The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1842-03-29 00:00:00

CHARGE OF BURGLARY AND RECEIVING.

Abraham Harrison, ai;fi,a;ili.TaCOTiro;,"l4, were
charged with having burglariously entered the house of James
Unsworth, at Atherton, and stolen therefrom sixteen sove-
reigns, twelve half-crowns, and thirty shillings. Mary Ann
Critchley, a pretty girl, aged 17, was charged with having re-
ceived two Sovereigns, four half-crowns, and ten shillings,
knowing them to have been stolen.

Mr. WILKINs conducted the prosecution.
It appeared from•the evidence, that on Sunday evening the
25th January last, the prosecutor, who resides at Chowbent,
went to chapel. As be was passing from his house, the pri-
soner Harrison was seen crouching behind a post apparently
watching 'him. Mr. Unsworth locked his house up. He
had concealed the key of a room in which was a drawer
wherein he kept his money, under a carpet. On his return
, home he found that the kitchen window had been broken
I open, and access had been gained to his house, which had
been rummaged. The money drawer had been opened, and
£lB had been taken. There were footmarks in the snow in
the yard, and the impressions were about the size of Harri-
son's foot. It was shown that Harrison was well acquainted
with Mr. Unsworth's premises. The three prisoners were
subsequently seen altogether on their way to Bolton, where
they were seen making some purchases, and ultimately the
two boys were seen in company, with the girl drunk. They
were apprehended in Bolton, when £9 9s. 9d., with some
new purchases, were found on Harrison. He said he had
found the money opposite to Unsworth's house. On his
way to the lock-up he said he did not care whether he were
transported or not. The girl had evidently expended much
money in the purchase of articles of apparel. Brown also
had in his possession several new purchases, and two sove-
reigns in his clogs.
There was no case upon the evidence adduced against either
Brown or Mary Ann Critchley.
The jury found Harrison guilty, and acquitted the other
prisoners. There was a previous conviction against Harrison.
It appeared that the prisoner had robbed Unsworth four
times before, always on the sabbath, and while he (Unsworth)
was at chapel.
The prisoner was sentenced to ten years' transportation.
ATTEMPT TO SET FIRE TO A MILL.
William Hoyle, aged 14, and John Mills, 14, were charged
with arson. As the evidence was not sufficient to convict of
that crime, a verdict of acquittal was taken, and the prisoners
were indicted for a misdemeanour, in having attempted, in
February last, at Spotland, to set fire to a cotton mill, the
property of Charles Haigh.
Mr. Brandt conducted the prosecution ; Mr. Green de.
fended the prisoners.
It appeared, that on the night of the 15th of February last,
at eight o'clock, Mr. Haigh's manager examined the mill,
and found it all safe. Next morning, at seven o'clock, he ob-
served a quantity of cotton fly. or light cotton, had been on
fire. The window being level with the ground, and a pane
having been previously broken therein, the cotton was damp,
and had been prevented from burning. There were marks
of feet near the window. and from their appearance suspicion
fell upon Hoyle. His clogs were taken off, and their soles
were found to resemble the impressions. Hoyle was charged
with the offence. He denieuLthat he had committed the of-
fence. He was searched, Ad some lucifer matches were
found in his pockets. He then exclaimed. " Jack Mills was
with me when it was done—we did it last night. We thought
to turn back and put it out, but we did not."
The case against Mills was withdrawn, there being no evi-
dence against him.
The jury found the prisoner Hoyle guilty. Mills was ac-
quitted. Sentence on Hoyle was deferred.
The case against Mills was withdrawn, there being no evi-
dence against him. •
The Jury found the prisoner Hoyle guilty. Mills was
acquitted. Sentence on Hoyle was deferred.