously denied it. He also observed,
on being conveyed to prison, that be did not expect to
have gone alone.
Mr. Baouantea, Counsel for the prisoners, here took
an objection to the indictment, and contended the pri-
soners could not he indicted together.

Mr. ALLEY, on
objection, and after

a Trrilict of acquittal

Robinson and H
their defence; they

of flour were taken

prisoner called sereral
The RICORDER
perviettity„ and the
The above trial,
great intcrest in a

the other side, argued against the of men, hut h'
r a few remarks from t RECORDER, ral sub3Criptio
tal was taken for Fr . so many of th
years.
Inrophreys were t led on for A second hat
,y both asserted two sacks ito the ring, foi
!II away by 4 - The latter
renal witnesses to Obi .1411
summed up the eT, Flik great
g.fi
se Jury pronounced tie IT o priiamen -411:4- vit _
•
2,... le i
, which lotted sererat'llooit, irilledllllllll6lP4teviroiz..
crowded Conn. • rays, - Ws, vet