Chester Chronicle – Friday 19 May 1826       CHESTER POLICE COURT. SATURDAY, May 13 Present, Aldermen Larden, Newell, and Francis. The Mayor, being indisposed, was absent.  A WATCHMAN "AT FAULT." Last week, a man from Manchester was committed to the city gaol, charged with stealing a hat and a silk handkerchief, during the race-week, the property of a constable named Wood. The hat was found in his possession, but the handkerchief was not, although, he had been seen with it in his hand with the hat This morning, a watchman named Johnson was accused of having pawned, or caused to be pawned, the handkerchief said to be stolen. He admitted the fact, and said he found it in Foregate-street. It was also proved in evidence that Johnson knew the handkerchief belonged to Wood at the time it was pawned. The Court ordered him to be suspended in the mean time, in order that the case may be laid before the Commissioners. Johnson said he would save the Court any further trouble and resigned his office.    

Chester Chronicle - Wednesday 21 June 1826      CASE OF GEORGE JOINSON. Cheshire Quarter Sessions [FROM THE COURANT] Our readers will remember that this prisoner was indicted at the January sessions, for stealing some poultry, the properly of Mr. Woolliscroft, of the White Lion, in this city. His trial was postponed on that occasion, in consequence of the absence of Betty and Mary Robinson, the sister and niece of the prisoner, who were sworn to be material witnesses for the prosecution. At the last April sessions these witnesses were still absent, and the trial was further postponed until these sessions. The witnesses contrived to continue yet undiscovered, and the prisoner was put on his trial on Friday. Mr. Deacon stated the case for the prosecution, and Mr. Ashworth and Mr. Cottingham defended the prisoner. Richard Davies, Mr. Woolliscroft’s man proved that he identified one duck when the prisoner was examined before the Magistrates, as the property of his master. He knew it by a broken leg which he himself had spliced and set when the accident occurred. George Dawson, police officer, Chester - I went to search the house of Betty Robinson, the prisoner's sister, at Trafford, about ten o'clock in the morning of Monday after the ducks were lost. I saw a large iron pot on the fire with water in it; there was a feather on the surface, and the water had a greasy appearance. Betty Robinson came out of an adjoining bed room with blood on her hands. Hill, a police officer, and myself, went into the room, and we there found a quantity of ducks which another woman (sister of the prisoner) was in the act of plucking and drawing. In another bed-room on the same floor, we found a number of other ducks and eight turkeys ready dressed for market; the turkeys had a few black feathers on the heads, and dark legs. We found two hampers marked G. J. which are the initials of the prisoner; Betty Robinson and Mary Robinson were examined before Mr. Morrall and another magistrate. The former said in the presence of the prisoner, that she was coming to Chester, between nine and ten o'clock on Sunday morning, when she met the prisoner with his horse and cart and two hampers going to her house. On her return home she found the ducks and turkeys at her house, and directions to have them dressed for Manchester market as quick as possible. Mary Robinson said that she was at home at ten o'clock on the Saturday morning, and that the prisoner (her uncle) came to the door with his cart and horse and two hampers, containing the 8 turkeys and 28 ducks, and gave directions to have them dressed for Manchester market. The prisoner said he had bought them of W. Watson and W. Tasker. He said he was not then prepared to prove the fact, but that at another examination he would bring forward two persons to prove that he bought them and paid for them. [Considerable discussion arose between the learned counsel as to the admissibility of parole evidence of the declaration of the women, and the prisoner himself before the magistrate, in consequence of its being taken down in writing. Owing, to a misapprehension of the Chairman as to the time when it was reduced to writing, it was at first received as detailed above, but subsequently struck out of the Chairman's notes, and the depositions themselves put in evidence— being precisely the same in substance, we have suffered the above to remain as part of the evidence of this witness.] When I was in the act of taking the prisoner from the City Gaol, he told me he could prove satisfactorily where he had got the fowls, and that a man then in the City Gaol, W. Watson, was one of those from thorn he had purchased them, and that he could produce a man named Owens, of Manchester, who was present when he gave a high price for them to Watson and Tasker. This man was not produced before the magistrates at either examinations. In the passage leading to the magistrates room, the prisoner spoke to me saying, "if you will suppress or withhold any thing injurious to me in your examination, I will give five pounds, and the person with you (Hill) shall have pounds” or words to that effect. Cross examined by Mr Ashworth – The prisoner has been a very considerable dealer in poultry, vegetables and fruit for some time past, and has been in the habit of attending the Manchester market There is a great poultry market at Manchester just before Christmas day, and persons who attend that market would probably have a larger supply the usual for market. There is not any thing unusual in persons bringing fowls ready dressed for market, if the fowls were killed in the usual way. These fowls were not killed in the usual way, but their necks pulled out as if done by parsons. Who steal fowls. The conversation with the prisoner which I have before stated, is in substance is what he said to me. John Hill, police officer at Chester—I went with Dawson to search Elizabeth Robinson's house, at Trafford; I found in one of the bed-rooms eight turkeys, partly dressed and covered up with a cloth. I found part of the feathers in a basket, and what appeared to be the remainder on the tester of the bed, in an old sack, wrapped round with a bed-quilt. I got on a Manchester coach. I met the prisoner on his pony going in the direction of Trafford, and took him into custody. I told him the charge. He pretended to know nothing of the charge, nor of me, although he knew me very well. I took him to the city gaol, and went to search his house at Chester, where I found one duck, ready dressed for the spit. I searched under a flag in the yard, in consequence of what the prisoner's wife told me, and found the drawings of a couple of ducks and the feathers.  I was with Dawson in the passage leading to the Magistrate's room, and the conversation, as related by Dawson in his evidence, is in substance, what the prisoner then said. Mr. John Wooliscroft, the younger—I reside with my father, the prosecutor in this case. I remember the fowls stolen from my father. I went with Dawson and Hill to Elizabeth Robinson's house. I believe the turkeys found at her house were the same that were stolen from my father; they had black heads, and black legs, like those of my father's. Prisoner said to my father in the Magistrates room, if he would not prosecute him, that he should lose nothing by it, or words to that effect. Cross-examined by Mr. Ashworth—The other feathers were all off. Black turkeys have always black legs. I never saw them with any other. Mr. Thomas Parry solicitor, was next sworn—I was before the Magistrates. I officiated as their clerk on the Monday, when the depositions were taken against the prisoner. The papers now before me, purporting to be the examinations of the women Betty and Mary Robinson, are the declaration of the prisoner are the same as then taken. The written depositions of the Robinsons were then put in; they stated the same facts in substance as were elicited in that part of Dawson's evidence which relates to these women. The declaration of the prisoner before the Magistrates were also put in; it stated that what they (the several deponents,) had said, was true, but that he could not account satisfactorily how he came by the fowls. This closed the case for the prosecution. When the prisoner was called upon for his defence, he confined himself to accusations against Dawson and the police, stating that Tasker was in the pay of the officers, and suffered to commit crimes with impunity, in order to entrap others. Owens, the Manchester man, whose efficiency was thought to be so important to the prisoner, was called, but he did not appear; although he had been in Court in the course of the morning. Search was made for him throughout the town, but he was nowhere to be found. A person named Hopley, who is allied by marriage in some wav to the prisoner, was called to give him a good character previous to this affair. The Chairman recapitulated the evidence with great minuteness and the jury without hesitation found a verdict of guilty. The moment the foreman pronounced the verdict, the prisoner fell down in the deck, and groaned in a most piteous manner. He was taken away by the officers in attendance, without receiving sentence of Seven Years Transportation which was afterwards passed upon him, in a most impressive manner, by the worthy Chairman. {The Chairman in proceeding to pass sentence observed, that his case was a very aggravated one independent of his conduct in getting the witnesses out of the way: that he was a man of very bad character, and a general receiver of stolen goods; and his house was the hot-bed of crime—Sentence of Court Seven years Transporting in the usual manner.}   

