Potter's Electric News

MICHAELMAS QUARTER SESSIONS. WEDNESDAY. The Court assembled to-day at 10 o'clock. The magistrates on the Bench were the Chairman, J. H. Scourfield. Esq, W. Stephenson Owen, Esq, John Harvey, Esq, J. P. Jones, Esq, James Bowen, Esq, J. James, Esq, Sodston O. E. Davies, Esq. Capt. Child, and Rev. J. Philipps. The Grand Jury list having been called over, the Bailiff reported that Mr Brown, of Tdibenny Hall, (who did not answer to his name) told him after service of the summons that he would not come. The Chairman in chargiog the Grand Jury said::— Gentlemen of the Grand Jury,—I very much regret for your sake, and for the sake of the petty jury, and least perhaps for my own, that the calendar presents so heavy an appearance on the present occasion. I am not aware of anything in the nature of the offences that is peculiar, or that they are of a character which indicates any general deterioration in the good con- duct of the county. A great number of the cases come from the same direction-from the same place: they are nearly all of the same character, and as to the difficulties of them they are really very trifling so far as the grand Jury are concerned. The same observations will apply to all of them-that where one person loses property, and that property is found in the possession of another party, it is for that party to account for the possession of it: and if no reasonable account be given, the Grand Jury can have very little doubt as to the propriety of finding a true bill. There is so much to do on the present occasion that I am most anxious not to waste one minute of your time, but I cannot help observing that when a large amount of business is to be done it is of the utmost im- portance-of paramount importance—that a sufficient number of Jurymen should be present to transact the business of the county. On the present occasion only 15 have been summoned: and casualties, acci- dents, illness, and absence from the county may prevent such a number coming as to make up the Jury to the proper amount. It is desirable that the full number should be summoned-the full number being 23, which would leave ample margin for any accident, or illness, which might prevent the attend ance of jurymen. On the present occasion, I am informed—I have not had it properly before me-that one of the jurymen declined to come. If that be proved in the proper way, he has rendered himself liable to a fine, which the Court will enforce. It is very unfair that the Court should be kept waiting for a long time by other persons, in conseqnence of being unable to form a competent number of jurymen for the transaction of the business of the county. The negligence, or wilful misconduct of one or two might keep 30 or 40 people waiting and inconvenience the Court, without reference to the very much more important question—the due administration of justice. The Chairman dismissed the jury to their duties, requesting them to consider first those bills which required the least investigation, in order that the Court might at once proceed to business. A true bill having been returned, the Court pro- ceeded with the TRIAL OF PRISONERS, of whom there were 13, charged with various offences. STEALING TOWELS, &C. 7Elizabeth Lhwellin, 64, widow, was charged with stealing 3 towels, one pillow case, 1 piece of em- broidery, 3 handkerchiefs, 1 towel, 1 pinafore, 3 other pieces of embroidery, a quantity of gimp trim- ming, 1 piece of muslin, 1 sheet, and a piece of a sheet, the property of George Henry Ayling, at St. Mary's, in the Borough of Pembroke. The prisoner pleaded not guilty. Mr VWBson (instructed by Mr Hulm) appeared for the prosecution and Mr Lascelles (instructed by Mr Price) for the defence. Mr Wilson having opened the case, Emily Steward Ayling deposed: I am the wife of George Henry Ayling. I reside ot Bush-street, Pem- broke Dock. I have known the prisoner four years and a half. She has been at my house various times. She slept there occasionally. She came to attend me as a nurse: at another time, when I was ill, and she used to call and stay a day. I have missed articles up to the time the prisoner left. I gave the prisoner no authority to take any of the things I have missed. [The witness enumerated the articles she had lost.] Cross-examined: The prisoner was in my employ for weeks at a time at first, but not latterly. I believe I paid her 7s 6d a week for a time at first: and I merely gave her her board for a time when I was ill. I have always paid her what I owed her in money. I bought grocery for her, for which she paid me. I always found her very honest. There were other ¡ servants there when she was employed there. I never gave her anything instead of payment. The paper produced is in my handwriting but the things mentioned