- At the Central Criminal Court the four men and
three women who. shamelessly plundered M. Bisset in Bethnal-green in broad day- light, have been found guilty, and received an exemplary punishment.. The male ruffians are to endure penal servitude for seven years; one woman is sentenced to eighteen and the others to twelve months' im- prisonment with hard labour.
The trial of Durden and Holcroft for frauds on the Commercial Bank has been postponed at the request of their counsel.
One Samuel Mitchell, of Sheffield, "considered a respectable young man, though of violent and unsteady habits," has strikingly verified the qualifying clause in this testimonal to character. On false pretences he obtained a sovereign from an old man, Ralph Bar- ber, who lived a lonely life up a court. Mitchell's brother, hearing of what had happened, offered to repay the money, and did pay ten shillings, all that old Barber would accept. Samuel Mitchell then went to beg pardon, and falling on his knees implored forgiveness.. It is assumed he did this to discover, whether the old man was alone, for his next act was to beat him with his fists and the poker, to drag; him up-stairs, and demand his keys. Barber was nearly unconscious, and could give nothing. Mitchell took what he, could get, and ran off. Then the poor old man crawled to a window and obtained as- sistance. Of course Mitchell was captured. His victim is not ex- pected to survive.
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