Chester Chronicle - Friday 14 July 1826     CHESTER POLICE COURT. MONDAY, July 9th—Present, the Mayor, and Aldermen Newell, H. Bowers, Williamson, and Massey.      WILFUL STABBING. This morning, John Suddones, a watchman, preferred a charge against Andrew Scalion, a private of the 57th regiment of foot, of wilfully stabbing David Rogers, on Saturday night last, at the Coach and Horses Inn. The Court was informed that Scalion was in custody at the Guard-House in the Castle, in the mean time—that he was not stationed at our barrack —but had merely come here as an escort with ammunition.      Mr. George Harrison, surgeon, stated that he had attended Rogers, and found him to have received a bayonet-wound in the right side—he considered his life to be now out of danger, but was not so far recovered as to be able to attend to give his evidence to-day. The point of the bayonet very fortunately had bit against one of Rogers's ribs, and his life was thereby saved.      The Mayor thought the depositions of some of the persons who saw the affair should be taken, in order that a warrant might be granted to bring up the soldier to answer to the charge.     Ann Hooley, wife of John Hooley, landlord of the Coach and Horses Inn, being sworn, deposed that Andrew Scalion was quartered at her house, and, that he went out in the evening, and returned home about a quarter before twelve o'clock at night. Finding the front doer locked, he kicked at it in a very violent manner. The deponent did not then let him in, but asked her husband to go out at another door, and speak to him: he did so—and in a minute or two the deponent heard them at high words, the soldier swearing the most dreadful oaths. She then opened the front doer, when the soldier rushed in, and ran up stairs. In going up, the deponent heard the soldier threaten to fetch his bayonet and stab her husband. The latter followed the soldier up stairs, upon which the deponent became alarmed, and ran into the front parlour, where David Rogers and a number of others were drinking, and said to them, "for God's sake go up stairs, the soldier is gone to get his bayonet, and says he will stick my master!"—upon which Rogers and some of the other men went up to the assistance of Hooley. In a few minutes the deponent saw Rogers come down stairs; he held his hand to his side, and looked very ill; she enquired of him if he was hurt?—he answered “not much ;" he then began to look worse than when he first came down, but appeared not to wish deponent to know that he was so bad as he really was.      John Suddones, the watchman of the station, deposed that upon hearing a noise at the Coach and Horses he went in, and proceeded up stairs. He there saw Scalion standing a little way within the door of a bed-room: he had his gun in his hands, which he loaded, swearing he would shoot the first person that approached him. David Rogers, Mr. Hooley, with a number of other persons, were standing in the lobby, endeavouring to pacify him: he, however, continued to swear and curse, and exclaiming “be off you b.......s!" and charged them with fixed bayonet. The deponent saw the bayonet enter the side of Rogers. Mrs. Hooley further deposed that Scalion, after he came down stairs, was very boisterous, and swore he would blow her husband's brains out if he did not instantly fetch him a drink of water. He (Scalion) was not intoxicated at the time. The Mayor granted a warrant for the apprehension of the offender, directing the constable (before he served it) to get it backed by a county magistrate – In the evening the warrant was served, and Scalion was escorted by a file of men from the Castle to the City Gaol, where he was safely lodged.

 DISORDERLIES.      John Queen, a little old-fashioned fellow, stripped to his shirt, and with a beard of “informal growth," was brought up, charged with being drunk during divine service on Sunday morning. It appeared, that the defendant, in “the hey-day of his blood," as in duty bound (having been a queen) devoted his services to the king: he became a soldier, and during the war his unfortunate cranium came in contact with one of those busy, intrusive things—a musket shot! and, (to use his own words) "now I'm obliged to sell cement to mend women's cracked and broken crockery, and the like—and whenever I gets a sup o' drink it flies to my head, and sets me mad !" Mayor "But your madness is not to be borne by the peaceable citizens; you know your failing, and should refrain from drinking liquors. Who substantiates this charge?.   Monday (the constable) " I do, please your worship; he was smoking his pipe a little before 12 o'clock in the morning." Alderman H. Rowers—"Why, bless me; smoking a pipe is not a proof of drunkenness!" Monday—"Oh, no, not exactly, but he was waddling and staggering, and was followed by a crowd of boys." This was a clincher, and the Court ordained that John should pay a fine of 5s. and 2s. costs for the offence, which he promised to do on Saturday next.

WILFUL STABBING.      Andrew Scalion, the soldier alluded to in our Police Report of Monday, was this morning brought up, charged, upon the oath of David Rogers, (a labourer employed in the gardens at Eaton Hall) under the terms of Lord Ellenborough's Act (43 Geo. IV.) for cutting and stabbing him on Saturday night, or early on Sunday morning, with intent to kill, or to do him some grievous bodily harm. The prisoner is a coarse  featured man, about 32 years of age; the prosecutor (who appeared very weak) is somewhat older. David Rogers deposed that he was at the Coach and Horses Inn at a little before twelve o'clock on Saturday night, when he was sitting, with a friend, in one of the front parlours. He heard a violent knocking at the street door, and somebody demanding to be let in. He also heard Mr. Hooley say, "it is an illegal hour, soldier, and you sha'nt come in." The knocking continued, and deponent heard Mr. Hooley go outside the door: there was then a loud talking, and a noise like that of persons quarrelling. In a few minutes deponent heard some one go upstairs, exclaiming  “I'll fetch my bayonet, and kill him!" There was a noise of other feet upon the stairs. Mrs. Hooley came running into the room where deponent was, and entreated those sitting there to go up stairs and save her husband. Deponent then went up stairs; several persons were standing in the passage; the prisoner was standing just within a bedroom door, loading his musket, saying to those around him, "By J....s I'll shoot you, if you are not from here!" The deponent said, "soldier, moderate your passion, if you want anything to drink, there's a full pot of porter down stairs, if you'll go down quietly."—-He replied, "d—n you, I don’t want none of your porter; be off, or I'll send you” He then drew up the gun towards his shoulder, put his hand to the trigger, and ran towards them: several ,of them ran down stairs, when the prisoner turned round, fixed his bayonet, and said to Henry Evans, a bookbinder, "By J—s ! I'll let light into you!"— Evans ran away, and escaped the thrust: he (the prisoner) turned towards deponent, who was yet standing in the passage, and said, "Here's into you, then!" and thrust his bayonet into his left side. The deponent hurried forward towards the head of the stairs, and was followed by the prisoner: at the head of the stairs he made another violent thrust, exclaiming, “By J.... s! I’ll let light into you:" the deponent, however, fell down the stairs and escaped unhurt from this last thrust. The prisoner then went back to the bed-room. It appeared further in evidence, that the prisoner afterwards went down stairs, and was there almost as boisterous as above.-( See the deposition of Mrs. Hooley on Monday) Information was sent to the Guard-House, at the Castle, of the prisoner's conduct and a file of men promptly came down and took him away. Mrs Hooley who was out of Town was not examined George Ambler, a Serjeant of the 7th Fusiliers, deposed:  “I was one of then men who came down from the castle to take the prisoner into custody. I took from him the gun now produced. It was loaded with ball, full cocked and primed - When I took it from him, he said it was loaded, and me to put on the flint cover, to prevent it’s going off.  We then removed him to the guard house. The prisoner than asked if he had anything to urge why he should not be committed to take his trial for wilfully and maliciously stabbing, attempted to justify the outrage, insisting he had a right to force his way to the bed-room, and to defend the regimental property therefore had a single article, however small been lost, he would have answered for it in a Court Martial, and in probability been flogged. He denied the threats imputed to him, and said it was a hard thing to be hung for nothing but saving his life and property!"— He was then fully committed, and the parties bound over to prosecute.