were not given instead of payment. The book I purchased for her. The amount is jEl 19s 6d, including 4s left due-to her. The £1 19s 6d is for articles I sold her and purchased for her at the shop. I bought tie hymn-book for her. I did not give her old things in part payment of her wages. My family consists of myself, my husband, and one servant. By the Bench I do not keep a shop. I went to the shop and bought the articles, and she paid for them by instalments. By Mr Lascelles: The three pair of drawers I sold her. They were mine. [P.S. Irving produced the articles, which were identified by the witness.] Re-examined The transaction about the bill took place, I think, in 1865. There is nothing in the bill which I charge her with stealing. By Mr Lascelles I have bought many things for the prisoner, and when I did so I gave her an account. P.S. Irving: I am stationed at Pembroke. I searched the prisoner's house last Friday afternoon. I did so by a warrant in another case. I found the articles in a box which was opened by the prisoner. I found the new towel between two beds. Cross-examined: She did not throw any impediment in the way of my searching. This was the case for the prosecution. Mr Lascelles addressed the Jury in behalf of the prisoner. The Chairman summed up the evidence. The Jury retired, and after a brief absence, returned into court with a verdict of not guilty. The same prisoner was then charged with stealing four diaper cloths, one other diaper cloth, one pillow case, one pocket handkerchief, and one sheet, the property of Henry Edward Glass, at St. Mary's in the borough of Pembroke. Z, The prisoner pleaded not guilty. Mr Wilson (instructed by Mr Hulm) prose- cuted: Mr Lascelles (instructed by Mr J. Price) defended. Anna Evans Glass: I am the wife of Captain H. E. Glass of the 37th regt. Since my husband was examined before the magistrates he has been ordered off. I know the prisoner quite well. She came to me on the 3rd of August as nurse. On the morning she left I missed some cloths. They have my illitials I A. E. G.' The pillow -case has a mark-' C. V. Bridgeman, '-my maiden name. I never gave the prisoner any articles of that sort. I have given her presents. I never gave her the pillow case, or the cloth. Cross-examined: She came into my service on the 3rd of August, She was with me from the 3rd of August till the 11th of October. I was not ex- amined before the magistrates. Win. Banks I am a soldier in the *?7th regt., and a-servant to Capt Glass. He is gone to Ports- mouth: he has been ordered away. fi know the prisoner at the bar. She was at \Capt. Glass's since the 3rd of August last. The cloth bears the mauk A. E. G it belongs to Captain Glass. P. Sergt. Irving:: ? searched the prisoner's bouse on Friday afternoon last. I found the towel I produce and also tihepillow case—those sworn to by tMrs Glass. This towel was in a trunk which was locked. It was opened by the prisoner, and she took out the towel and put it in her breast. I made her take it out. Cross-examined I was thereon other business and found the things by accident. I had no charge against her at the time from Captain Glass. This was the case for the prosecution. Mr Lascelles ably addressed the Jury in the pri- soner's behalf, after which the Chairman summed up.' The Jury found the prisoner not guilty. Mary Ann Llewhellin, .22, was charged with stealing one large pair of boots, one small pair of boots, two pieces of black lace, one lace square, three pieces of bonnet ribbon, one black Ostrich feather, one piece of stamped muslin insertion, one piece of muslin edging, one broach, one locket, and one boddice, the property of John Christian Lewis, at St Mary's, in the Borough of Pembroke. The prisoner pleaded not guilty. Mr Lascelles (instructed by Mr Hulm) prose- cuted the prisoner was not defended. John Christian Lewis: The prisoner was in my service from the 19th to the 26th of last Sep- tember. The articles produced are my property. I had the articles in my possession before she left my service. When she left I obtained a search warrant. I was present when it was executed. Sergeant Irving executed it. 1 identified the things as my property when they were found. The mus- lin was found in the midst of a feather bed with other articles produced. I never sold or gave any of the articles to the prisoner. The boots were made by myself. By the Bench I can't swear that I did not sell the boots to anybody. Elizabeth Esther Lewis: lam the wife of the prosecutor. The prisoner was in my employ in September. I missed some of the articles before she left my house. Those produced are my pro- perty. I did not give her any articles whatever. The broach is my daughter's. The locket was taken from my stock. 