Transcription
LAMBETH.
ROBBERY OF MR. WIDDICOMBE.—Mary Ann Cook, a well-dressed and modest looking female, who described herself as a dress-maker, was charged with robbing the immortal Widdicomb, the Monarch of the Equestrian Ring, of a handkerchief of the value of 2s. From the evidence of the prosecutor it seemed that on the night before, or, rather, on that morning, he was enjoying a glass with a friend at the Stags, when the prisoner snatched his handkerchief from his breast pocket. He requested that she would return it, but she at first denied taking it, and left the house. He followed her, and observing that she had dropped it in the street, he gave her into custody. The prisoner, in defence, declared that Mr. Widdicomb had had share of a glass of gin-and-water with her, and had presented her with the handkerchief, saying at the time that it had a sovereign tied up in the corner. Mr. Widdicomb indignantly denied the statement that he had drank with the prisoner, and declared that no amount of money would have induced him to part with the handkerchief, which he said had been presented to him by a cousin, an officer in the army, who had fallen during the Caffre war. When asked if he was quite sober at the time, Mr. Widdicomb declared he was, and in proof of this fact said he had been up that morning at nine o’clock and enjoyed a good breakfast. The policeman, however, swore that Mr. Widdicomb was decidedly drunk, and on hearing this Mr. Norton dismissed the prisoner, with a serious caution as to her future conduct. Mr. Widdicomb left the Court commending his worship’s liberality.