Chester Chronicle - Friday 4 August 1826     CHESTER POLICE. Wednesday, Aug. 2nd—Present the Mayor, Ald. H. Bowers, Massey, Francis, R. Bowers, Morris, and Rogers.     ROBBERY of the TOWN OFFICE of CASH amounting to upwards of £90— John Phelan, a clerk in the post office, was brought up from “quod” (sic), charged with committing the above felony, on the night of Monday last, and was fully committed for trial for the same.— Michael Phelan, was also brought up on suspicion of being an accessory, but no evidence was produced to warrant his detention, consequently he was discharged. —As the case of young Phelan has excited a good deal of interest, we shall go into the principal points of the evidence. When he was brought into Court, the place was crowded to excess, and during a great part of the examination, he placed his handkerchief before his face.     The first witness called was, Charles Owen, office-boy to Mr. F. Maddock. He deposed that on the preceding Monday night, about eight o'clock, he locked the lower office door, and that Phelan locked the outer one. He gave the key of the lower office to the prisoner, who then had both keys. He stood with him under the Exchange for about two minutes; and Phelan said, it was no use for him taking the keys to Mr. F. Maddock's house then as the servant was not in. He did not see him again till next morning.      Elizabeth Ibell, who is servant to Mr. F. Maddock; recollects me prisoner bringing the keys to the house on the Monday night, about nine o'clock, and hung them up himself on a nail in the kitchen; the keys used to be brought about eight.      Charlotte Leyfield deposed to coming to the Town office about eight o'clock on Tuesday morning, but could not open the outer door. She then proceeded to state, that she went to prisoner's house, requested him to come and assist her in opening the outer-door, and that he came, and after some further ineffectual efforts to gain admittance through the front door, by means of a stool got up to the outward widow, and said that the office-door was wide open, and the outer one barricaded in the inside by a large piece of wood; that they were forced to enter through the window, and when the prisoner entered the office, he said thieves had robbed the place.      William Edwards, clerk to Mr. Finchett-Maddock, gave his evidence as follows .—On Tuesday morning I came to the office, and found my two drawers had been broken open, as also John's (the prisoner) desk, and a little cupboard upon my desk; I found scattered £5 16s. in loose silver, 1 sovereign, and nine pence in copper. After this, I searched the drawer, and found that all the money was gone, except that found on the desk; £70 7s. 10d. was the actual amount missing; the yellow canvass bag without a string, was also gone; none of the papers appeared to have been disturbed. My attention was then drawn to the manner in which the robbery was committed: I examined the doors, and instantly had a suspicion, no violence being found on the outer door; the violence done inside had been done, I supposed, with a small chisel, with which we cut the deeds; the chisel exactly fitted the several places to which it had been applied: the chisel was produced. I communicated my suspicion, as to the guilt of the prisoner, to Mr. Dawson, and Monday, one of the constables. We went to the magistrates and got a search warrant as soon as possible; I did not go along with them to search. I went with them only for the search warrant. The money was principally sovereigns and silver: there was 1 or 2 notes, but cannot speak to the amount. There was £10 in silver, wrapped up in one paper; I don’t know whether the notes were Bank of England or not.      Joseph Monday, one of the Constables, deposed to having searched the house of the prisoner's father on Tuesday morning, when he found a canvass bag in a small desk in the bed-room, there were 25 sovereigns, a guineas, 17 half sovereigns, (here Mr. Edwards was called who spoke to their being half sovereigns in the bag, loose silver about 14s, a package of silver, containing £4. 12s and a halfpenny in copper, all loose in the box. and the bag over it. (Mr. Edwards identified the bag from having had it in frequent use, and having no strings in it)  Found some plans of the new Bridge, (these were produced and identified by Mr. Finchett-Maddock.) The plans were not found in the same room as the money, they were in the bottom of a box;  the box was locked when I went to search it.      Mr. George Dawson, Police Officer, was next examined. Searched John Phelan, and was present when the money was found in Phelan's house, and assisted in searching a trunk which the father said belonged to the son, and found therein a magic lantern, with reflectors called slides, a watch ribbon, and a gold seal appended to it. I then proceeded to find Phelan, whom I found in the bottom office of the Exchange, I found in his pocket a silver pencil case, and a silver tooth pick, and a cup and ball. In his waistcoat pocket a small parcel attaining six sovereigns, half a sovereign, £5 Bank of England Note, a one pound Salop Bank, and one Wrexham Bank, and in his trowsers pocket (sic) £5 16s. in silver, and on some other parts of his person, two-pence in copper, and a receipt; upon taking the silver out of his trowsers(sic) pocket, he said that you have nothing to do with it, it belongs to Jones the baker, in Princess-street, for copper; he wished to say something to me after the search, but I told him to be silent.       John Hill, constable of Chester, was the next person examined. He assisted in the search; saw Monday open the desk and take cut the tin box of money and the bag; this was in the bed room in Phelan's house, Mrs. Phelan said it was her son's bed room; I found in the desk a phosphorous bottle and matches, (these were produced in court) with two pencil cases; the desk Mrs. Phelan informed me was her son's.       W Thomas Bowers, druggist, was next examined, and deposed, that John Phelan, the prisoner, came to him on Monday afternoon, about four or live o'clock, in the shop, and asked for a match-box, which I gave him, and for which he paid me 6d. Mr. B. said, it did not appear to be so full as when delivered to Phelan, and knew that it was the very match-box given to Phelan by him; he identified it by a particular mark on the exterior of the box; there appeared to be a match or two taken out.     Mrs. Turner, of the Exchange, was the next to give evidence.-  Saw John Phelan go down her stairs a little before the bell rang nine; these were the stairs leading to the Town Hall; as that was not the regular road to the office, I said, dear me John, is it you ? He said yes. I then opened him the front door I never observed that he came that way before, after the office was closed.    William Hope, clerk to Mr Maddock, examined:- He first produced the key of the door loading to the  Town-hall, down Mrs. Turner's steps; found it in John Phelan’s desk on Tuesday; it is usually kept on the nail of his frame, or some one of the nails where the other keys, are kept opposite the fire-place.     Some other evidence was offered, but of little moment; when the prisoner, on being asked whether he wished to say any thing why he should not be committed, answered he had nothing to say, but that his father was not in the least implicated. The young man was then finally committed for trial.