1 have others like them. All the articles were open, and the prisoner could have access to them. Most of them were taken from a drawer. The boots were not sold to any person. The boddice has my maiden name on it: —E. E. Bellamy. By the Bench I may have sold a similar broach to some person at Pembroke-dock. The ribbons have no mark upon them. Anna Maria Lewis I am the daughter of the last witness. I never gave the prisoner any of the articles or sold them to her. Cross-examined: You did not purchase any boots of me on a Saturday. You did not give me a shilling. 0 By the Bench I lent the prisoner 3d and she paid me back. P. Sergt. Irving: I executed the warrant. I found the articles produced as described by the prosecutor. This was the case for the prosecution. The Prisoner said I bought the boots of the witness A. M. Lewis on the Saturday, and she gave them to rce at the door as I was going home. Benjamin Williams: I have known the prisoner this 20 years. This is the first time I ever heard anything against her or her family. The prosecutor recalled by the prisoner, said I heard that the prisoner was light-fingered before she came to my house, but I did not believe it. I never knew anything against her. P. Sergeant Irving deposed that he had known the prisoner for nine years, and that he had never heard anything against her character. The Chairman having summed up the evidence, the Jury retired, and after being in consultation a short time, found a verdict of not guilty, saying 11 Z, they felt a doubt in the case, and they gave the prisoner the benefit of it. CHARGE OF STEALING CHEESE. Oiven Lewis was charged with breaking and entering the warehouse of Margaret George, and stealing four cheeses, the property of the said Margaret George at Narberth, on or about the 27th July, 1867. The prisoner pleaded not guilty. Mr Wilson (instructed by Mr Martin, of Nar- berth) prosecuted Mr Lascelles (instructed by Mr W. John), defended. Owen Howell: I am a son-in-law of Margaret George. She keeps a cheese warehouse at Nar- berth. I used to keep the key of it. I missed some cheeses I reckoned them first on Friday the 26th of July and next on the following Tuesday. There were 31 on Friday, and 23 on Tuesday. Mrs George took four to Tenby and four were lost. Cross-examined I had the key at the time the cheese were missed. I was examined before the magistrates. My mother-in-law had the key from me to go to the store: she told me she had lost four. I had the key from her on Saturday morning. I have known the prisoner all my life I never heard anything against him. By the Bench: I went to Tenby with Mrs George: I did not notice the cheese; she had more besides the four cheeses. Margaret George I live in Llandewi parish T have a storeloft for cheese at Narberth. I missed some cheeses; and I marked the rest on the 25th of July. I counted them that day, and again on the following Saturday. I took four and left 27. I lost four between Saturday morning and Tuesday morning. I went to Tenby on the Saturday fol- lowing the Tuesday I missed the cheese. I went to Tenby market. I found a piece of my own cheese with Eliza Lloyd. It was marked with my mark in red lead. The cheese produced is the piece: it is part of one I lost. I took it away, and gave it to Sergt Irving. Z, Cross-examined: I go to Tenby with cheese re- gularly. I never marked cheese before I began to miss them. By a Juror: The mark is made with red lead, and not Spanish brown. It was sold to me by Mr Nicholas as red lead. Re-examined I never saw people mark Welsh cheese. Eliza, Lloyd: I live at Course Hill, near Temple- *0n'm eP a f°r the sale of cheese and butter at Tenby market. The prisoner came to' me on Thursday, the 1st of August. He met me in the street, and asked me if I wanted old cheese. 1 bought two cheeses of him. The cheese produced is part of what I bought. He told me he bought four cheese at Blackalder sale; that he was short of money, and wanted to sell two of them. I took the cheese to Pdter the next day. I sold one and a half there. The other half I brought to Tenby next day. I sold it all except 3i lbs, which was left onmy 4 standing when Mrs George came. She took the cheese and said it was hers. Cross-examined: The prisoner told me that he bought is at Blackalder sale. I am sure of it or I would not swear to it. He did not tell me he bought it of a person who bought it at Blackalder. The sale was by Mr Phillips' (the ginshop) door. I don't remember the persons to whom I sold the cheese they were strangers to me. I did not have any butter in exchange for cheese. No cheese was returned to mp before I left Pater. All I sold I had money for, and no cheese was returned to me. By the Bench I gave 2d a pound for the cheese 10s for 601bs. John Phillips I am a spirit dealer at Narberth. The cheese was sent in from