Carlisle Patriot, 16 Jul 1825 - Cumberland County Sessions (9)

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Saturday 16 Jul 1825   (p. 2, col. 5-6 and p. 3, col. 1-5)

 

COUNTY SESSIONS.

 

[continued]

 

BROTHEL ROBBERY.

 

Anne BURNS, singlewoman, late of Whitehaven, was arraigned on a charge of stealing from the person of Daniel M'TAGGART, two guineas in gold, and two half-crowns.

 

Mr. COURTENAY conducted the prosecution. M'TAGGART, he said, landed at Whitehaven late at night, on his way to the Abbey-Holm, and getting into the prisoner's house, fell asleep, and was robbed by her. He would call a witness who would prove the whole transaction from her own mouth.

 

M'TAGGART deposed that he landed at Whitehaven, as stated, on the 25th of June, and was taken to the prisoner's residence by one John M'QUIN. When he entered it, he had in his pocket two sovereigns, three guineas, and four half-crowns. Not having had any sleep for two nights, he lay down in his clothes, and slept soundly, but was awakened by the prisoner putting her hand into his pocket, and he heard money jingle either in her hand or in his pocket. The prisoner ran off down stairs, and witness followed; but she got away; she returned, however, in about ten minutes, and on being charged with the robbery, swore "with a great big oath," that she had none of his money. She was apprehended and sent to the house of correction.

 

Margaret STANLEY called.—I was in the house of correction before the 26th of June for an assault upon a woman. The prisoner was brought thither: and there came three or four men; and she pointed out M'TAGGART to me as the fellow from whom she had taken the money. She said he knocked at her door late at night, came in and lay upon the bed in his clothes; that she went to bed to him, put one hand under his neck, and the other into his pocket three times. The first time she took out half a crown; the second time, a guinea; the third time, another guinea. I replied, I am astonished that you left any thing behind. She answered that she could not get any more because he had a round bottle in his pocket. She then went on to tell me how she had got the money off. First she put it into her hair, and afterwards pinned it inside the clothes of her child, and sent her to the house of a neighbour to remain till the affair was over.

 

The prisoner, on being asked if she had any questions to put to the witness, said (with a broad Scotch accent), she thought she might have told what she pleased in the house of correction, for she understood that one prisoner could not swear against another.

 

The Keeper of the Whitehaven house of correction produced the stolen money,—which he had obtained of the prisoner's daughter, a child about eight or nine years old. (It was returned to M'TAGGART.)

 

The prisoner, in her defence, told a story that criminated her, in a certain degree, though she denied the theft. She said that when M'TAGGART came to her house, he offered her 6d. for a sleep, but that she refused him: notwithstanding which he threw himself on the bed. He told her that he at one time worked in Saltom coal-pit, but that he and another had a bit of a boat, and had just landed from the Isle of Man a great many gallons of gin, all of which he had disposed of. She never touched a penny of his money.

 

Verdict: Guilty. Twelve months' imprisonment and hard labour.

 

Against Susannah MILLS, charged with uttering counterfeit money at Keswick, on the 6th June, there was no prosecution, and she was discharged.

 

A man named RAINE, against whom a true Bill had been found for an assault, was brought up on Thursday morning, and pleaded not guilty, and stood committed till he could find bail, to give the prosecutor 24 hours notice. The nature of the case did not appear, but RAINE said: "It is very hard that those people should watch me from place to place, and then quarrel with me. On a Sunday morning, they kept my hands in my pockets and beat me. I blame the men—not at all."

 

The Grand Jury were discharged on Wednesday afternoon. Some road and bridge and assault indictments were found; but a great many cross bills of the latter description were thrown out. The public business ended on Thursday between eleven and twelve.