Chester Chronicle - Friday 28 December 1827     CHESTER POLICE REPORT. SATURDAY, December 22. Before the Mayor. Aldermen Larden, R Bowers, Francis and Williamson - James Ladmore, one of the City Constables, appeared in Court to answer a charge which had been preferred against him for inconsistent conduct, on the previous Sabbath, by a person named Woods; but after waiting a length of time, and the name of his accuser had been called out frequently, the Mayor informed him, he (the Mayor) had only acted consistently with his duty in bringing him before the Bench, but as Woods had not appeared to substantiate what he alleged against him, the Court concluded the allegations were untrue, and originated In motives which were wrong, therefore, he was fully discharged, and in the eyes of the public, no stain would rest upon his character.

Chester Chronicle - Friday 4 January 1828     CHESTER POLICE REPORT. SATURDAY, Dec. 20.—Before the Mayor, Aldermen Larden Francis, and Williamson. John Hughes was brought up by Richardson, a watchman who charged him with being intoxicated, and abusing him whilst on his duty, about one o'clock on Tuesday morning.— Hughes said he had been keeping up Christmas at the Red Lion, in Northgate-street, until that hour. This information led the mayor to enquire of the watchman, why the house was not reported? When Hughes declared that the watchman also had some drink in the house just before he left.      Richardson solemnly vowed he did not take any drink in the house but a young man in Court, said he gave him some ale,—upon hearing which, this zealous preserver of the law sharply replied, "if he did taste any ale, he drank it outside the door.”  The Mayor declared, that such evasions and misconduct should not be overlooked by him:  his Worship was proceeding when Hughes's son charged Richardson with being asleep upon his post that morning, and said Frith, another watchman, awoke him in his presence. Newton, when called upon to give  evidence as to the conduct of his brother Charley, said, "Mr Mayor, he was not awake nor asleep,—he was between the two”. The Town Clerk suggested that perhaps he was in a watch man's sleep. Frith thought that gentleman hit the mark, for he replied, "Yes, Sir, neither sleep nor waken."       The Mayor suspended Richardson until the next meeting of Police Commissioners and bound Hughes over to keep the peace in two sureties.

A VERY FOWL CASE. John Pownall, of Handbridge, an old offender, well known from his strong attachment to the feathered tribe; and who, a short time since was apprehended for having In his possession some prime turkeys, which he accidentally picked up in the vicinity of a farm-house, was handed to the front of the table. The watchman said, he saw him entering into Handbridge, from the Pulford-road, about three o'clock on the morning of Saturday last, and suspecting he had been out on the prowl, he demanded to know what he had about him, he resisted him for a time, but being joined by Bennion, a supernumerary watchman, who, upon hearing the scuffle, hasted out of bed, to his assistance, they succeeded in searching him, and found in his “inexpressibles” six fowls—and four more inclosed in the inside of his waistcoat. He said he bought the whole of them from a man whom he met on the road near Northop: he brought them for some distance alive, but thinking he could carry them more snugly if dead, he wrung their necks out; and as he had honestly got them, he was proceeding quietly home, when he was rudely stopped by the watchman, who, he said, had spoiled his Saturday's market The Town Clerk, " Why Pownall, you said you would never come here again ?—" Yes Sir, but you don't use me fair, about these fowl."' —Ald. Fletcher asked him at what hour, and where he purchased them? In answer, he said, he bought them about six o'clock that evening, on the road, near Northop—lt was stated by Bennion, that he was seen going towards Pulford, about seven o'clock on Friday morning, by an individual named William Griffiths, and that at two o'clock on Saturday morning he was met by a carter, on his way to Chester, with the poultry in his possession.—He was remanded for further examination.

TUESDAY—Present, the Mayor, Alderman Williamson, and Francis.    The Fowl Thief:  Isaac Bennion, the supernumerary watchman, who was ordered by the Magistrates yesterday to go to Pulford, and its vicinity, with a view to discover from whom the fowls, found in the possession of Pownall, had been stolen, appeared before the Bench, and stated, that be learnt, on enquiry, they had been purloined from the roost of Mr. Timothy Lee, of Pulford—Pownall will therefore be brought before a County Magistrate for examination, and committal.      John Joinson, of Handbridge, John Thomas, of Foregate-street, and Ann Walters, a lady from the vicinity of St. Olave's-street, were called forward. The watchman stated, that about two o'clock on Tuesday morning, these young men, accompanied by Miss Walters, were making a great noise in Castle-street, and on his insisting that she should quit their company, they kept fast hold of her, swearing she should not leave them,—upon which, he, and another preserver of the peace, took the whole of them to the strong hold— The Mayor gave them some excellent advice; and they were discharged, on paying the watchmen a shilling each. . .

Chester Chronicle - Friday 17 August 1827     Chester Police Report. MONDAY.—Present, Alderman Newell. K. Bowers. Rogers, Williamson, and Morris.  Henry Marsden was brought up, charged with assaulting John Southerns, a watchman, and Isaac Benyon, a supernumerary, while in the execution of their duty.      Both of them were knocked down and surrounded by a crowd of between three and four hundred persons, and the prisoner was amongst the foremost who maltreated them, though he was then under bail to appear at the ensuing sessions.     The Court ordered that his recognizance should be ‘estreated’ and that he should procure fresh bail, in two persons to the amount of twenty pounds each, assuring him at the same time, that an indictment for each assault would be preferred against him.

Chester Chronicle – Friday 19 October 1827     Chester Police Report. Wednesday October 17 – Present, The Mayor, Ald. Larden, Newell and Williamson. John Barnett and James Harrison, appeared to answer summonses, charging them with violently assaulting Geo. Whitebrook and Joseph Pownall, at half-past eleven o'clock on Monday night last. The complainants stated, that they were coming up Foregate-street, on their way home, when they were assaulted by these two young men, who pushed them off the side-pavement; they remonstrated with Harnett and Harrison, who, without further ceremony, began to beat them in a shameful manner,—also following them into Johns-street where the outrage was renewed with increased violence.— Upon Pownall declaring that he would have satisfaction for the injury he had sustained, Harrison said, he did not care for the Corporation, or the punishment they could inflict as he was going to Birmingham in the morning, before they could summon him; and he would rather be hanged there than die a natural death in Chester." Sumpter, the watchman, was called upon to state what he knew of the transaction and why he did not report it in the watch-book: he said, he knew little about the matter, as he came up when it was nearly ended, and from what he saw, he could not tell who were the aggressors; he saw Barnett used very ill, but did not know by whom. The facts of the assault being sworn to, they were ordered to find bail, themselves in 20/0 and sureties in 10/0 each, to answer a bill of indictment which will be preferred against them al the approaching Sessions.

