|
South Eastern Gazette Gazette, 6 December 1853.
CITY PETTY SESSIONS.
Wednesday. (Before R, Clements, G. G. Burton, E. R. Coles and J. L.
Levy, Esqrs.)
Stealing a Purse.
Sarah Stillinway was charged with stealing a purse, containing £2
15s., the property of Henry Edeny.
The prosecutor stated that he resided at Frindsbury. Between twelve
and one on Sunday morning last he met the prisoner in High-street,
and at her solicitation treated her with some gin at the "Pelican"
public-house, Strood, and afterwards walked with her in the
direction of the baths. Whilst engaged together in conversation
prosecutor felt the prisoner’s hand feeling about his pockets, and
on feeling for his purse found it was gone. Prosecutor at once
challenged the prisoner with having stolen it, and on grasping her
hands found an empty purse in one of her hands and a crown piece in
the other. He then asked her for the rest of the money, but she
denied having taken it, and told prosecutor to take a lucifer match
out of his pocket and look on the ground, as it must have dropped
out of his pocket. Prosecutor, however, could not find it, and gave
the woman into the custody of a police-constable. On returning to
the spot with the officer prosecutor there discovered a sovereign
and three half sovereigns wrapped up in a paper. Witness never saw
the prisoner before.
James Carey, the policeman who apprehended the prisoner, said he
observed the man and woman scuffling with each other, and on
approaching them prosecutor charged the prisoner with having robbed
him, which she denied. Prosecutor insisted that she had, and witness
at once took her into custody, and after instituting a search at the
spot where the parties were standing together found the money as
stated by the last witness.
The prisoner, who denied having seen the purse till at the station
house, was committed for trial.
Mr. Coles said in reference to the above case he wished to make a
few observations to Superintendent Tuff with regard to public-houses
being kept open beyond the legal hours. On a previous occasion the
paltry excuse was returned that the public-house was open to supply
the driver of the night mail cart, and the magistrates then
expressed a decided opinion that it ought not to be allowed. They
now found that a certain public-house was kept open beyond the
proper hours, to the prejudice of other houses. He now wished to ask
why the landlord had not been reported?
Superintendent Tuff said he had not heard of the circumstance till
it came out in evidence that day.
Mr. Coles asked who the officer was that had that beat, on the night
in question?
Superintendent Tuff said that it was Chambers. Every constable had
strict orders given him to inform him of every public-house they
might find open after twelve o'clock on Saturday nights.
Mr. Colea replied, that being the case, how was it Chambers had not
reported the house in question to the Superintendent? He (Mr. C.)
knew nothing of the landlord of the "Pelican," but he did not think
Mr. Tuff ought to notice the complaint.
Chambers, the police-constable, said he passed the "Pelican" on
Sunday morning at a few minutes after twelve, and the mail was then
standing at the door, the driver being inside the house eating some
bread and meat. The last prisoner and prosecutor were also there,
and he went in and turned them out, the landlady saying they wanted
a bed there but she could not let them have one. Every other
public-house was closed, and he thought the mail was permitted to
stop there.
Mr. Coles asked why he had not reported to the superintendent that
the house was open.
Chambers replied that he mentioned it to all the constables on
Sunday night, at the station-house, but Mr. Tuff was not there.
Mr. Coles said it ought to have been told Mr. Tuff. He felt bound to
say that there was great partiality shown by the police-constables
in making their complaints.
Mr. Tuff said all the men had been told that the house was not
allowed to be kept open for the mail.
Chambers said he never heard such an order given, and if given it
must have been done at the time he was on day duty.
Mr. Coles asked Mr. Tuff if he intended to prosecute the landlord?
He had brought the case forward and now left it in his hands.
Mr. Tuff:— I will enquire into it, Sir.
|
)
