The Sun. — 1845-01-20 (London, England)

THE SUN, LONDON, MONPAY EVESING, JANUARY 20 18  OARING BURGLARY NEAR GLASTON. (Frtiiii the Lincoln let'eurp.) On Thursday night, the 9th instant, a daring burplary was bompiitted by five men in the dwelling-house 6f the Eby. G. Poeiiin, situate at the ehd of alastoti-ianel in Rutland, about a quarter of a mile from the village. It seems that the Rev. Gentleman, who is unmarried and of retired and rather eccentric habits, resided alone in a house In a lehely situation, a short distance from the turnpike-road, between Stamford and Up' pizigham. lie himself performed all the domestic offices, with the exception of such as he left for a charwoman, who attended him once a week. On the night in question he retired to his bed-room (which is on the ground floor), having previously fastened the doors, and placed a light by his bed-side. After some time, he was awakened by a noise, which he describes as being " as if the house was coming about his ears." The window and the frame of his apartment were de:nolished, the shutters flew open, and in an instant a man wearing a black mask jumped in, and secured him in bed. Two tall fellows, also in masks, promptly followed; and with dreadful imprecations they swore they would murder him if he made the least alarm or resistance. The bed clothes were then pulled over his face, and the man who first entered held him down in the bed, whilst the other two ransacked the house. A fourth man stood outside the window, and repeatedly called out to know if all was right ; and a fifth, it is supposed, kept watch at the gate near the turnpike-road, from the footmarks traced by the police on the following morning. The thieves lighted a candle from Mr. Pochin's rushlight, and proceeded to break open the various drawers, and almost every lock in the house. On finding a pocket-book and examining the contents, they expressed themselves dissatisfied with the small amount of cash in it (about 1151.), and demanded of the Rev. Gentleman where he had deposited a thousand pounds, which they said they knew he had received a few days before. He denied having any such money in the house, and begged to be allowed to get up to show them where the property was. He was answered by the fellow who held him down, " Lie still, sir, or I'll cut your throat, you old villain." In the same pocket book were several notes of hand, which the robbers, on discovering that they were of no value to them, threw on the floor. They next entered the parlour, and there broke open a sideboard, and untied and examined several parcels containing deeds and securities, which they threw about in all directions ; here, however, they discovered some gold, and also Mr. Pochin's silver plate, which they took away. They returned into Mr. Pochin's room, and asked for his gold watch and appendages ; and on receiving an answer that he had only a silver watch, they exclaimed, "We won't have that." Having completed their work of plunder, they helped themselves to some brandy, and then proceeded to tie the Rev. Gentleman's legs and wrists with two pieces of rope ; and on taking their departure, they swore that if he stirred hand or foot, or gave the least alarm, they would return and murder him, and burn down the house. As they were getting out of the window, Mr. Pochin said, " Are you going to leave me here, you villains, to be starved to death 1" Upon which one of them answered, " o, sir, we will make you up another bed in another room with pleasure." On this they decamped ; and on Mr. Pochin's finding himself alone, he commenced gnawing the cord which secured his wrists with his teeth, and having succeeded in unfastening it, he set his feet at liberty, instantly got up and dressed, and arming himself with a brace of pistols, proceeded to Glaston to arouse his neighbours and give information of the outrage.