PETERSFIELD.
PETTY SESSIONS, Tuesday.—Present: Hon. J. J. Carnegies (chairman), Sir W. Knighton, Bart., J. Bonham Carter, Esq. M.P., and J. Waddington, Esq.
— ROBBING SEAMEN OF THEIR MONEY.—Mary Ann Daly was brought up in custody on remand, under two separate charges, one of stealing from the person, and the other an attempt to do so. The latter charge was taken first. John Hemp a seaman lately paid off from the Marlborough deposed that on Wednesday the 7th inst., he was at the George public house in Petersfield about half-past 11 in the evening, standing at the bar drinking, when he felt someone’s hand in the right hand pocket of his jacket. He turned round and saw prisoner standing close to him, he took hold of her hand as it was in his pocket, there was no money in that pocket, he had just before taken out his purse to pay for some rum.There was no one beside the prisoner near him on that side.—In the second case William Simmonds, also a seaman on leave of absence from the Marlborough deposed as follows: I was at the Drum public house on Wednesday the 7th from 8 till 11 o’clock in the evening, I took my purse out to pay for some brandy and water and returned it to my pocket. A few minutes after I wanted it again but found it was gone; there was money in the purse but I cannot swear how much. My ticket of leave of absence from my ship was also in the purse which was in my right hand pocket, there was no one on that side of me except the prisoner, and had not been from the time when I put my purse into my pocket. She was at first at some distance from me but she came and leaned across me to speak to some one on the other side of the table, and just after that I missed my purse. I asked anyone who had it to give me my purse and I would say no more about it. Prisoner soon after left the room.—P.C. William Hayter deposed: On Wednesday the 7th inst. about half-past 11 o’clock in the evening I was passing the Drum public house, when the landlady called me in. I saw the witness Simmonds there, who told me he had had his pocket picked of a purse, a pass, and he thought to half sovereigns and some silver. I enquired who had been in the room, and from information received I went to the George and found prisoner there. As soon as she saw me she said some one had been knocking her about. I said ‟come with me, we may find who they are.” I took her across the Square to the police station, and there charged her with robbing a sailor, and locked her up. When I had done so I went with Supt. Longland to the bridge near the Drum, and there I picked up the pass which I now produce, it was lying in the middle of the road. This was about 20 minutes past 12.—Supt. Longland deposed: On Wednesday night about eleven o’clock I was passing the Drum, and saw prisoner standing at the corner of the house. About twelve I heard that she was locked up in the station, and I went with P.C. Hayter, and close to the spot where I had seen the prisoner standing I found the purse which I now produce. The purse was identified by Simmonds. Prisoner was committed for trial at the approaching Quarter Sessions on the two separate charges.
— SETTING A WIRE TO CATCH HARES.—George Tilbury, of Clanfield, was charged with setting a wire for catching hares, on Wednesday, the 14th inst.—Mr. Charles John Poate deposed that as he was returning from coursing on the day in question, about half-past four in the afternoon, he saw defendant doing something at a bank about 150 yards distant; he got within 50 yards of defendant before the latter saw him, and on his way towards him he picked up two wires, and when he reached the spot where he first saw defendant doing something at the bank, he found a wire set for a hare. Defendant at first denied having set it, but when witness told him he had been watching him for some minutes, he asked him to forgive him. Prosecutor told the magistrates he did not wish to press the charge and hoped they would deal leniently with the case, but the chairman remarked that the defendant had been convicted of a similar offence only a fortnight since. He was adjudged to pay a fine of £1 together with costs 7s. 6d, or one month’s imprisonment with hard labour.