[list-cumbria] Carlisle Patriot, 20 Mar 1824 - Northumberland Assizes

[Petra Mitchinson]

Saturday 20 Mar 1824   (p. 4, col. 5-6)

 

NORTHUMBERLAND ASSIZES.—Charles BURKE and Richard ARMSTRONG (better known as "Dick o' the Hole,") were charged with breaking into
the shop of Mr. LITTLE, of Hexham, Northumberland, on the night of the 29th of November, 1823, and stealing a great quantity of
linen and woollen drapery goods, to the value of £120. Mr. LOSH called Mr. Joseph LITTLE, who deposed that his father keeps a shop
in Hexham; that on the 29th of Nov. he locked up the shop at the usual time, and made it secure. On the Monday following, the shop
was opened by his brother, who discovered that it had been robbed of the articles specified in the indictment. John LITTLE, another
son, on going to the shop on Monday morning, found the locks open, but the door shut. The shop was in a very confused state, and a
great quantity of goods missing. Richard TAYLOR saw 3 men on the military road (from Newcastle to Carlisle) about 8 o'clock in the
morning on Sunday, the 30th. Knew two of them, the prisoners at the bar. BURKE had a strap in his hand, and the other two were laden
with large packs, from one of which broad cloth was sticking out. They came on the road as if from Henshaw, and were proceeding
towards the Peel Crag; but ARMSTRONG and another took across the fields. Witness afterwards accompanied Mr. AUBURN's son to the
crag, where they found four picklocks, which were given to PORTEOUS (since dead) the landlord of an adjoining public house. Wm.
NIXON was in company with last witness at 8 in the morning; the prisoners at the bar were two of the men they saw; knew ARMSTRONG;
they took off the road towards Winship's Crag. Witness left TAYLOR, but saw the prisoners afterwards going in the direction of
Winship's Crag. About nine he again saw BURKE coming from a plantation, and go into a public house. Accompanied TAYLOR and MOOR to
the Crag, and discovered the goods concealed there: they were the same packages they had previously seen in the possession of the
prisoners. Took the goods to the public house, and afterwards went with TAYLOR, &c. to the Peel Crag, where they found the
picklocks. George MOOR corroborated the testimony of TAYLOR and NIXON. Elizabeth BELL is a servant at a public house called
Twice-brewed Ale (on the military road, 32 miles from Newcastle, and 12 or 14 from Hexham, across the country); recollects the
packages being brought there, and given to Richard THOMPSON, the constable. Mr. George AUBURN has a farm in the neighbourhood of
Twice-brewed Ale; on the morning of the 30th saw BURKE in one of his fields, coming from the top of the Crag, in the direction were
[sic] the goods were found; he appeared to saunter much, and purposely avoid witness: he had a leather strap in his hand. Mr. A.
however, waited till he came up, and said 'good morning,' but the prisoner made no answer. BURKE then went to ROBSON's public house.
There was no road in the field where he had seen BURKE. Shortly after he saw another man in the same direction; he also avoided
witness; but on witness going up, he found it was ARMSTRONG, who asked him if he had seen any cattle that morning; he afterwards
sauntered down towards the public house. Witness saw a third man, but did not come up to him. Mr. A. afterwards got his telescope,
went to the Crag, and saw BURKE and ARMSTRONG on the military road; they turned up the lane leading to Scott's COLTHERD; witness
followed, and with his glass saw them consulting; they afterwards went away; and he desired his son, who had accompanied him, to
mark the place. On ascertaining that the goods had been found, Mr. A. went in pursuit, and having come up to the prisoners, told
them if they "did not give satisfaction," they would be apprehended. They denied all knowledge of the goods. He then took hold of
BURKE, when ARMSTRONG interfered, and produced a knife to defend them; but assistance being had, witness took them into custody. On
cross-examination, he said he was not a constable, nor had he a warrant, yet thought himself justified in detaining them. His
Lordship said his conduct was perfectly correct. Mr. AUBURN's son corroborated the testimony of TAYLOR as to finding the picklocks.
Thomas FIDDLER, a farmer, at Sawpit Hill, stated that the prisoners and another man came to his house on the evening of the 28th of
November, and requested to stop all night; they did so; BURKE and ARMSTRONG did not leave till half an hour after the other man, the
following morning. Mary ROBSON keeps Twice-brewed Ale public house. On the 30th Nov. about nine in the morning, BURKE came to her
house, and was shortly afterwards joined by ARMSTRONG; they had some bread and ale; they said they had lambs on the common, and a
man watching them. Witness told them, if known, it would not be allowed. They said they knew that. They seemed much fatigued.
Richard THOMPSON, a constable, was sent to take the prisoners. On searching BURKE, he found upwards of £5 in silver, a knife, key,
file, scissors, &c. ARMSTRONG had about £2 in silver. Witness also got the goods. Three large packages of goods were produced, and
Mr. LITTLE swore to the private marks on them, many in his own writing. The knife, key, &c. were also produced. Mr. LITTLE also
deposed that about £5 in silver was stolen. The prisoners being told this was the time for them to make their defence. ARMSTRONG
said "I am innocent." BURKE then stepped forward with much confidence, and said, "My lord, and gentlemen of the jury, I trust that
you are perfectly satisfied of my innocence." Judge BAYLEY summed up with much precision, commented as he read the evidence, and
extolled the conduct of Mr. AUBURN, in acting with such energy in the apprehension of the prisoners. The jury returned a verdict of
Guilty.—His Lordship passed sentence of death on the culprits, and said he should make inquiries as to their past lives, before he
could think of commuting the punishment; but before he left Newcastle, he ordered them to be transported for life. They are bad
characters. Our readers are aware that they were concerned in robbing Mr. SAUL's warehouse, in this City, in conjunction with
PARKER, sentenced at our assizes to only two years imprisonment, though not long since returned from transportation. He now seems
very contrite; and we hope will make amends by his future conduct for past errors. 

 

 

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