The Atherstone, Nuneaton, and Warwickshire Times. — 1881-09-03 (Atherstone, Warwickshire, England)

THE EXTENSIVE 81101' ROBBERIES AT LEAMINGTON.  APPLICATION FUR 1,A11..  On Monday last, at the TOWII Hall. Mr. Albert Overell applied to the sitting magistrates—the Mayor (All. Bright), All. Bowen, and Messrs. Glover, W. Harding, I'. Mud,leman, and T. W. Thnrsfield—for William Jefferson to be admitted to bail. He said that it was a principle of English law that a person should not be kept needlessly in gaol, iind on satisfactory bail being produced, it was almost the duty of magistrates to admit a prisoner to bail, except in cases of murder or other very serious charge, where there was reason to fear that the ,rerson would ab,cond if liberated. In the present case he did not consider the case a serious one, the principal persm implicated, the prisoner's wife, having been before the Bench, convicted and sentenced. There was in his opinion only very slight evidence against William Jefferson, which, WIICII the case came before a jury, he felt confident would not be sufficient to ensure a conviction. He therefore asked the Bench to admit William Jefferson to bail, amt to fix such reasonable bail as would not preclude him from obtainine. it. His client's father, who was in business in Yorkshire as a fish merchant, was present, and WO willing to become surety in any reasonable amount the Bench might think proper to fix. He hoped the Bench would be content with a reasonable sum, and would accept one surety. As William Jefferson was a stranger in Leamington, there might be some difficulty in finding another surety. Mr. Davies said that by the courtesy of Mr. Overell, he knew the present application was to be made, but, before admitting W mlhiamn Jefferson to bail, lie hoped the 1301101 Mould bear one or two facts in mind. Mr. Overell said it was not a serious case, and that in his opinion there was not sufficient evidence to ensure a conviction. He would let these observations pass merely with the remark that the Beneli would never have committed the accused for trial had they not considered the evidence sufficient to justify that being done. He was not instructed on behalf of the prosecution to oppose the application in such a way as to keep the man in prison, if the Bench thought the bail tendered sufficient. But without wishing to appear to dictate to the Bench in any way, lie would ask that there sheuld be two sureties, and not merely one. He would ask too, that forty-eight hours' notice of the bail to be tendeied should be given to the Chief-constable, and also to himself.  Mr. Overell stated that on Saturday he mentioned the prisoner's father to Mr. Brabner, and referred him to the bankers with whom he did business to satisfy himself respecting his pecuniary position. He believed Mr. Brabner telegraphed to the firm, and had received a satisfactory reply. Mr. Davies : If the Chief-constable is satisfied I am.  _ Mr. Brabner : I am perfectly satisfied with ;Slr. Johnson rim .one surety.. .  Mr. Davies : I would remind your Worships that there are other charges hanging over this man, which may be preferred. The Clerk : Are the bondsmen here ?  Mr. Davies : There is only one present. The Clerk : Only one Mr. Davies : To whom I object.  The Mayor said the Magidrates had decided to require two sureties in £5O each. Mr. Robertson Jefferson, fish merchant, Flanborough, Grimsby, the father of the prisoner : and John Sprawson, cabinet maker and joiner, 42, (trove-street, with whom Mr. and Mrs..lefterson had lodged for some time, were then tendered by Mr. Albert Oremll, and were accepted by the Bench, after each had been sworn and deposed that, after payment of his just debts, he should still be worth £5O.  In the course of the day the prisonoes recogni-7.1.11C0S in £lOO was taken at the gaol, and he was then liberated.