The Express. — 1848-08-22 (London, England)

PRIMON-DRRAKEtt.—A. Worralt (aged 20), J. Sind (21), 1. Jackson (22), and Catherine Gibson (19), were indicted for having at Salf..ird burglariously broken and entered the shop of Joseph Crossley, and stolen 61. bs., all in copper. The prisoner Worrell plear.ed guiliy. There is a story connected with his imprisonment which may be here repeated. Afraid, it appears, of transportation for the offence, he attempted when in Kirkdale gaol to commit suicide by cutting his throat. Failing in his obi ect, be resolved to effect, if passible, his escape from gaol, and this he effected in the most ingenious manner. Tearing off a ventilationplate, he used it to remove the grated bars of the window of hie cell. As the clock was striking 11, on the night selected, he accompanied each stroke with • blow at the bars, fearful that Yie noise would otherwise attract the attention of the turnkeys. He failed at that time in his endeavour, but repeated the operation as the clock was striking twelve, and to hisown astonishment two of the bars gave way. He then tore his hammock into strips, and by the aid of this descended into the gaol yard. He eventually succeeded in clearing the outer wail, and, after several hairbreadth escapee, reached Manchester. There he was apprehended, or gave himself up, a week or two subsequently, and an extra watch was, of course, placed on him on his being consigned to his old quarters in the gaol. Notwithstanding all precautions, however, he last week again effected his escape and was re-captured as yesterday reported in this paper. The burglary in question it appeared had been effected on the night of Thurs. day, the 26th of May last, in the shop of Mr. Joseph Crossley, Bank-parade, Manchester. The shop is a sort of addi tion recently made in front of Mr. Crosaley's house, has a fiat roof, and is but one story in height. The strip was locked up and festered as usual on the night of the 25th ; neat morning, on the shop Leing opened, a little after six o'clock, it was discovered that the shop had been forced, and the quantity of copper (made up in paper packagei) had been carried away. Entrance hsd been effected by removing two panes out of • skylight. A door had been broken open for the purpose of exit. The evidence against the prisoners was of a somewhat unusual character.—The chief witness was an intimate of the prisoner Strut, who stated that on the evening before the robbery was mmmitted he met the prisoners in Peel park. Strut told him he had "a good job ripe," and proposed to him to join in the robbery of Mr. Croseley's house. He refused. They adjourned together to • public.house in the neighbourhood of the Bank-parade, and he continued with them till nearly 12 o'clock at night. Then wines went home, but not till he had wat bed the prisoners effect an entrance into the prosecutor's shop. A waiter from the publichouse proved that all the prisoners were press rit together at the time alleged. Mr. Allen, • neighbour of Mr. Crossley. hearring a noise a little after 12 o'clock on the night in question, put his head out of the window, and obterved a woman, resembling the female prisoner, and a man looking up attentively to the roof of Mr. Crossley's shop. When the prisoners were in examination before the magistrates, and Mr. Allen was giving his evidence, Strut said to Jackson, in an under tone, " Did thou see them look," to which Jackson replied in the affirmative.—The jury, after a short consult ,tion, returned a verdict of Guilty against Worrell, Strut, and Jackson, acquitting the female Gibson. It was proved that Jack. son had been twice, and Strut four times previously convicted. Worrell and Jackson were sentenced to ten years', and Strut to fourteen years' transportation.