The Express. — 1867-01-30 (London, England)

CENTRAL CRIMINAL COURT.  (Before the Recorder.)  James Williams Woods, 20, a gentlemanly-looking young man, surrendered to take his trial upon a charge of stealing a bank note for 1001. the property of Messrs. Barnett, Hoare, and Co. the bankers.  , The prisoner pleaded guilty. Mr. Sleigh, who, with Mr. Poland, was instructed to prosecute, said that the prisoner was a young man ; he had been a considerable time in the service of the prosecutors, and they believed he had committed the offence under some sudden temptation, and under these circumstances be WAS instructed to recommend the prisoner to the merciful consideration of the court.  Mr. Metcalfe, who appeared for the prisoner, also urged in mitigation of punishment the youth of the prisoner and his previous good character. The Recorder sentenced him to nine months' imprison. ment and hard labour. Thomas Cannon surrendered to take his trial for misdemeanour in having unlawfully made a false declaration before one of the commissioners appointed by law to take declarations in certain matte's.  Mr. Collins prosecuted ; the defendant conducted his own else.  This inquiry occupied the court a considerable time, but a vast quantity of irrelevant matter was introduced into the inquiry by the cross-examination of the defendant, and the real facts appeared to be these. The defendant was the proprietor of • local journal called the South London Journal and Croydon Free Peres and itapperred that in the latter end of the year 186.5 re desired to borrow 1001. of • solicitor named Ellworthy, who consented to advance the money upon the security of the good-will of the newspaper referred to, but he required the defendant to make a declaration that the property was unencumbered and under his control. The defendant did subsequently make • declaration to that effect, and the allegation on the part of the prosecution was that at the time the defendant made this declaration he was aware that the property in the newspaper had been assigned to other parties as • security for • second loan that had been advanced by them. The prosecutor, Mr. Ellworthy, was crease:stained at iamaiderable length by the defendant, but the only material fact that appeared to be elicited from him was that the greater portion of the 1001. had been repaid, and that he had taken other security betides that of the good-will of the newspaper, and that under this security be could realise the whole amount he had advanced whenever he chose to do so.  The Recorder having summed up, the jury, after a short deliberation, returned a verdict of Oniftv, but recommended the defendant to mercy, Re they believed that he was not actuated by any fraudulent intention. The defendant was sentenced to two mouths' imprisonment.  Bone Fremen, IS, who had been committed for the murder of her illegitimate child, but in whose case the grand jury ignored the bill, pleaded guilty to the minor offence of unlawfully endeavouring to conceal the dead body. Sarah Spaldi np, 43, and John Shafer, 42, pleaded guilty to the charge of unlawfully endeavouring to conceal the dead body of an illegitimate child, of which the first men. tioned prisoner had been delivered. Mr. liesley, who was instructed to prosecute, said that in this case there was not the slightest ground for believing that the child was born alive.  Mr. Cooper, who appeared for Shofer, said that all he had done was to foolishly accompany the other defendant at the time she endeavoured to hide the dead body of the child in a field near Notting-bill. The Reeorder sentenced Spalding to two months, and Shofar to 14 days' imprisonment. George Gomersall Ifolroyd, 28, clerk, and Darid 21, clerk, pleaded guilty to several charges of embezzling considerable sums of money, the property of Meson. Bell and Black, wax veld& manufacturers, in Bow-lane.