[list-cumbria] Carlisle Patriot, 28 Aug 1824 - Cumberland Summer Assizes (4)

[petra.mitchinson at doctors.org.uk]

Saturday 28 Aug 1824   (p. 2, col. 3 - p. 4, col. 5)
 
CUMBERLAND SUMMER ASSIZES, 1824. 
 
[continued] 
 
CROWN BAR: MR. BARON HULLOCK. 
 
ROBBERY. 
 
JAMES DAVIDSON was put to the bar, charged on the oath of Thomas MATTHEWS
with forcibly taking from his person, on the 16th of August, in Caldewgate,
a certain quantity of silver coin. 
 
Mr. PATTESON stated the case, and called 
 
Thomas MATTHEWS, the prosecutor.-As witness was returning from Scotland, on
the 16th of August, he went into a public house at Westlinton, where he met
with the prisoner, and they remained about an hour; afterwards they came
along the road towards Carlisle. The prosecutor asked the prisoner to go
into a house at Grimoorhill; but the prisoner said the landlord and he were
not intimate, and refused to go. They then went into a public house about
400 yards below the toll bar, and had some whiskey, for which each paid
sixpence. Prosecutor took out more money than he wanted, and returned the
remainder to his pocket. Prisoner and witness came to Carlisle together, and
went towards Ritson's-lane, in Caldewgate, but when they got there, witness
refused to go up a dark lane, and prisoner endeavoured to compel him, and a
struggle ensued, in which witness lamed his hand. The prisoner seized witnes
[sic] round his body, and had nearly got him away by force. After witness
had made his escape, he felt for his watch, which he had; but his money was
gone. Witness did not know what money he had, but there were two half
crowns, and some smaller silver; one of the shillings had a private mark
upon it. Witness felt the money in his pocket when on Eden-bridge, and
nobody had hold of him but the prisoner. Witness went and informed John
ARMSTRONG that night. 
 
Cross-examined by Mr. COTTINGHAM.-Witness met some girls in the new-road,
near Eden-bridge; but they never had hold of him. Witness is a labourer, and
works at the lime-kilns unhired: he had been in Scotland seeing a girl, and
had no other business; the girl had had a child by him. Witness had not been
long in the public house, before the prisoner came in; had come from
Cannobie, seven or eight miles from Westlinton. Witness paid for two
glasses, and had one pint of ale at Longtown, but not four or five quarts.
Witness also wanted to get some drink at Grimoorhill, but the prisoner
refused; they went further on and had two noggins of whiskey; but witness
was not drunk: he was able to go and stand without assistance. When they met
the girls, they went the same way as the witness and prisoner did. Witness
knows he had his money before he met the two girls, with whom the prisoner
wished him to go and drink. 
 
John ARMSTRONG, constable, sworn.-Prosecutor came to witness, on the 16th
instant, at 12 o'clock at night; said he had been robbed, and described the
appearance of the prisoner, whom witness sought for that night, but could
not find him. On the following morning, however, witness saw the prisoner in
Scotch-street, and he ran away. Witness pursued him, and took him in John
SLACK's house, under the bed, about one hour and a half from the time
witness saw him. In the pursuit, prisoner outstripped them in running, and
hid himself in John SAMPSON's premises, in Rickergate. YOUNG, the constable,
was present when the prisoner was taken, and SLACK was in the house.
Prisoner asked witness what he was taken for, and said he merely ran away
because a man had told him they were looking for him; and he did not like to
have such fellows as witness after him. 
 
Counsel.-Very few people, I believe, like to have such fellows as you after
them. 
 
ARMSTRONG.-I believe so, too, Sir; and particularly thieves (Laughter). 
 
YOUNG, the constable, deposed to his being present at the time of the
prisoner's apprehension. 
 
John SLACK sworn.-Two men came and searched under witness's bed, where the
prisoner was apprehended, and found some money; witness never keeps his own
money there. 
 
The prisoner had no Counsel; but he told the Jury his own story. He said
they had much more drink than the prosecutor had acknowledged; and that
MATTHEWS was pulling at every girl he met; and he loudly asserted his
innocence. 
 
His Lordship summed up, and the Jury pronounced him Guilty.-Sentence of
DEATH Recorded. 
 
 
[to be continued] 
 
 
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