OLD BAILEY, Saturday, Apr...
The Times, 1824-04-12T00:00:00

SHOP2a!FT5No.-Elcanor Lco7ard, a handsome voung wonian, was indieted for stealing two pieces of lace. Tiu prisoner weent in- to the slhop of alr. Clement, a lineudraper, in St. Gilcs's, about 8 o'clock in the evening, and whiilst the prosecutor was servin2z I:er, lie observed her take a piece of lace and secrete it under her arm - the prosecutor was surprised at such conduct in a female of such re- spectable appearance, and could scarcely credit the evidenc.~ of his own senses; he therefore put another piece of lace near the place where the former piece was taken fromn, and sooI1 after the prisoner conveyed that away; the prosecutor then challenged her with having committed a robbery, and she denied it in most positive terms. She was exceedingly agitated. A constable was sent for, shc was taken into custody, and the property found upon her. Vcrd,ict Guiilty; but strongly reconmmended to mercy on account of her vouth. The Coutt expressed an opinion, that an inordinate love of dress asd finery had led to the commnission of the theft. FORGERY... WMss.. Clive Gray, aged 34, described as a surgeon, a man of gentlemanlv exterior, stood indicted for forging ard uttering a bill of exchauge for 101. with intenc to defraud Thomas Chalmner, of the Edzware-road. The prosecutor stated that he let a readsv furnished house in Hertford-street, Park-lane, to a Mrs. Greig. an intimate friend of the prisoner's. She took possession on the 24th of July last. On her quitting the premises. she was indebted to wit- ness (after the payment of a bill which she had given. and which was not due at that time) the surn of 181. The prisoncr called re- peatedly on withecss respecting the payment of this money, and on the 2.&h of JanuarY, witncss saw the prisoner, in con- sequence of a le-ter witness had sent bim. The prisoner said. that witness had written him a very scurrilous letter, and had accused him of being a deserter; and said " A de. serter! indeed I a no drserter, and if you will go to my agents. ('ox and Greenwoo, yoti will hear of me: I am William Grav. a Lieutenant on half-pay, of the .'i8 h reciment of Foot." WVitness then expressed his sorrow if he had said whiat was untrue, and he gave up his author. The prisoner then introduce4 the subject of paying Mrs. Greig's rent, and said lie would give 'ecurity for itspayrncnt, tlounih lie could not pav it that dav. Witness asked the prisoner and :rs. Greiw, both beinir present, if the 901. bill due on the previous Thursday had been paid ? They both replied that it was paid. U'it- ness then agreed to take a bill for the remainder of the rent, upon the prisoner premising to pay 81. in c5sh on the Tuesday. A stamp was sent for, and the prisoner drew a bill for IOL cn Mrs. Gireig, and afterwards endorsed it. l'he witness was cross-examined bv AMr. H. CoOPER, who put in a letter written by witness, the prosecutor, dated 27th, and ad- dre.ssed to the prisoner in Newsgate, which stated that the 101. bill was dishonoured, and urging the prisoner's attention to it immedi- ately, W\titn2ss had no knowledge of the prisoner hating gone bv another namne, but he had discovered that he was not an officer in the army. W1nm. Byerley sworn.-Had known the prisoner some years; his namewas W illiam Clive Gray. Mr. Justice PARK said, the Judges had deci4e4 that if a person tIrew or endorsed a'bill in his proper name, though he gave a false representation at the time of uttering, it was not a forgery ; and thereforehe directedl an acquittal. The prosecator said he was glad the prisoner liad escaped, thoueth he, and a nest of swindlers, had defrauded him of upwards of 401. A verdictof Not Gutilty was recorded. and the prisoner discharged. O),LD DAILEY. Sabirdau. Anrml lf).