Darlington & Richmond Herald. — 1874-01-03 (Darlington, Durham, England)

THE HIGHWAY ROBBERY WITH VIOLENCE AT STOCKTON.  The prisoners, John Henry Pryor and James Caratiine, were brought up before the Stockton Police Court on Monday, on remand, charged with highway robbery with violence on the person of Thomas Morgan, on the 11th December.—Prosecuter had been at a funeral at Portrack, and returned to the house where the deceased had lived, and had some drink, remaining there till ten o'clock. He then went to Patrick Cook's, and while there he took his watch out, and removed the outer case. He laid the case on the seat beside him. After winding the watch up, he put it in his pocket, leaving the case lying, and left the house, intending to cross the ferry to Senth Stockton. Not being well acquainted with the neighbour. ho d, he missed his road, and got out at the end of Portrack-lane. Finding he was out of his proper course, he saw the prislners standing on the road, and asked the road to the ferry. Pryor replied, "We 'll show you the road to the ferry," at the same time taking him by the arm and coat collar, the other man taking hold of him behind, and shoved and dragged him towards Portrack lake, almost exhausting him. On getting near the lake, Pryor snatched his watch and guard out of his pocket, took prosecutor by the arms and legs and threw him into the lake, where he stuck fast for some considerable time before he could move. On getting out, he was so benumbed with cold and exhausted that he sat down for a short time, where he was found by Police-constable Garry, who brought him to the police station, and got him cleaned and dried. He then complained that ho hail been robbed, and gave a description of the men who had !ebbed him. On the following evening the prisoners offered the watch for sale at Mr Headlam's, watchmaker, Stockton, who refused to purchase it, on account of its being without the outer case. They then went down to Hutchinson's public-honse, in Silver-street, where they offered it for sale to a man named MlDonald, who refused to buy it at first. M`Donald left the house and went to the Royal Oak. The prisoners followed him, and again offered it to him, Pryor saying he had to fight a pitched battle, and was short of money. He ultimately gave 103. for it. They then went back to Hutchinson's, and whilst there, M`Donald was showing the watch to Margaret Douthwaite, a servant, who remarked that her fellow-servant could sport her gold watch, but she had none. M.'Donald then said he would make her a present of that one, he had only given 10s. for it. He handed it to her, when she perceived it had no outer case. Carabine then said "Keep it squash about that watch, as it is a stolen one." Mrs Hutchinson, overhearing this, ordered the servant to give the watch up again, which she did. The prisoners shortly after left the house. Next morning M'Donald, suspecting that the watch was stolen, and finding also that his purse had been stolen, sent to Pryor to give him his money back, as they had sold him a stolen watch. On Sunday, Pryor went to him, and asked for the watch back. M‘Donald replied, "I have found out the owner, and am not going to give it up." Pryor then said, "Make away with it ; and if he and you don't keep it square, and they get hold of me, I will get six or seven years. If you keep it square I will give you all the money back, 10s. to-night, and the remainder by instalments." M`Donald had then heard of Morgan being robbed of a watch without the oater case, and took the watch to Cook's. Inspector Harrison having heard of the watch, went into Cook's house at the time when they were looking at the watch, and he took possession of it and fit it in the outer case. The inspector then went after Pryor, and found he had gone to Darlington, and wrote to Supt. Rogers, telling him where he was likely to be found, and he was taken into custody at Darlington, and wag afterwards removed to Stockton. Carabine was apprehended on Friday. The prisoners were then committed to take their trial at Durham Assizes on the charge of highway robbery with violence. It is probable they will be indicted for attempted murder.  The Archbishop of Canterbury has called a meeting of Bishops to be held at Lambeth Palace on Tuesday, the 13th of next month, to consider ,` divers weighty and important matter 3 connected with the Church,"  HORRIBLE MURDER ON CHRIST 3eIAS