Blackalder to my place to be sold by auction. I received the money. I know the prisoner he bought nocheese at that sale.11 Re-examined There was no sale at Blackalder. The cheese was sent in. The names of the pur- chasers were put in a book it is in the handwriting of the auctioneer. I know the prisoner. I never heard anything against the prisoner till now. Sergeant Edward Irving: I produce some cheese which I received from Mrs George. Cross-examined I have been at Narberth seven years. I never heard anything against the prisoner. This was the case for the prosecution. Mr Lascelles addressed the jury in behalf of the prisoner. Thomas Beynon I have known the prisoner for twenty-five years. I never heard the least thing against him. — Mill: I have known the prisoner thirty years. I know no blemish against his character. The Chairman summed up the evidence. The jury acquitted the prisoner. SHEEP STEALING. Thomas Williams was charged with stealing 1 sheep of the value of lis, the property of Benjamin James, at Llangolman, on the 22nd of Sept, 1867. The prisoner pleaded guilty. The same prisoner was also charged with stealing a sheep, the property of Margaret Davies. He pleaded guilty to this charge also. W m Gibby, called by the prisoner, deposed: I live at Plasymeibon. I have known the prisoner since he was a child. I never heard anything against the prisoner. Rev L. Davies I live in the parish of Henry's Moat. I have known the prisoner for twenty years his character has been honest, upright, and sober. Elias Phillips and'David Phillips gave the prisoner a good character. Mr Lascelles, on the part of the prosecution, re- commended the prisoner to mercy. The Chairman, in passing sentence, said: Thomas Williams- Y ou have pleaded guilty to two charges, two separate indictments of stealing two sheep. It is my duty to tell you that not a great number of years have passed away since the law of the country was such that you would have been liable to have lost your life for the offence to which you have pleaded guilty and the fact of your having stolen these two sheep—two separate trans- actions-had you been found guilty of one and an interval elapsed and you found guilty of the other, and there had been time to prove the previous con- viction, you would have been subjected, without possibility of any interposition on the part of the Court, to penal servitude. On this occasion, it is necessary to mark the extreme gravity of the offence, and also to warn all persons of the great risk to which they expose themselves if they are ever in- duced by any temptation to commit this very serious offence, which strikes really at the root of a great .deal of the prosperity of this or any other country. The sentence of the Court is that upon the first indictment you be confined in the House of Correction and kept to hard labour for twelve months; and that at the expiration of that time, for the second indictment you be confined in the Honse of Correc- tion and kept to hard labour for the further period of twelve months. HOUSE BREAKING. James Scott, 18, sailor, and Lewis Wilson, 18, labourer, were charged with breaking and entering the dwelling house of Thomas Prout, and stealing 1 blue cloth monkey jacket, and 3 silk handkerchiefs, together of the value of £1 18s, the property of the said Thos. Prout, of Amroth,on the 18th of May, 1867. The prisoner pleaded not guilty. Mr Lascelles prosecuted the prisoners were not defended. Evidence was adduced to prove that the premises of the prosecutor were forcibly entered during his absence, and the articles mentioned in the indict- ment stolen. The prisoners were seen near the house at the time of the robbery, and the day afterwards P.C. Saer, stationed at St Clears, apprehended the prisoners and found the articles upon them. One of the prisoners, in his defence, said he knew nothing of the robbery, and the other stated that he bought the articles of two sailors. The jury found the prisoners guilty. The Chairman, in passing sentence, said: James Scott and Lewis Wilson-You have been convicted upon perfectly clear evidence of a very serious of- fence, and from all I can gather respecting you, I am afraid it is not the first time. Your case is one which really indicates a confirmed habit of depreda- tion, and I should not do justice to the country and society, if I did not visit it with some punishment which would prove effectual. There is no use what- f ever in keeping you here,and the sentence of the Court [ is that you be sent to penal servitude for five years. Wilson Thank you, sir. Scott: I am very much obliged to you. STEALING BANK OF ENGLAND NOTES. George Neagle, 21, soldier, and\Frederic Trill, 25, sol- dier, were charged with stealing six five-pound Bank of England Notes, value £30, the property of