MAGISTRATES' COURTS.

Globe, Volume IV, Issue 361, 9 August 1875, Page 2

MAGISTRATES' COURTS.

CHISTCHURCH. Monday, August 9.

[Before G. L. Mellish, Esq, K.M., andG. L. Lee and 0. L. Blakeston, Esqs, J.P.'s.] Drunk and Disorderly.—John Davis was fined ss, and Edward Golding 40s. Drunk and Fighting.—Thomas Upton and John Taylor, charged with being drunk and fighting on Sunday afternoon in Durham street, were fined 20s and 10s respectively. Larceny.—Ellen Davies with stealing a watch and chain. Inspector Feast stated that he went to the Criterion Hotel on Saturday, and saw accused, and asked her to let him look at a watch she had pawned at Davis' pawnshop, which answered the description of one lost by a lodger at the hotel, named Wheeler. Prisoner denied having ever pawned one there. Called Davis in, and she then said she had pawned one belonging to her brother, and that she had since returned it to him. Afterwards brought her brother who denied ever having given her a watch. When he (witness) spoke to her subsequently she said she did not take the watch from under the pillow, she had picked it up in the street, pawned it, and afterwards sold it to a sailor who had gone to sea. He then sent her to the depot, and in his offioc she asked him if he got the watch back would he let her go. Later in the day he got the watch and chain produced at the Criterion Hotel. Knew that aMr Wheeler of the De Glorion Troupe, who was staying at the hotel a few weeks since, used to wear the chain produced. The accused was a servant at the hotel. Mr Baylee, landlord of the Criterion, stated that accused was housemaid at the hotel. Mr Wheeler was staying at his hotel for about a fortnight, and left on the 26th ult to catch the first South train. Got a telegram that day from Master Bennie Wheeler, saying he had left a silver watch under his pillow. When he (witness) got the telegram he went up to the room and saw the accused there, who said no watch had been left under the pillow. He replied to the telegram and got a second one. On account of this he again spoke to the accused, and she again positively stated that no watch had been left under the pillow. Was present on Saturday last when accused denied ever having pawned a watch at Davis' shop. Afterwards she acknowledged having pawned the watch, and being afraid when she took it out again, and sold it to a man at the railway station. H. Davis, pawnbroker, stated that the watch and chain produced were pawned by the accused on 27th of July, and redeemed on the 2nd August. Elizabeth Granger stated that the watch and chain produced were brought to her house by accused for her (witness) to take care of. Accused, in reply to the Bench, said she had found the watch in the street, covered with mud. She had pawned it, as she wanted money, but did not intend to keep it. His Worship told accused that the Bench hai'dly believed her story. The watch did not belong to her, and she knew she was doing wrong in pawning it. She would be sentenced to one month's imprisonment, with hard labor.