UNION-HALL.—Yesterday a man, who gave his name John Wilson, was brought before L. B. ALLEN, Esq., charged under strong circumstances of suspicion with having been concerned in stealing a parcel, containing 1,005l. from the Portsmouth coach, on the 16th of January last. The prisoner was taken into custody at Hastings, and conducted up to town by Mr. Cape, the City Marshall, and John Forrester, one of the city officers, both of whom attended the examination. The prisoner is a stout-built short man, about 45 years of age, and respectably dressed; he was disguised about the head, his hair having been apparently shaved close off a considerable way up the forehead. The following evidence was adduced against him:—
Stephen Bencroft, Esq., banker, of Petersfield, stated, that on the 16th of last January, he packed up a parcel containing 1,005l., viz., 805l. in Winchester bank notes, 150l. in sovereigns, and 50l. in silver, which parcel was directed to Messrs. Williams, the bankers, in Birchin-lane, London, and intrusted to the care of Francis Faulkner, the driver of the Hero, Portsmouth coach. About half past ten o’clock that day the coach left Petersfield, and the following day, at 12 o’clock, he having received an express from town, stating that the parcel with its contents were stolen from the coach between the Elephant and Castle and Birchin-lane, he immediately proceeded to London, and subsequently ascertained that some of the stolen notes were in circulation, but no trace of their circulation was discovered until Friday last. On Sunday last he received a letter at Petersfield from Hastings, stating that a person had been taken into custody there, who had endeavoured to pass a 10l. Winchester bank-note, which was suspected to have been one of the stolen notes. Witness immediately set off to that place, and upon comparing the number of the note attempted to be passed by the prisoner, he discovered it to be one of those on the list of the 10l. stolen notes. There was another 10l. Winchester stolen note found in the prisoner’s possession, besides 10 or 12 notes of the Rye and Petworth Banks; also three or four 1l. notes of Messrs. Alexander and Co., Dublin. Mr. Bencroft added, that he suspected the prisoner to have been concerned in the above robbery.
George Bristow Carpenter, who searched the prisoner, and a person from Hastings, to whom he paid one of the notes, confirmed this statement.
Mr. ALLEN asked the prisoner if he wished to say any explanation of the manner in which he became possessed of the Winchester stolen notes?
The Prisoner.—I have no desire to say any thing at present; I wish to consult with my attorney first.
The prisoner was remanded, and the gaoler received instructions not to permit any person to have communication with the prisoner, except his solicitor.