Huntingdon Lent Assizes

Huntingdon Lent Assizes

An Example of an Assizes Court

HUNTINGDON LENT ASSIZES

Mr Justice Byles opened the Commission on Thursday evening. On Friday morning he attended divine service at All Saints' Church accompanied by Mr Justice Blackburn, where the assize sermon was preached by the Sheriff's Chaplain.

CROWN COURT

[Before Mr. Justice Blackburn]

The Grand Jury was composed of the following gentlemen :- Col. the Hon. O. Duncombe, M.P.; J.M. Heathcote, J. Linton, P. Tillard, G. Thornhill, J. Vipan, G.J. Ansley, W.W.W. Humbley, A. Sperling, J.D. Green, D. Herbert, G.J. Rust, H.G. Rooper, R.Margetts, R. Bates, M. Foster, F.C. Armstrong, J.V. Kelley, F. Green, P.E. Tillard, E. Fellowes, M.P., J.Rust and P. Brown Esqrs.

The usual formalities having been completed, his Lordship proceeded to deliver his charge to the Grand Jury. He said the calendar contained the names of few prisoners as to whose cases he should offer any remarks, for he saw among the Grand Jury many with whom he had not only practised but learned the criminal law nearly 40 years ago. He regretted to find that the number of prisoners in the gaol at the present time was greater than it had been for the last ten years. He referred to the cases of Housden, Blowfield and Richardson, and then dismissed them to their duties.

Stealing Boots

John Skelton, 37, labourer, was indicted for stealing a pair of boots, the property of John Hinson, at Long Orton. Mr Heathcote prosecuted. Prisoner was undefended. It appears that the prisoner and prosecutor were in a public-house together, when the former took the latter's boots off his feet whilst he was asleep, and sold them to a shoemaker at Peterborough. Guilty. 12 months' imprisonment.

House Breaking at Yaxley

William Roult, 25, labourer, was indicted for breaking into the dwelling house of Robert Nicholls and stealing various articles. Mr Heathcote prosecuted, and prisoner, who pleaded not guilty, was defended by Mr Cockerell. This was a case of circumstantial evidence. The housekeeper of Mr Nicholls fastened the house up securely at night, and on the following morning the back kitchen door was found broken open, several pigs' cheeks, a piece of pork, some bread and cheese and other things were missing. Prisoner was seen in the locality, and one of his shoes corresponded with footprints that were found on the premises. The police discovered the articles in the tops of some old trees in a field not far from the place of the robbery. The jury found the prisoner guilty, and the learned Judge sentenced him to be imprisoned for 12 months.