At the MIDDLESEX SESSIONS, on Momlay , William Peals, James Peals'
Thomas Hilmore, and James Smith, were indicted for hating conspired to rob and murder jonathan Brown; and in another count Hihnore was charged with having incited John itay to murder the prosecutor. It appeared from the evidence of Ray, that the prisoners had formed a plan to murder and rob Mr. Brown, who resides at Vanage, and who they believed always carried a large sum of money in his pocket. They had several meetings on the subject ; and the plan was that they were to way-lay the old gentleman on his grounds, Fillmore was to shout hint, and then they were to effect the robbery. Ray had given information of the scheme at Worship-street Police-office ; and the whole party were arrested in a tavern at Orsett, while sitting brooding over their diabolical purpose.' It also came out that the prisoner Smith had had a dispute with Mr. Brown about eighteen months before; and on that occasion he threatened that lie should not live much longer at Vanage—that he would do his business. Smith had also been heard to say that Jonathan Brown could be easily disposed of by two London chaps. who would finish him off in such a way that he should never be heard of again. The prisoners, it seems, had other " jobe " of the same kind to do in that neighbourhood, after they had despatched Mr. Brown. One of their intended ,ictims was Mr. Turner of Shadwell-place, Vanage; a person named Smith was another • and a third an old gentleman of eccentric habits at Islington. The two first were to he " Burked " and buried secretly. The prisoners were all found Guilty. Three of them were sentenced to he imprisoned and kept at hard labour for three years ; and the lenient sentence of one year's imprisonment was awarded to the other on account of his youth.
Thomas Cooke was convicted of a wanton assault on two little girls, and sentenced to one year's imprisonment and hard labour. • William Elsden, a private in the Grenadier Guards, was convicted of ob- taining money from publicans in Westminster by means of forged billets. In one case he obtained five and in another two shillings. For the first offence he was sentenced to three months' imprisonment, and an additional week was added for the other entice.
Esther Hihner and Ann Robinson were indicted for assaulting Susan Whitby and other pauper children. The child was an apprentice in the em- ployment of the prisoner and her mother, who was hanged on Monday for murder. The evidence was of the same nature as that given upon the trial for murder; and developed a system of cruelty towards the children, of the most revolting kind. Both the prisoners were found guilty. Hibner was sentenced to a year's imprisonment in the House of Correction ; as Robinson acted in the capacity of a servant, her sentence was only four months' impri- sonment.
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