Chester Chronicle - Friday 28 December 1827     CHESTER POLICE REPORT. [omitted last week.] SATURDAY, Dec. 14 - Before the Mayor, Aldermen Francis, and Williamson. Mr. George Dawson, Superintendent of police, complained of an assault committed on him by Mr. Healey, over-looker of the meat-shambles:—Healey, when called upon to answer to the charge, conducted himself in such a disorderly way before the Bench, that the Chief Magistrate informed him, the Court would not suffer such behaviour to pass by unpunished, if he did not immediately desist: but as he continued to manifest the same ungoverned feeling, expressing with Boarnerge's roar, (suiting the action to the word) his determination to be revenged of Mr. Dawson for some imaginary mere chit-chat evil that he had done him.     The Mayor told him, he had better leave the Court, and threw out a plain hint, that he should dispense with his services in future.   Healey grovelled and retired.

Chester Chronicle - Friday 19 January 1827     Chester Police Report. MONDAY, Jan. 15.—Present, Aldermen Francis (Deputy Mayor), Newell, Morris, and Fletcher.    Elizabeth Morris, who had been taken to the House of Correction on Saturday evening, marched forward with solemn pace, halting at each step to make her lowly courtesy to the Bench. The watchman said that he found Elizabeth in a complete state of intoxication in the street, she having unfortunately taken so much gin as to render her incapably of leaving the spot where he found her. She had in her possession a banker's receipt for £100 deposited in her name, in the hands of Messrs. Sankeys, of Holywell; and she stated, that she was on her way to that town, to draw a little more money, probably to meet her thirsty demands.—lt appeared from an indorse on the paper she had, that within the short space of a few weeks, she had received £40 from the same quarter—the original sum deposited having amounted to one hundred and forty pounds.— The Magistrates said, she must pay the usual penalty for drunkenness; but, she replied she had no money to pay it now, but would call and discharge the debt of stern justice when she returned; for it was not so much the fault of the liquor, as the many cuts she had in her head She was discharged; and on leaving the court forgot her former promise, declaring, they should never see her face in that place again.

John Edwards, alias Shifty Edwards, of barrel notoriety—was brought up from Jepson's stone-jug, in the custody of a watchman, who found him stretched out dead drunk, on the King's highway, completely interrupting the progress of the muddy stream of the channel in Bridge-street He pleaded his inability to pay the fine; and gave it as his opinion that the crime was a great deal lessened, because the strong drink was given to him—Although the Bench differed with Shifty, on this point; yet, upon promising to keep sober in future, he was discharged.

Chester Chronicle - Friday 17 August 1827   Chester Police Report. MONDAY.—Present, Alderman Newell. K. Bowers. Rogers, Williamson, and Morris. Henry Marsden was brought up, charged with assaulting John Southerns, a watchman, and Isaac Benyon, a supernumerary, while in the execution of their duty.     Both of them were knocked down and surrounded by a crowd of between three and four hundred persons, and the prisoner was amongst the foremost who maltreated them, though he was then under bail to appear at the ensuing sessions.     The Court ordered that his recognizance should be estreated, and that he should procure fresh bail, in two persons to the amount of twenty pounds each, assuring him at the same time, that an indictment for each assault would be preferred against him.

Chester Chronicle – Friday 7 December 1827     Chester Police Report – Tuesday Dec 4 Three Constables, who had been summoned for neglecting their duly on the Sabbath Day, appeared to answer the charge; two of them pleaded sickness as the cause of their not going the rounds on that day; and the third, that just as he was about to start to his post, it begun to rain, which prevented him from attending. The Mayor remarked, that sickness was certainly a reasonable cause of absence, but they should have sent information to the Superintendent of Police, and persons would have been ordered on duty in their stead,—but as to the plea of not attending, in consequence of a shower of rain, it was too paltry to be admitted; he hoped constables would recollect that they were liable to a fine of 40s. for neglecting their duty, and he should certainly enforce it in future... At present he dismissed the whole of these preservers of the peace.

Chester Chronicle - Friday 4 January 1828     CHESTER POLICE REPORT. Before the Mayor, Aldermen Larden Francis, and Williamson.    John Hughes was brought up by Richardson, a watchman who charged him with being intoxicated, and abusing him whilst on his duty, about one o'clock on Tuesday morning.— Hughes said he had been keeping up Christmas at the Red Lion, in Northgate-street, until that hour. This information led the mayor to enquire of the watchman, why the house was not reported? when Hughes declared, that the watchman also had some drink in the house just before he left.     Richardson solemnly vowed he did not take any drink in the house but a young man in Court, said he gave him some ale,—upon hearing which, this zealous preserver of the law sharply replied, "if he did taste any ale, he drank it outside the door.”  The Mayor declared, that such evasions and misconduct should not be overlooked by him:  his Worship was proceeding when Hughes's son charged Richardson with being asleep upon his post that morning, and said Frith, another watchman, awoke him in his presence. Newton, when called upon to give  evidence as to the conduct of his brother Charley, said, "Mr Mayor, he was not awake nor asleep,—he was between the two”. The Town Clerk suggested that perhaps he was in a watch man's sleep. Frith thought that gentleman hit the mark, for he replied, "Yes, Sir, neither sleep nor waken."    The Mayor suspended Richardson until the next meeting of Police Commissioners and bound Hughes over to keep the peace in two sureties.  

Chester Chronicle - Friday 4 January 1828     CHESTER POLICE REPORT. SATURDAY, Dec. 20.—Before the Mayor, Aldermen Larden Francis, and Williamson.    John Hughes was brought up by Richardson, a watchman who charged him with being intoxicated, and abusing him whilst on his duty, about one o'clock on Tuesday morning.— Hughes said he had been keeping up Christmas at the Red Lion, in Northgate-street, until that hour. This information led the mayor to enquire of the watchman, why the house was not reported? when Hughes declared, that the watchman also had some drink in the house just before he left.      Richardson solemnly vowed he did not take any drink in the house but a young man in Court, said he gave him some ale,—upon hearing which, this zealous preserver of the law sharply replied, "if he did taste any ale, he drank it outside the door.”  The Mayor declared, that such evasions and misconduct should not be overlooked by him:  his Worship was proceeding when Hughes's son charged Richardson with being asleep upon his post that morning, and said Frith, another watchman, awoke him in his presence. Newton, when called upon to give evidence as to the conduct of his brother Charley, said, "Mr Mayor, he was not awake nor asleep,—he was between the two”. The Town Clerk suggested that perhaps he was in a watch man's sleep. Frith thought that gentleman hit the mark, for he replied, "Yes, Sir, neither sleep nor waken."      The Mayor suspended Richardson until the next meeting of Police Commissioners and bound Hughes over to keep the peace in two sureties.

