The Daily Times. — 1861-01-01 (Liverpool, Merseyside, England)

THOMAS WINSLOW AGAIN-VAUXHALL ROAD MORALITY.  This individual, who has been so frequently before the public since June last, was up yesterday at the Police Court in a new character, as the prosecutor of two females, named Margaret and Jane Higgins, sisters, for stealing a gold watch from him. The prisoners, it may be remembered, were servants in the house of the late Mrs. James, on a charge for whose murder Winslow was tried and acquitted, and since that time they have resided at Winslow's in the capacity of servants, add one of them, as will be seen by the admission of Winslow, lived with him as his wife. The case excited some interest. Mr. Cobb appeared, for the prosecution; and said : I appear in this case on the part of Thomas Winslow, who does not appear as the prosecutor himself, but as the executor of the will of the late Anne James, of Vauxhall-road. I here produce the probate of the will granted to Winslow, and he prosecutes under that, as he has no more personal right to the watch that was stolen than I have. He was in possession of the watch and chain under the will, and held these articles as executor only. The articles were at my office up to Monday last, and then he came and claimed them under the probate, and I gave them up to him. The prisoners were the servants of the late Mrs. James, and they continued in the same position in Winslow's service. If Winslow owed them anything for wages, they could not take property that belonged to Mrs. James, and of which Winslow was the executor only. The prisoners might be under the impression that they could seize on property belonging to Mrs. James, for salary due by Winslow to them, but it was a mistake, and they were guilty of felony. I will prove that the prisoners took the watch by force from Winslow, and pledged it for £4 ; and I think, sir, you will find it your duty to send them for trial for the felony. He then called the following witnesses to prove the case. Detective-officer Graham said—l took the prisoners into custody, when one of them said Winslow gave it to her, and the other said she pledged it for £4 to raise money for Winslow, and at his request. Thos. Winslow was then examined. 1.1,....17s I .... true executor male prat of Anne J miles under the probate; on Monday I got the gold hunting watch, and in the evening of Wednesday the prisoner Margaret tore it eut of my pocket against my will. M Lightfoot cross-examined the witness, and he admitt that she acted as his wife, although they are not. married. He did not give her the watch ; pays her no wages. She gave the watch to another man. To Mr. Cobb he said : I did not give them any authority to pledge the watch. For the defence, Patrick Molloy was called, and said—l was in the house on Wednesday last ; the mother of the prisoners had been there for seven weeks, and they wanted to send her home. Winslow gave Margaret the watch to pledge, to raise money for that purpose. Mr. Cobb—On your oath, which of the ladies is your sweetheart ?—Neither. Mr. Cobb : Don't you live with one of them as your wife ? Yes, with Elizabeth.. Mr. Cobb : Did you ever live with the other as your wife, also ?—Never, in my life. Had you not improper freedom with both of them ? No. But you live with one of them as year wife?-Yes. Mr. Raffles : I can't convict in this case, as I cannot rely upon the evidence. I must discharge the prisoners. The prisoner Margaret then said—l did not like to tell all the troth on the trial about the poisoning ; I wish I had, now. The p • prisoners were then dis charged, Mr. scharged, Mr. Raffles remarking that Winslow had been tried and acquitted for the offence,, the woman had no right to make such an observation.