Fitzmaurice Townshend, at Penally, on the 21st of August, 1867. Mr Wilson prosecuted, and Mr Lascelles, (instructed by Mr Price) defended. Mr Lascelles applied to the Court to hear the cases against the prisoners separately. The Court granted the application, and the case against Neagle was first taken. Fitzmaurice Townshend: I am an Ensign in the 9th regiment. I am quartered at Penally. On the 21st of August I went to a ball at Pembroke. I left in a drawer at my quarters at the Barracks five Bank of Eng- land Notes and a sovereign. I had received some from Dr White, and the remainder from Lieut Whitten. I recollect the latter figures of the notes I had from Dr White: they ranged from 495 to 500. I got back at four o clock in the morning the notes were gone. I went to the Barracks and found Neagle was absent. He was my servant. The drawer was not the least damaged. The prisoner came back about eleven o'clock in the morning. I asked him if he knew anything of the rob- bery. I don't know what he said exactly; but I think he said 'No.' I went to Mr Stone's, and found two notes there. The notes produced are the ones. Cross-examined I had the notes from Mr Stone. I don't think one of the notes was endorsed before I lost it. The door of my quarter? was on the latch. Prisoner was absent without leave: he had a pass till twelve o'clock. The door of the room opens into a short pas- sage. It is my belief that the drawer was locked. I turned the koy in the drawer, and I believed it was locked. I did not try the drawer after it was locked. There were two keys to the drawer one was kept in the drawer. The second key was not in it: I looked for it, and found it in the drawer from which the money had been taken. I bad the money from Dr White on the 10th of August, I believe. On the evening of the ball, I had the drawer opened, and I saw there two notes the three last figures of which agree with the notes pro- duced. There were two other officers in the room, and they each had a servant. The prisoner called my atten- tion to the fact of another key opening the drawer. I consider that auspicious: what business had he to try my drawer ? E. A. Hawker: I am paymaster of the battalion At Pembroke Dock. On the 10th of August, I gave Oil five-pound Bank of England notes to Dr White to hand over to Mr Townshend at Penally. The numbers wer" from 22,495 to 22,500. The notes produced are two o! the notes. Elizabeth Williams: My father keeps the Prince Wales public house at Tenby. On the 24th of August the prisoner came to our house at half past ten in the evening. He asked for change for a five-pound note, and to give him a glass of wine. I gave it to mamms. I don't know the note. It was a Bank of England note. My mamma gave the note to a servant to take out and change. Cross-examined: I am sure the prisoner came The note was not in my possession a minute I gave it to mamma. The servant brought the change to mamms, and it was placed on the counter. There was no one pre' sent at the time. I ara quite suie the prisoner the note. Mamma is here. Emma Williams. I am the wife of Mr Williams, "j the Prince of Wales. A man came there on the 24th of August to change a five-pound note. I am not positive but I think the prisoner is the man. I tent my serviot to get change. I should not know the note if I saw it again it was a Bank of England note. Margaret Powell: I am a servant at the Prince Of Wales, Tenby. On the 24th of August the prisonercaIlle and asked for change for a five-pound note. I went to Mr George Stone for change he changed it. I gave the change to Mrs Williams. She counted it, and gave it to the man, and asked him to count it. Cross-examined. I don't suppose there was a great number in there drinking that night. Georee Stone was called, but he did not answer. Mr Wilson stated that Stone, who was a most im-por, tant witness, had gone to Paris. He moved that his recognizances be estreated. The Chairman said the absence of Mr Stone brJkí down the case. There -was no proof of the identity Of the notes. The Jury, under the direction of the Chairman, found the prisoner not guilty. The prisoner was discharged. The recognizances of George Stone were ordered to be estreated. In the case against Fredcric Trill, Mr Wilson said be felt he could not prove the identity of the note, and be purposed offering no evidence. The Jury, under the direction of the Court, found 6 verdict of not guilty, and the prisoner was discharged. STEALING WEAItlXG- ATPAHEL. William Marriott, 2d, soldier, was charged with steal' ing one black cloth jacket, one waistcoat, one pair trousers, one hat, and one neck collar, toother value of £4, the property of William Smith, of Pwllcrochan, 011 the 10th of September, 1867. The prisoner pleaded guilty. Mr Lascelles prosecuted. The prisoner was charged with having been previously convicted at Birkenhead in Chester. The prisoner pleaded not guilty, saying that he fla' a soldier at the time. A Jury was then sworn to try the second charge. Mr Lascelles put in a certificate from the Depul1 Clerk ot the Peace for Chester, to the effect that Will'81? Marriott was ordered to bo imprisoned for one mo0' for stealing. Samuel Powell: I am Bridewell Keeper at BirkenheS"' The prisoner is the person who underwent of one month..