Chronicle – Friday 6 February 1828     CHESTER POLICE REPORT TUESDAY, Feb. 8 —Before the Worshipful the Mayor. Peter Clubbe was brought into Court under a warrant, and just before business commenced, he walked up to the Bench, and asked the Mayor to allow him a glass of water,—who immediately informed him, that he was in a state of intoxication, and the Court should not be insulted by him, and ordered the officers to take him to prison. When the constable’s attempted to seize Clubbe, he put himself in an altitude of self-defence, and before they could secure him, he ups at a poor old Woman who was seated on a chair.—He was taken into an adjoining apartment, and in a little time the Mayor ordered him to be brought before him again, when Edwards, a watchman, swore that Clubbe, on Saturday night, took a rattle and stick from Allen, a brother watchman, who was drunk, and marched up Eastgate-street, accompanied by a great crowd of people, springing the coffee mill as he went along; and when he entreated Clubbe to give them up, he struck him two violent blows on the head with the stick,—The Mayor immediately committed him into the safe-keeping of Governor Jepson; and ordered Allen to be discharged

Chester Chronicle – Friday 22 February 1828       Prigging Knockers --- Several gentlemen residing in Stanley Place, appeared in Court this morning, and informed the Mayor that last night about 12 o'clock, no less than nine knockers were taken from the doors of residents in Stanley Place, by two men of respectable appearance. Littler the watchmen, on being called upon to state what he knew of the transaction, said, than when he was crying twelve, a gentleman in the Mews told him, his knocker had just been taken and there were two more missing from other doors in that place; and when he got to Stanley Place, he discovered that nine had been stolen from the doors there. Some intimation was thrown out that the watchman was not attentive to his duty; but he stated that he could not go the whole of his beat every hall-hour, in consequence of its extreme length through the reduction of the number of watchmen. The Mayor, however, though, differently, and ordered the Superintendent of the watch to accompany him on the round, and see whether it could be accomplished in the half-hour. No blame whatever was imputed to Littler, as to this affair  and we hope these larking depredators, will yet be discovered and meet with the punishment they deserve.

Chester Chronicle – Friday 11 July 1828      CHESTER POLICE REPORT. WEDNESDAY, July 2.— Before Alderman B. Bowers, Francis, and Williamson. Jane Ibell, a damsel of small stature, but of great spirit who together with four other females, threw stones and mud at Mr. Hill, and the persons who assisted him, whilst in the art of apprehending her brother, in Flookersbrook, on Saturday night week, —was sent to the House of Correction for want of sureties. This delicate Miss told Mr. Hill, while deposing to the facts, that he was mistaken; it was not her who threw at him —he had put the saddle on the wrong horse.

Capper, a constable, was summoned by a Sergeant of the 71st Regiment, (later the Highland Light Infantry) for abusing, and threatening to strike him. Capper said, he was only doing his duly, in preventing the soldier from fighting dogs; but he allowed he did it rather roughly. Two witnesses declared that the Sergeant had nothing to do with the dog-fight —The matter was adjusted, on Capper promising to act as a peace-maker in future.

Chester Chronicle - Friday 24 October 1828     CHESTER QUARTER SESSIONS These Sessions were held yesterday, before Richd. Tyrwhitt, Esq. Recorder, and Thomas Francis, Esq. Deputy Mayor—Stealing Wearing Apparel: JAMES LLOYD was indicted for stealing two pair of trowers (sic .from Mrs. Huntington, clothes-dealer, of this city, in (company with William Wycherley, on the 30th of September last— The prisoner went to the shop of the prosecutor, on pretence that he wanted to purchase a waistcoat, remarking at the same time, that he had been robbed in Boughton of his coat and waistcoat. Some clothes were shown to him by the prosecutor, when he endeavoured to extinguish the light in the shop with the head of his pipe.  In an hour after the two men left the shop, she discovered that the trowsers (sic) were missing; a person who was standing near the shop saw the prisoner and his companion pulling something off a shelf, kick them on the floor, and take them out of the shop. This individual, and Silvey a Constable, pursued the prisoners, and apprehended Lloyd and Wycherley in Boughton, in half-an-hour after the robbery; but Wycherley afterwards made his escape The jury returned a verdict of guilty Sentenced to be imprisoned 12 months to hard labour.

Chronicle - Friday 7 November 1828     DISORDERS IN THE ROWS We noticed in our last a public meeting, convened by the Mayor, for the purpose of adopting some efficient measures for suppressing, or at least abating, the nightly disorders to which our city has lately been subject, by the congregating together of disorderly youths and dissolute women, in the Rows, particularly those of Eastgate and Bridge-street. Resolutions were then adopted, which we trust will, in the result, rescue Chester from that disgrace to which it has been deservedly obnoxious, to strangers who visit us, and to the orderly portion of the inhabitants. Four respectable tradesmen or householders, now turn out every night from six to ten o'clock, in addition to the regular police, to preserve decorum, and we are happy to say, that since this procedure has been adopted, a very material change for the better has been observable.— We understand that some refractory Dandies have made themselves ridiculous by a feint to resist the legal authorities, but the way in which the Mayor and Magistrates have met the pertness of several of these gentry, will, we are sure, operate as a cure to themselves, and as a salutary warning to others. It should he known, that these valuable adjuncts to the regular Police are invested with legal authority, as constables, and that resistance to them, is rebellion against the law.  As far as public notoriety will operate upon the disorderlies, whether men or women, they will certainly have the benefit of it, as the magistrates require a daily report of the names of persons behaving unbecomingly, and we pledge ourselves to notice all cases brought before the Magistrates, in the Chronicle every week. But we had much rather see profligacy reformed than punished; and we quote below an extract from the local act, in order to shew under what Circumstances persons of a refractory temper may be made to answer for their conduct:—

" The watchmen and constables appointed by the Commissioners of Police, shall use their best endeavours to prevent and stop, as well all mischief’s happening or likely to happen by fire, burglaries, and robberies, and to secure and apprehend all malefactors, rogues, Vagabonds, whores, night-walkers, and other disorderly and suspected persons, or others disturbing the public peace, or who shall he found idling or wandering about in the night time, or otherwise offending, or misbehaving themselves in any of the manners aforesaid, and to detain and safely keep every such person or persons, so apprehended in custody, and to convey him, her, or them, as soon as conveniently, may be, before the mayor, or recorder, or any one of the justices of the peace in and for the said city, for the time being, in order to be examined and dealt with according to law."

