Glasgow Courier. — 1857-05-05 (Glasgow, Strathclyde, Scotland)

AMAX= OD ROBBERY.  John Orr, Jane Ferguson, and Diana M'lntyre, were accused of the crimes of assault and robbery, in so far as on Wednesday, the 7th of January last, in the house of Christina Itrlntyre,East Clyde Street, they did attack and assault John Bathes, ship carpenter, residing in Sunderland, county of Durham, and seize him by the throat and neck, and with their fists strike him several blows on the face, and by force and violence rob him of a silver watch, a worsted guard, a purse containing les in silver money, a button link, and a stock neck-tie knot. The prisoners, who were defended by Mr. Moncrieft, pleaded not guilty. From the evidence given by Darken it appeared that on the evening in question he had gone to M‘lntyre's house to call on a woman named 141'Dougall. A bottle of whisky was brought into the house, and the prisoners asked him to take a glass, but he declined. M'Dougall was not present. Witness rose to go away, but the prisoner Orr refused to allow him, and witness asked what he meant. Orr replied that he wanted his money. Witness then buttoned his topcoat, and said that if the prisoners attempted to take his money the would pay for it. He made another attempt to get out, but found the door fastened. The female prisoners then rose, and followed him to the door, and Orr seized him by the neck, but be twisted himself round and freed Ore's hand from his neck. Witness then said if the would allow hi-, to he  -.let coula le. After succeeding in clearing himself from the prisoner's grasp he went to the window and called ' police! murder!' M'lntyre and Ferguson then came forward and struck him on the brow. On then sprang from behind and grasped him by the throat. He again called ' police ! murder r and continued to do so as long as he could breathe. The prisoners did not succeed in robbing him at this time hut they made a similar attack upon him, and succeeded in robbing him of his purse and watch. M'lntyre and Orr then ran out, and he called for the police. Witness identified the prisoners the same evening as the persons who had robbed him.  The jury, after trial, unanimously found the prisoners guilty as libelled.  Lord HANDYSIDE then addressed the prisoner Orr, and said—You have been convicted of assault and robbery. It is a case of robbery in which you showed perseverance and determination to accomplish your purpose. The struggle continued for hours betwixt this man and you. The door was locked to prevent his leaving the house— you insisted on having his property, and notwithstanding that he warned you of the consequences if you persevered, you seized him from behind, and disabled him by placing your hands on his neck. The case is a very bad one, and the sentence of the Court is, that you be transported for 14 years. In sentencing Ferguson and M'lntyre his Lordship said—You are very young girls, but you seem to be pretty expert in crime. Your case is somewhat different from that of the other prisoner, and you are each sentenced to six years' penal servitude. This finished the business of the Court, the cases against William Notman, sen., and William Notinan, jun., for fraud, and the men accused of the robbery of Mr. Laing's jewellery, being, we believe, sent to Edinburgh ; and the usual question being put by the Clerk of Court, whether any person had any complaint to make against the Sheriffs? An elderly man, named Robert Hunter, stepped forward, and preferred a complaint against Sheriff Steele, concerning, as we undeistood, a decision in a small debt case.  Lord lIANDYSIDE said if Mr. Hunter had any complaint to make against Sheriff Steele his course was to apply to the Sheriff Principal, Sir Archibald Alison.  Mr.