The Sun. — 1852-08-19 (London, England)

RUSSELL GURNEY, Q.C.) Charles Collins, 62, publisher, a respectable looking old man, was indicted for stealing a case of four portraits, valued at 101, the property of Antonio Claudet. Mr. W. Cooper prosecuted, and Mr. Robinson defended. .  The prisoner in this case had gone to the'prosecutor, who is the well-known daguerreotype artist of . Regent-street, and, under pretence that he was publishing a portrait gallery of the aristocracy and others, borrowed the case of likenesses, which were never returned, and subsequently found to have been pawned. The evidence failing to prove that the pictures had been given to the prisoner in the first instance, his Lordship directed an acquittal. He was then indicted for stealing a daguerreotype portrait, the property of Robert Hogg. The prosecutor, who was the American daguerreotype artist, and proprietor of the miniature gallery, 432, West Strand, proved that the prisoner came to him with a similar tale, and after having some business transactions, one of which was getting him to take the likeness of Mr. Charles Salisbury Butler, he obtained the portrait in question, which was also pawned. In cross-examination this witness said he did not know whether he gave the portrait to the prisoner or his son. The prisoner was Acquitted. A third indictment was then gone into for stealing a portrait valued at 51., the property of Lord Sandys. This case was also enveloped in the same mystery. An application for the same purpose as above stated was made, the prisoner introducing himself by letter; this was last year; and when the prisoner was taken into custody, among the duplicates found on him was one relating to the portrait (an oil painting) in question ; but how it had found its way from his Lordship's mansion in Curxon-street, May-fair, to the pawnbroksr's could not be unravelled, no one recollecting its being given to the prisoner. An Acquittal was taken in this case. Inspector A Cumming said there were about fifty more cases against him if the parties would have pro. secuted. The prisoner had carried on the game for some yeas in all parts of the country, and had defrauded hundreds, the value of the portraits being some thousands, and persons so defrauded had sent up money to redeem their portraits. William Worley, 39, tinplateworker, was indicted for feloniously wounding Nathan Defries, with intent, &c. Mr. Ballantine prosecuted, and Mr. Charnock defended. The prosecutor, a gas engineer and dry meter maker, stated that in June last prisoner worked for two days in his shop, for which he demanded payment. Prosecutor referred him to his cashier, telling him that his payday was Friday. On Tuesday, the 6th of July, prisoner went to the counting-house of the factory in Diana-place, and said he had come for his money. Witness said that he knew nothing of it, and rang the bell for his foreman, whom he asked if anything was due. The foreman said there was not, but by their rules the prisoner owed them money for spoiling some work. The foreman then went away, leaving prisoner, who said, " You don't mean to pay me? Then, I'll pay you," and immediately took a wallet from his side pocket, and, brandishing it to take a sure aim, struck him with all his force on the head and ran away. Witness called " Murder, and tried to follow, but the blood spirted like a fountain from the wound, a fearful one just above the left ear, and prosecutor fainted. When he recovered he was at the doctor's, and the prisoner was in the hands of the police. It further appeared that the same morning the prisoner had threatened to do for the prosecutor if he did not pay him. The foreman had heard his master's cries, and ran after the prisoner, who was running away as fast as he could. When in the hands of the police he said he was sorry for what he had done. m, and On behalf of the prisoner it was statedan that he had hada always been a quiet, well-behaved wife and family. The jury found him Guilty, recommending him to mercy. He was sentenced to 12 months' imprisonment and hard labour. In the course of the day true bills were found against Lord Frankfort and Mary Taylor for. misdemeanour, and, upon the application of Mr. Giffard,a warrant was issued for the woman, who it was said had absconded.