Chester Chronicle - Friday 23 January 1829     Chester Police Court.—Business has been “quite slack" this week in our Pentice Court: neither rogues, millers, drunkards, scolds, or brawling neighbours have disturbed the peace of the city, or called for the friendly interposition, or determined interference of magisterial authority. The only case which was heard on Wednesday was that of George Bentley, who was apprehended by warrant, on a charge of assaulting two watchmen, and breaking Mr. Cooke's windows: this being his third appearance before the Bench in the I same character, he was bound over to answer a bill of indictment at the sessions; but being unable to procure sureties, he was escorted by Speakman out of Court and safely lodged In the stone jug.

CHESTER CITY POLICE COURT. MONDAY, January 30. (Before Dr. R. P. Jones, C. Potts, Esq-, and Major French.)      A Cripple in the Canal. Alfred Taylor, a cripple residing in the neighbourhood Boughton, was brought up under the following circumstances:—P. C. Beresford said yesterday he received to information the effect that a man was drowning in the Canal, opposite the Lead works. He proceeded to the spot, and saw the prisoner in water: requested him to come out, and the prisoner at first refused, but after floundering about like a porpoise for some time, came to the side, and once became the "officer's haul"—Defendent: You see, gintlemen, [sic] a cripple!; a man tripped me and a comrade into the Canal yesterday, and being cripple I could not get out so swift as my companion, and before I could get out the policeman came, and shure [sic] when I saw him I did not like to give myself up until I was obliged. Shure I’d no intention, gintlemen, of drowning myself.—Fined 5s and costs, or three days imprisonment.

"A slight Poke with a Poker."— John Martin, who resides in Rock-yard, Lower Bridge-street, where chronic feuds appear to be fully developed, was charged by P. C Price with being drunk and fighting in Bridge-street, at 9 o'clock last night. He was also charged with striking Mr. William Cartwright, of Dodleston, on the head with a poker, and a severe wound. Mr. Cartwright not appearing, no evidence was offered on that point.—The prisoner said he did not hurt the man; if anything was only a slight poke.—Mr. Hill: He managed to cut the man's head open; that's what he calls only a slight poke with a poker.—A fine of 5s and costs, or 7 days imprisonment, for being drunk and disorderly, was inflicted.— Prisoner: “Begum, I’ve never a  ha'penny; I mun goo to geel. (sic) So saying he was marched off. 

Downs Upon a Pickpocket.—John Wilkison, a young man, who came out of gaol on Saturday, after serving three weeks for some of his light fingered performances, was charged by P. C’s. Bray and Snell, with loitering about the Railway Station at o'clock on Saturday evening, for unlawful proposes.—Mr. Hail:  He was found with this umbrella his possession, and it looks like a “made one." Now he had no umbrella when he was discharged from gaol in the morning, and as this looks like a lady's umbrella, the question is, has he come bi it honestly? —The prisoner said that a telegraphic message was sent from a female friend of his to the Governor of the Gaol, ordering him (the prisoner) to stop at the station until his friend called for him. It was arranged that he should leave Chester by the excursion train to Manchester at 8 o'clock in the evening, and in order that he might not be seen in the town, he had spent the day walking on the City Walls, for he certain if he were seen the public streets amongst the bustling crowds, he would be taken up. The umbrella belonged to the female, who had come over to take him to his friends, and he had taken a railway ticket to return with her, which had been taken from him on being searched, in the office,—The Bench on hearing this statement immediately discharged the prisoner.

Chester Chronicle - Friday 10 April 1829

Flintshire Great Sessions.    CROWN SIDE. Horse Stealing —Thomas Holden, aged 19, was indicted for stealing a gelding, the property of Mr. Thomas Edwards, of Sealand, in the parish of Hawarden, on the 22nd of August last.—The horse was on the salt-marsh, from whence it was taken, and the prisoner, on the same day offered to sell it to Mr. Sneade, timber-merchant, in Chester; that gentleman doubted whether the prisoner had not stolen it, and requested him to procure a note from the person, whom Holden said reared the gelding; and the prisoner, in a little time, returned with a note, purporting to be in the hand-writing of Mr. Murray, of Blacon, but which was soon discovered not to be written by that gentleman. The animal was then delivered up to Mr. Geo. Dawson, Superintendent of Police, in Chester, who afterwards returned it to the prosecutor; and the prisoner was apprehended on the 28th August, about seven miles from Chester, by Monday, the police officer. —The jury found the prisoner guilty; and the Court ordered sentence of death to be recorded against him

            Chester Chronicle - Friday 24 April 1829

CHESTER POLICE COURT. Saturday, April 10 —Present, the Mayor, Aldermen Larden, Newell, and Francis.    We have frequently had occasion to commend the diligence and successfully activity of our regular police, who are ever on the alert, whose vigilance has become been proverbial, and who have lately, in several instances, deservedly rewarded; but we are sorry to say, cannot bestow the same commendation on the constable’s of the wards in this city ;—their conduct, on the contrary, is highly reprehensible, and latterly, on various occasions, when they have been called upon to quell disturbances in the streets, even on the Lord's Day, or to apprehend delinquents, they have invariably made excuses, or absolutely refused to quit their firesides. To their conduct, in permitting prisoners to get drink when they at intervals went out of the Hall, during our Sessions, may be attributed the unheard of, and unseemly sight of beholding prisoners intoxicated before the seat of justice. We are glad to learn that our excellent Chief Magistrate is determined to enforce the utmost penalties of the law against every constable offending or neglecting his duty in future.

Chester Chronicle - Friday 4 September 1829

INDECENT ASSALLT. John Bleads, (47) an ill-looking fellow, was indicted for assaulting Augusta Monday, an infant of five years of age, with a felonious intent. There was another count for a common assault. —Women and children were ordered out of court. Mr. Temple stated the case and called the following witnesses:—Edward Speed—I am a blacksmith, and reside in Whalley's Court, in this City. About half-past seven o'clock in the evening of the 16th of April, I heard the cry of a child, as if in distress. I listened and found it came from a privy in the yard. I went down to the yard—the cries still continued. I tried the door, and found it fast. I put my shoulder to the door and burst it in. I found the prisoner at the bar there with a little child, Augusta Monday on his knee, and his hand on her mouth. [The witness here proceeded to describe the most disgusting particulars, which are unfit to meet the public eye, and excited a strong feeling of indignation throughout the Court.] I dragged the prisoner out, and kept him until he was taken into custody. Mr. J. H. Lloyd cross-examined the witness at considerable length, with a view to impeach his credibility; but it seemed the learned Counsel (guided of course only by his instructions) was mistaken in the identity of the witness. The prisoner was not drunk, but he appeared as if he had had liquor. Charles Morris, a boy, proved seeing the last witness in the act of dragging the prisoner out of the privy, and hold him fast until the child's father (who is a constable) came up and took him away to the House of Correction. Cross-examine by Mr. J. H. Lloyd.—The prisoner seemed confused, and enquired what was the matter, saying he did not mean any harm to the child. Mr. J. H. Lloyd addressed the Jury in an able and feeling speech for the defendant. He was glad, for the honour of human nature, to be able to say that offences of the disgusting nature here charged were not of very frequent occurrence; and it was only charitable to suppose that when they did occur, they were committed under those extraordinary aberrations of intellect, and prostration of all the best feelings of our nature, to which men, when under the influence of liquor, were sometimes subject. This was the case with the unfortunate man at the bar. He on that very day had received his pension and had been drinking freely. He was formerly a Serjeant in the 22nd Regt. and had conducted himself very well while in the army, and since his discharge, until the present instance, as the jury would hear from respectable witnesses. The learned Counsel then commented upon the evidence with a view to shew that (apart from the very tender age of the child) the commission of the capital offence could not have been contemplated by the prisoner; and concluded by imploring them, for the sake of human nature, to put the most charitable construction upon the circumstances under which the prisoner was discovered, and to find him guilty of the common assault only. The jury found the prisoner guilty of the common assault. The Recorder, in passing sentence, animadverted upon the aggravated complexion of the offence of which the defendant had been found guilty, by a most merciful jury, and concluded by sentencing him to be imprisoned for one year, regretting that the Court had not the power to add hard labour to the sentence.

