The Forest of Dean Examiner : — 1877-05-11 (Blakeney, Gloucestershire, England)

LEEDS GAS ACCOUNT COLLECTOR. Last week, at the twill Town Hall, before Aid. Luseock mid Mr. A. Lawson, Margaret Wilkinson, -21, Back Park street, Leeds, wee charged with stealing a gold watch end chain from Jame. Mortimer Lancaster, Harlon place. Woodhouse, collector to the Lent• Corporation Gee Company. Mr. A. Watson prosecuted. The prosecutor said hat on the 2i.th April, at half-past live in the evening, he was receiving mut account at the shop of Mr. liortley, butcher, West street. The prisoner was there, and, following him into the next shop, she said she owed a gas screen for • house in Saville street, hut r hut she coold gat coy at thee. He went into the Leeds Arms, and ordered a glass of beer, and the prisomir foi- owing, &leo for a glass of gin. At her request, prosecutor looked in ho book for an account in the name of Hobson or Robsou. She then left the public-house, saying she would go to the residence of her sister, in Bask Pork street. and get the money for the account. He left the house shortly afterward.. The prisoner met him lo the street, and as she pressed Istin to go with her to Back Park Street to settle the account, he went. She asked him to have "a drop of beer," which was already poured Into a cup, and, after refusing twice, he drank about two table spoonsful.. Almost immediately he became unconscious. He was aroused by receiving a kick in the stomach, and when he partially regained his senses he found that he had been almost com• pletely stripped. lie ,houted " Murder :" up in which the prisoner struck him upon the head with a pitcher, sad a man, who had come into the room since be went there, kicked his ear, causing blood to tli.w freely. In his undercoat, which woe the only artiste Of clothing besides hie shirt which be cou.d find, was Liii which he had when he entered the house, but his watch and guard were gone. He escaped from the house whilst partially unconscious, and w. provided with trousers by the crowd which had gathered outside the house. The police noon after. wards apprehended the prisoner, but the man who kicked him had got away. The prisoner said she was very drunk when the prosecutor first spoke to her in the butcher's shop, and that she recolleeted nothing more until a policeman took her. Detectlye-Inspector Nortoliffe and other officers sold that when the woman was received at the police mile she was sober. Mary Ann Walmeley said the prisoner occupied the room above hers, and lived with a man known as "Cockney." The prosecutor on the evening named brought the prisoner into her apartment, said she was his niece, and sent wittiest' for beer. On reformer she found the prosecutor partly undressed. He drunk of the beer, and asked her to drink. She ( witMO) then went into the cellar kitchen. Soon afterwards "Cockney" mune in end lent up stairs. Five minutes later the chamber windows were broken, and then " Cockney " same down, putting a watch and guard in his pocket, and, saying he would fetch a policeman, went sway and did not return. The promonitor afterwards came down, and went into the street. lie was bleeding from e wound upon the ear, In reply to Mr. Watson, witness said sie had been in gaol four or five times—onoe for stealing beef, and also for fighting. She came front Hull nine weeks ago. When the prosecutor came into the house with the prisoner he had some steak in his hand, which she afterwards saw him frying upstairs. Witness had not had a conversation with the prisoner about the prosecutor before the latter came in. She did not get the gin which she brought back with the beer at a druggist's shop. The men 'Cockney" and the prisoner had been living together as husband and wife. The prisoner was committed to the Leeds borough Regions for trial.