« The prisoner said if the case was postponed, he c°l? i prove that he was a soldier at the time. He n guilty to the first charge, and gave all the inforroatlå, he could to get the articles back. He would have a mitted the second charge, if it were true. The jury found the prisoner not guilty. The Chairman ordered the prisoner to be confine^ the House of Correction for twelve months, and kept « hard labour. HOU3E KITEATCrNG. Thomas Oliver, alias Brookes, 32, musician vr-4t charged with breaking and entering the dwelling-house of George Edwards, and stealing one guernsey shirt) cravat, and one waistcoat, the property of the George Edwards, at St. Mary's, in the Borough broke, on the 28th August, 1807. 1 In reply to the charge, the prisoner said Absolute; not guilty. Being asked if he objected to any of the jury, he said: 'Not in the least: get it over at onoe, and be done with it.' Mr Lascelles prosecuted. Mary Ann Edwards: I am the wife of George & wards, and live at Ferry House. On the 28th of gust, I left home. The house was bolted inside, aI? windows were shut. The waistcoat produced wasio house when I left. I went away a little after eight, returned between five and six o'clock. The other 8 tides were in the house when I left: they were D there when I returned. I saw the prisoner in our hall the night before he offered some boots for sale. ( George Griffiths I live at Bush. In consequence what I heard, I went down to Edward's house, looked in at the window. I saw the prisoner puttinf? a shirt. I asked him what he was doing there: and. told me he was a lodger. He came out through the fl dow. I followed him to Pembroke dock, and poio'6 him out to a policeman. Richard Davies I saw the prisoner at Biers' P°0^°J the 28 th of August. He offered me the waistcoat produ0 for 6d. I gave 4fd for it. I gave it to Sergt. ll"Yip¡j'J!I P. Sergeant Robert Irving I had the waistcoat fro the last witness. It was identified by the prosecuto*' P. C. Griffiths deposed to apprehonding the priso°e' and to finding two of the ariieles produced on him. The Chairman summed up the evidence, and the J" found the prisoner guilty. ell The prisoner was tben charged with having bet previously convicted at the Shire Hall, Haverford\fes' He pleaded guilty to the charge. The prisoner was then further charged with woufl Thomas Watkins with a brick, at the Pembroke Cot1 Prisons, on the 1st of October, 1867. The prisoner pleaded not guilty. Mr Lascelles stated that after the previous conviO1 he did not think it necessary to proceed with the prefl charge. ,j,j No evidence was offered, and the Jury prisoner of this charge. 0; The Chairman, in sentencing the prisoner. 8 fl8t Thomas Oliver—You have been found guilty on g conclusive evidence, of the serious offence of bres into the house of Mr George Edwards, and stealIng orf property, which offence alone subjects you to a$ serious punishment. The seriousness of your 0 e0p' is very much aggravated by the fact of a vi«tion having been proved against you, which #fl0 ■Ljjfc you to a very heavy and much increased punif^^oi The Court would not satisfy the demands ot justice if it do its duty to society and the country at large, The did not pass upon you a sentence of some severity- t'li' sentence of the Court is that you be sent to penal se tude for seven years. eS' The prisoner left the dock, using some very filtbY pressions. tyg The Grand Jury returned No Bill in the cases — Thomas Fortune, 20, labourer, charged stealing the sum of £ 3 7s, the property of JamcS 0f wood, his master, at St. Michael's iu the bor°u» Pembroke, on the 24th of April, 1867. ,1a ft0 Benjamin Griffiths charged with stealing a (JjC property of Elizabeth Yardley, at Whitechurcb, 00 25th of September, 1867. ø at Maria Morgan, 22, charged with stealing the s\1 tho £ 20 and one £ 5 Bank note, the property and o" person of John Thomas, at the parish of U^n188 the 15th of July, 1867. In this case the ProS.z9jiC0* John Thomas, did not appear, and his recog01 were ordered to be estreated. it t&' This concluded the business of the court, and journed till Saturday fortnight. ——— orie,0f Printed and Published, on behalf of the Pr0p by JOSEPH POTTER, at the Office in High-8tr^ the Parish of Saint Mary, in tho County Town of Havertordwest. Wednesday, October 23, 1807.