Union Hall.

[Ann Knott, a servant girl]

On Tuesday Ann Knott, a servant girl, was brought before Mr. Chambers, charged with a robbery in the house of Mr. Lightfoot, of Camberwell

It appeared that the prisoner had obtained a situation in the complainant's family by means of a fictitious character given her in writing. She had not been more than three weeks in her situation when Mrs. Lightfoot, having accidentally left her purse, containing six sovereigns, on the parlour table, when she was going out, and on her return immediately discovered that one out of the number was taken. Suspicion was excited against the prisoner, but she resolutely denied the theft, upon which the key of her box was demanded, which she reluctantly gave up, and on searching it upwards of 30l. of Mr. Lightfoot's property, consisting of a dressing case and various other articles, were found concealed therein. Upon this discovery the prisoner, who was standing by at the time, fell upon her knees, implored forgiveness, and immediately drew forth the sovereign taken from the purse, acknowledging her guilt, and admitting at the same time that she had obtained the situation by a fictitious character. In the prisoner's possession was found a letter from her sweetheart, vowing eternal fidelity, and ending with a broad hint for money, which he said he then stood so much in need of.

The Magistrate, on perusal of the epistle, remarked that he thought all along there was a man at the bottom of the business, who encouraged her to rob her master, and that opinion was confirmed by the letter just read. The prisoner was committed.