440. PETER WARRINGTON proceedingsdefend was indicted for feloniously stealing, on the 6th of June , a poundand a quarter of linen yarn, value 2s. the property of Thomas Bolt proceedingsvictim .

JOHN WALKER < no role > sworn.

Mr. Bolt is a wharfinger , I am a gangsman on the quays: I detected the prisoner on the 6th of June; I saw a number of soldier s standing round a vat; I stood upon the wharf, and in consequence of an information I went round to see if I could detect the man, and when I came round these men the prisoner had got his right arm in the vat, which contained a quantity of yarn, the property of some merchants; it had been there some time; I took hold of him with his right arm in the vat; he said he had got none; but I had observed him several times draw his arm out before I came up to him; and I looked under his coat and observed a quantity tucked under his coat; I immediately called for assistance, and sent for an officer; the vat was broke open; it appeared to have been cut by a knife, but I did not see the man do it; it is a very common thing for goods to lay upon the quays.

Q. Do you know this to be a parcel of any yarn that was in the vat? - A. I am certain of it; I compared it, and it is the same kind of yarn exactly; I stood behind him a considerable time before I took hold of him, and saw him draw something out of the vat several times, and tuck under his coat, thought I did not see that it was yarn.

Q. This is of very trifling value, I suppose? - A. The value is not more than 2s. but the object of Mr. Bolt in prosecuting, is, that we are repeatedly harrassed.

WILLIAM WELCH < no role > sworn.

I am a constable upon the quays; I was sent for to take charge of this man, (produced the yarn), it was delivered to me by Mr. Walker.

Walker. This is the yarn that I delivered to the constable; that in the vat was of the same quality.

Prisoner's defence. I was coming across the wharf, and a great many people were standing by this vat; I was intoxicated in liquor, in passing through these people some of them hit me upon the head with this yarn, and told me it would serve my wife for a mop; and I told them to take it themselves, and then I was laid hold of; it is the first time I ever had any thing laid to my charge; my master has been waiting here ever since Wednesday morning, that I worked for four years; and my serjeant, that I have been in the regiment with six years, but we did not expect the trial to come on after six o'clock.

GUILTY , (Aged 22.)

Confined one month in the House of Correction , and fined 1s.

Tried by the London Jury, before

The LORD CHIEF BARON.