SPORTING FOOTPAD.
This summer, the New Forest, in Hampshire, and the neighbourhood of Horn Dean, were infested by a footpad, armed with a gun, who was very successful in his depredations, and eluded all search; from whence it was supposed he had formed a retreat in the forest. His robberies were all committed in mid-day, and his appearance being that of a gentleman sportsman, he surprised the unwary traveller, before, if armed, he could prepare for his defence. He had, however, for some time disappeared, and hopes were entertained that he had changed the scene of his plunder and pillage. But the Portsmouth Telegraph, of Saturday, gives the following account of his re-appearance:
“The footpad, armed with a gun, who has made himself notorious in this neighbourhood, by his frequent and undaunted robberies, has been very active this week in his depredations. Every night, we believe, he has stopped some persons, and robbed them, either upon the Chichester or London roads, and so artfully changing his ground as to elude search. On Wednesday night a little before eight o’clock, he stopped Mr. Astlett, coach-maker, of this town, who was on horseback, near the fir trees, on Gravel-hill, on Petersfield Downs, and robbed him of about 7l. Last night, he stopped a man and woman, midway between Havant and Emsworth, and took 30s. from them.”