William Lee, and Michael Fogarty, privates in the 67th Regiment, were convicted of an assault on John Drabble, a watchman in his execution of his duty, on Monday night last. The prisoners are both officers' servants, and their masters spoke to their general good conduct—Fogarty one month, and Lee three weeks imprisonment — [Drunken and disorderly soldiers are constantly met with in the streets at night, notwithstanding the perambulations of the picquets.J

Chester Chronicle - Friday 13 November 1829     CHESTER POLICE. SATURDAY, Nov. 7.—Before Aldermen Francis, Morris, Larden, Williamson, Newell, and Rogers. Col. Molyneux and the City Sheriffs.— Caution to Constables. — "Quis custodiet ipsos cutstodes." Two or three of the Constables were complained of by Mr. Dawson for having lost their staffs while on duty, during the late city sessions. It appeared, that during the adjournment of the Court, for the purpose of refreshment, the constables in question adjourned to the Saracen's Head to have a glass of Mrs. Leet's celebrated porter; and not wishing to go in all "the pomp and circumstances" of official dignity, they left their gilded insignia of office in the Court, and somebody made free with them in their absence, They were ordered by the Bench to provide new staffs at their own expense. One of these " unpaid" conservators of the peace of the city quaintly requested that the expense should be stopped out of his next quarter's salary.

Chester Chronicle - Friday 20 November 1829     CHESTER POLICE.  SATURDAY, November 14. —Present, Aldermen Morris, Francis, Larden, and Newell. Zealous Overmuch. — Mc Gee, one of the city watchmen, appeared to answer the complaint of Mr. Hill, for having taken toll at the bars from a country-man, for a potatoe cart, which toll the man was not liable to pay until he brought his cart into the potatoe market, nor had Mc Gee any authority whatever to demand it. McGee pleaded his excessive zeal for the interests of the corporation as his only excuse, and alleged that he demanded this toll to prevent the countryman from evading payment of the market-toll by selling his potatoes in the street, and that he duly paid it over to Jones the market-looker. Jones was called before the bench, and he corroborated this latter part of Mc Gee's statement, an entry of having received 6d from McGee being made with all due formality in his pocket-book. The magistrates thought the circumstances altogether extremely suspicious, and cautioned Mc Gee not to presume to ask for any tolls in future. They also informed the countryman, for the information of all persons attending the markets, that he must not hawk his potatoes about the streets, nor serve people at their own doors, but bring them at once into the market; unless where a quantity had been previously ordered, in which case he would be at liberty to deliver them at the house of the purchaser without paying any market-toll.

Chester Chronicle - Friday 18 December 1829     CHESTER POLICE. SATURDAY, Dec. 15.—Before Aldermen Larden, Newell, Francis, and Williamson. Curious Robbery. — Caroline Burrows, a girl of a common fame, was charged with stealing 33s. the property of Mary Roberts, a dashing young female, on Friday afternoon. Miss Roberts in stating the charge, said, that she was sitting in Mrs. Sellers' house, on the walls, in the afternoon, when Caroline came in; and after a little familiar chit-chat, she proposed to send out for half a pint of coloured spirit, (rum) by way of just wetting their whistles. This was drank and Miss Robert’s thought it was her turn to treat, for which purpose, as she did not wear pockets, she opened her reticule, took her purse out of it, and counted over her money. After despatching a messenger for another half-pint of the cratur, she deposited her purse in the wicker safe again, and placed it upon a table. Burrows, no doubt, kept a longing eye upon the reticule, and it was not long before an opportunity offered for effecting her design. Mrs. Sellers and Miss Roberts happened to go to the door to talk over some private matters; and Mr. Sellers had leaned his head over a chair, taking a refreshing nap. At this very nick of time, Miss Burrows took the reticule off the table, and purloined the purse and its contents. On the return of Mrs. S. and Miss Roberts, Burrows said, she wished to go out for a particular purpose, for a few moments ; but not returning again, and seeing the reticule removed from where it was placed, Miss R. began to suspect some thing was wrong, and on looking for her purse, she discovered that it was gone. The Court asked Sellers to state what he knew of the circumstances; he said that he saw Burrows stoop down where the reticule was found, and he asked her what she was doing? She replied, "only tying my shoe." He was asked how he could see her do that, when he was asleep. Sellers: "Why, I was not exactly asleep;  I was a little overcome, and between sleep and waken; or sleeping with one eye closed and the other open:'  Burrows, in her defence, said that Sellers kept a house of accommodation for ladies; and that she called there one evening with a gentleman. Alderman Bowers: Is that a fact; did a man ever come with her to your house? Sellers : " Yes, Sir, a man did come in with her; but indeed I thought no harm of it, because she said she was a married woman. Ald. Bowers : Did you order him out of your house? Sellers : O no, Sir; I said to him when he came in, “ How you do, Sir, —will you have a little supper? —(great laughter.)—We had only a pint of gin that night amongst us."      The worthy Alderman severely censured Sellers for his conduct. Burrows now told the Court, that Miss Roberts followed the same course of life as herself; and that last week she showed her two bank notes, which, she said, an elderly married gentleman, with grey hair's and a cane, whom Mary Roberts called *********, had given her—(we forbear to repeat the name, not out of tenderness for the hoary sinner himself, but for the sake of his family.) Roberts also told her, that she was as "ladies like to be who love their lords;" and although it was not the old gentleman's, yet he should have it, for she thought he would make a good father for the bantling. Burrows was fully committed to take her trial at next Sessions !     It came out during the hearing of this case, that Miss Burrows lodged at the house of Edwards, alias "'Tom of Lincoln," a watchman, in Gorst Stacks Court, who was charged with keeping a receptacle for ladies of this grade, last week. Edwards was accordingly sent for, and when he appeared before the Court; he told a subtle tale, averring, as he did on the former occasion, that he had but one female lodger in his house; and that he really thought Burrows was a married woman, for she told him she was, though he had never seen her husband. He was informed that his future conduct would be narrowly watched.