The Central Glamorgan Gazette, and General, Commercial, and Agricultural Advertiser. — 1873-03-14 (Bridgend, Mid Glamorgan, Wales)

ROBBERY WITH VIOLENCE AT CARDIFF.  William Davis, a cooper, surrendered to his recognisances and was placed in the dock charged with assaulting Ann Baxendale, and stealing from her person a purse of three shillings. Prisoner was furthcr charged with having used violence towards the prosecutrix when committing the robbery. Mr. Dalton prosecuted and Mr, B. F. Williams defended the accused. Mrs. Baxendale stated that she was the wife of William Baxendale, and resided at Reath. At twelve o'clock on the night of August, the 19th last, she was proceeding home, and when near Miss Vaughan's school, at Roath, she met prisoner, who struck her down. She asked the prisoner what he wanted, and he replied that he wanted her money, and she then said she had no money. Prisoner wrenched her wrist, and took from her hand a purse containing three shillings. She was positive prisoner was the person who committed the theft. It was a moonlight night. In cryis.examioation witness adhered to the state. ment that the prisoner was the man. He wore a cap and a aloe (a white jacket) at the time. She identified him at the policc•station. She was shown two men at the police-station, and the policeman said, "Which of the two is it ?" Mr. Williams: And you picked out the likeliest? Witiress : I picked out the guilty man.  A young man named Richaixi Ingram Jones was going home to Splottlands on the night in question. He heard cries of murder, and went in the direction, and saw a man, to whom he spoke. The man he believed was the prisoner. He also saw the prosecntrix there. He would not swear positively the prisoner was the man. P.C. Rees (39), who was on duty at Splottlanda on the night in question, also said he heard screams. Afterwards two men passed him near a lamp-post; one of the men he believed to be the prisoner. He was dressed in a cap and a white jacket. Mr. Williams: You wcre the policeman who put the prisoner and another ,man together for Mrs. Baxendale to identify, and said, "Which of the two is it?" Witness : Yea. Mr. Williams: And you said to her "Which of 'seas two is it ?' Witness : I put three together. Mr. Williams: Then if Mrs. Baxenda'e says it was two, she is wrong. Witness : I put three in the passage. Mr. Williams: And you said, "Which of the three jail ?"  these  Witness (amidst much surprise) : Yea. Mr. Williams: Is it usual for you to do it in that ay? Witness : It is the first time.  Mr. Williams: And I hope it will be your last. The Judge also disapproved of such a proceeding, and drew the constable's attention to the fact that when making such a statement he was taking it for granted that one of the persons was the person who committed the robbery. P.C. 146, county constabulary, and stationed at Roath, said he received prisoner into custody, and upon being charged with the offence, he replied, "Well, I do not know that I ever saw her before she came and picked me out as the man." He conveyed prisoner to Llandaff petty sessions, and on the way the accused said, "If they find me guilty of this charge, all I have to do is to stand it with a good heart." At the time prisoner wore the white jacket and cap produced. The jacket was a very common, but the cap was an unusual one. A medical gentleman, practising at Reath, deposed to the injuries complainant had received. For the defence an alibi was set up by the learned counsel to the effect that prisoner was in the house at the time the alleged robbery was committed. To substantiate this, prisoner's father, sister, and a neighbour were called, who proved that prisoner was in the house about ten o'clock on the night in question. 'the Judge: This is very strong. Mr. Dalton, what do you say to it? Mr. Dalton : I do not think it is worth while proceeding further a ith the case. The jury found a verdict of not guilty, and prisoner was discharged.