The Sun. — 1852-08-21 (London, England)

LAMBETH. William Downes, who has been in custody for some weeks on a charge of " sharping" Mr. Thomas Hiller, a greengrocer, residing at 16, Princess-ter. race, Caledonian-road, Islington, out of 101, and also robbing him of 151, was again placed at the bar before the Hon. G. C. Norton.  From the evidence adduced against the prisoner, it appeared that on Saturday, the 24th of last month, he, accompanied by two of his confederates, entered the prosecutor's shop and asked for some oysters, knowing very well that he did not deal in such an article; and, up,,n being told the fact, said he would not mind giving 51. for some, and that he would stand a pound's worth. The prisoner, who shammed drunkenness, began tossing with the others, who seemed sober, for money, but tie prosecutor objecting to it and saying be could not allow such a proceeding in his house, all three left, the prisoner neglecting (intentionally, no doubt) to take his cane with himmed On , and the following Monday the prisoner again el anxiously inquired if he had been there on Friday or Saturday, saying that he had been to some place where he had left his cane, and he did not mind giving Si or even 10/. for its restoration,ehad come up from as it belonged to his father. He Reading to receive said2,oool,, which h , which his aunt had left him, and that he should O stop in town another week, and did not much care if he spent the Whole of that money, as he should get seven times that amount when he got back. Just before,on the the prisoner's calling prosecutor, and a confederate "dropped in ' after asking various questions as to the rent of the houses in the neighbourhood, he inquired if he had got a horse and cart. The prosecutor said he had, and he then asked if he could remove some pictures for him from " round the corner " to Finsbury, and said he should call back in a short time, when he requested that the horse and cart might be ready. While the prisoner was in the shop speaking about the 2,000/. the other man returned, and said he was very sorry that he could not have the things moved on that day, and ultimately a ride to Copenhagenfields, to see a walking-match, was proposed and agreed upon. Before beaching that place they pulled up at two public-houses, and though the prosecutor had not drunk much he became perfectly stupid. After this they drove to several places, and, the third man having disappeared, the prisoner told the prosecutor that he was incapable of taking care of his money, and said he should keep it for him. The prosecutor then gave him some money, which the prisoner said was 151., and having won from him besides 101. at skittles, the prisoner attempted to make his escape, but was secured, When taken to the stationere and searched, 11 sovereigns andl43. 6d. in silver w found on him, but no notes. There were also found close to where he stood nine pieces—eighterel.an. counters resembling soverigns, and one half-sovereign. Walnut Tree `William Parsons, potman a.. the on the 24th of July public-house, Lambeth, the prisoner and prosecutsoaridedn thatte red the skittle-ground belonging to his master, a the first game the thepro prisoner rlilayed at skittles. In bet the prisoner five pounds to one, and won. In the next game, which was for Si. each, the prosecutor gave the prisoner two chalks out of five, and the latter won of  Course. Sergeant Combes,'lo L, said he bad known the prisoner well for six or seven years, and during the whole of that time he was the constant companion of the members of the swell mob, and the most notorious thieves and skittle sharps. He had also seen him at various races, end had observed him in the bettingring at some of those places, with his betting-book and pencil in hand,offering to lay any atnount against the horses entered for the race.— (Laughter.) Combs mentioned the names of several of the thieves and bad characters in whose company he had observed the prisoner, and amongst them was the murderer of Mr. J3ellcharabers in Westmiw ter,  The prisoner, who declined offering anythiog 1° defence, was fully ct natritted to take his trial at the Old. Bailey, on the double charge of conspiracy t° defraud and also robbinw the prosecutor of 151.; bust it being expected that other charges will be brought. against him, he was ordered to be brought UP "4 till other day.  THE COUNTIL^x• MAIticiETS• the