The Sun. — 1842-05-10 (London, England)

MARLBORO GH-STREET OBTAINING GOODS BY FALSE PRETENCES.—Sarah Berry a respectable looking middle-aged female, was charged with obtaining goods under false pretences. William Evans, shopman to Messrs. Swan and Edgar, of No. 110, Piccadilly, silk mercers, lacemen, &c., stated, that on Monday last the prisoner came to his employer's shop, and represented that she had been sent by a customer of the firm, Mrs. Thomas, of No. 9, Doverstreet, Piccadilly, dress-maker and milliner, for some blond lace-fringe and other articles, to the amount of 1/. 35., with which she was served, and went away. On the bill being sent in to Mrs. Thomas, she stated that she had not sent for the goods in question, or authorised the prisoner to obtain them in her name. The prisoner had nothing to say in her defence, and was committed to take her trial at the Central Criminal Court. William Lorimer, about fifty years of age, of very gentlemanly appearance, was charged with attempting to commit suicide under the following circumstances : Mr. Joins Wetherall, of No. 2, Dean-street, Oxford treet, coffee-house keeper, stated that about six weeks ago the prisoner came to lodge at his house, and la .d continued to reside there up to the present time. He nad, it appears, come to London from Dunkirk, where his family and his children were now staying, his wife having been out of her mind, and a patient in a lunatic asylum in this country. The purpose of his journey here was to ascertain whether he had a claim to certain estates in Suffolk, left by the late Francis Gosling, Esq., of Norwich. He had possessed considerable property in some coal mines in Monmouthshire, and within 'the last eighteen mouths load lost 12,0001. by the breaking of one of the Welch banks. His supposed claim to the Suffolk estates had, it seems, been submitted to legal consideration, and was found to be untenable. On Sunday evening, about six o'clock, he returned home much the worse for liquor, and ordered some tea to be prepared for him, but before it could be got ready, he fell asleep, and tumbling off his seat, struck himself a violent blow on the head. Witness then assisted him up into his bedroom, and was endeavouring to induce him to go to bed, when he took a penknife out of his waistcoat pocket, and attempted to cut his throat. Witness, however, was just in time to prevent his doing so, and seizing his arm, wrested the knife from him, in doing which the blade was broken. He then asked to go to the window, as he said, he felt faint, and the fresh air would revive him. Witness consented, and kept by the side of him to prevent his throwing himself out, but on reaching the window-seat he snatched up a razor, which witness had not observed lying there, and opening it attempted to draw it across his throat, but witness rushed upon him, and after a desperate struggle, in sshich both his and the prisoner's hands were severely cut, he succeeded in getting possession of the razor, and considering that the prisoner ought to be placed under restraint, he called the police and gave him into custody. The prisoner said he was extremely sorry for what had occurred. Mr. MALTBY inquired if lie had any friends in London ?—The prisoner said not one. His relatives and friends all resided in Monmouthshire and at Norwich. At the latter place was Sir William Forster, of the firm of Foster and Unthank, attorneys, with whom he had been in communication respecting the Suffolk estates. Mr. MALTBY said that the presence of mind and courage of Mr. Wetherall deserved the greatest commendation. It was ultimately arranged that Mr. Wetherall should see Mr. Lorimer provided with a lodging for the night, and in the morning see him embarked for Dunkirk, to which the unfortunate man expressed his willingness.