The Sun. — 1845-10-24 (London, England)

JEREMY DIDDLER.—Robert Martin, a stylish young gentleman, was charged with obtaining goods under fraudulent pretences from a number of West-end tradesmen, Mr. W. Henry Martin, whip and umbrella-maker, Burlington- arcade, said the defendant called at his shop in September, and conducted himself so as to impress him with the belief that he was a distinguished member of the sporting circles. He ordered a tandem whip, a hunting whip, two canes, and a parasol, to be sent to his apartments in Hansplace, Chelsea, on approbation. The goods were left,but when a call was made to ascertain if they suited, it was discovered that the customer and goods had vanished. Complainant discovered that a portion (4 his goods had been pledged at Mr. Rochfort's, a pawnbroker in the district. Mr. HARDWICK said the complainant's case was one of a very common description. He had believed the defendant's representations, andihad not taken the precaution to make those inquiries and obtain those references which ordinary 'caution would dictate. Mr. Martin said he must shut up his shop if he attempted to conduct his business on such a system. Were he to ask a sporting gentleman, or a gentleman of fashion, for a reference, the party applied to would ask him if he looked like a thief, and would take care not to let the circumstance remain unknown among his friends. It was hardly conceivable what risks tradesmen were obliged to run, and the small amount of protection they had. Mr. HARDWICK replied that the law did not reach the present case. Morally, the defendant might have swindled the complainant out of his property, but legally it was a debt. As it was stated that many other charges of the same sort would be produced, several other tradesmen were examined, but their cases possessing similar features, met of course with the same fate. Mr. IlAunwicx was informed there were also charges of passing forged cheques against the prisoner. Ther b, lodged at his house, No. 19, New-street, Deptford. They were at dinner in the kitchen. Witness was present smoking a pipe at the fire-side. Prisoner and her husband were jarring together. The prisoner had been out drinking somewhere before dinner. Her husband was quite sober. A few words ensued, when she seized hold of the knife produced (a white-handled table knife), and without saying anything until after she had used it, stabbed him in the face, making a wound several inches long. The cut went completely through to his teeth. She then made a blow at his side with the knife, saying that she would "finish" him. Thinking that the man would be murdered, he knocked the prisoner down, and forced the knife from her. Witness then ran and called a police constable. The policeman and prisoner went out, and witness accompanied the prosecutor to a chemst's shop in Flagon-row, where he had prompt surgical assistance.  Mr. Edward Dowling, police surgeon, attended the pros cutor. The wound inflicted was a circular one of the left cheek, and extended through the cheek to his teeth, and must have caused a fearful loss of blood. It was doubtful fur some time after whether the poor man would survive, owing to the great exhaustion from loss of blood. The prisoner was then fully committed to Newgate for trial.