The Statesman.
London, England, 1823-05-28 00:00:00

SURREY &FISSIONS.

Themes Barris sod George Heat were indicted for
stealing some silver spoons from the home of Mr. Mark-
ham, at Lambeth. The prisoners, it appears, were bosh
eostermongers, and were to the habit of going from haw
to house for the ostensible purpose of selling fruit and ve-
getables, but really, as appeared in the sequel, with .the
intention of pilfering whatever came in their way. when
opportunities were presented to them. On the 20th last.
these two men called at the prosecutor's home in Lam-
beth with apples to sell, and having imperilaently forced
themselves into the kitchen, one of them contrived to
purloin four silver tea-spoons which were lying on the
dresser, and with this booty they precipitately retreated.
Their roguery was soon found out, sad they were Mated
to a bye-lane hard by, where souse of the spoons were
picked tip, whivh they bad thrown away, seeing they
were purasted. These facts were clearly proved, and the
prisoners were convicted.
The Cnainnsis said this description of robbing was
becoming very prevaleat round the metropolis, and be
bad no doubt but that the prisoners were ext,tisively cos-
nected with a numerous gang of men, who were plender-
ing the public in the same manner ; and, as a warn-
ing to them, and also to prevent a recurrence of the pri-
soners' depredations, at least for some years to come,
he sentenced them each to be transported for seven
year..
Patrick Kelly was indicted for an assault of a very sggra-
rated nature on Ann Stone, an interesting little girl, under
ten years of age. At the last Assizes for the comity of Sur-
rey, this fellow was tried for his life for the same ornate,
but there was then • difficulty in substantiating the capital
part of the crime ; and under the instructions of the Court
the prisoner was acquitted, but ordered to be detained for
the minor assault. Yesterday the wretch was again placed
at the bar, and little Stone, in a most distinct and intelligent
manner, minutely detailed the particulars of the foul attack
which had been made upon her; and it was with great pain
the Court and spectators heard from other evidence the
dreadtri effects which this inhuman outrage had had upon
the poor chilti.The case, for the purposes of this inlictment,
was clearly proved, and the jury, after the usual summing
up of evidence, returned a verdict of Guilty.
The CHAIRMAN largely remarked on the peculiar atrocity
of the case, which he said was much augmented by the cir-I
comstancea of the prisoner being a married man and the fa-
ther of a family. In those stations in life, he ought to have
known and felt that it was his duty to save and protect the
helpless, and not by an inhumanity, scarcely to be con-
ceived, violate and ruin the innocent. Sy a late Act of
Parliament, the Court was furnished with the power of add-
ing hard labonr to the imprisonment inflicted in these dis-
tressiagl eases ; and the Court would therefore 'WI the pri-
soner with the greatest punishment it could, by sentencing
him to be confined in Guildford House of Correction for the
space of twenty-four months, and during that time to be kept
at hard labour.

SHERIFF'S COURT, RED-LioN--,usits, MAT 7.

SINGULAR CASE.
VIE KING V. COLONEL MEANIC.

This was a proceeding on an extent at the suit of the
Crown, against Col. Meant, to recover the sum of 6921.
21.9 d. for goods, wares, and merchandise.
This debt was originally contracted by a person named
Yates, a Naval Officer in Jamaica, who by virtue of his
office received supplies from this country, and on ba•
lancing his acconnts was found minus the above sum.
Being unable to make the amount good, an extent was
ironed in the first instance against himself, and after-
wards, on its being discovered that he had no means of
satisfying the demand, an extent in aid was issued against
a person named Channon, who was said to be the origi-
nal defaulter, to owe him 6671.25. KM. Mr. Chaonon
being also unable to pay, but alleging that Col. Meane,
the present Defendant, owed him 5001. an extent in aid
wall,also issued against that Gen'iman, add the present
inquisition was for the purpose of ascertaining by the
verdict of *Jury, whether Col. Meow possessed any, and
what effects in the County of Middlesex.
Ms. John Horne Clarke, House-agent, Holles-street,
Cavendish-square, knew Col. Meane, who had a house
in Park-street, Grosvenor-square, No. 26, held on lease,
at a rent of 2701. per annum, handsomely furnished.—
Witness has an inventory of the furniture and effects, at
home, in his account-book.
Mr. James Donne examined—Had also seen the
goods, and valued them; allowing for every reasonable
dilapidation between this time and the expiration of the
period for which Miss Elizabeth and Miss Sarah Miller
hold it. he considers a just estimate to be 7421. 19s.
The Jury returned the following verdict :—" We find
the defendant possessed of goods value 7421. 195., and
which are now in the possession of Miss Elizabeth and
Miss Sarah Sillier.