DRUGGED IN THE STREET.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXVI, Issue 11056, 6 May 1899, Page 2 (Supplement)

DRUGGED IN THE STREET.

HEAVY SENTENCE ON A NOTORIOUS CARD-SHARPER. Alfred Castle, 32, who described himself as a " card-sharper known all over England," was indicted at Clerkenwell Sessions a few days ago for having stolen a watch and chain from the person of Frederick Street, of Somersham, Hunts. On the evening of February 23 prosecutor was walking from Liverpool-strcot to Brush-field-street, Spitalfields, when two men threw some powder over his mouth and under his nose. This had the effect of rendering him partly unconscious, and he sat down on a'doorstep. The first two men disappeared, and then prisoner and another man came upon the scene. Castle sat down i by the side of Mr. Street, and stole his watch and chain, which he handed to the third man, and they both walked off. Their movements had been closely watched by Police-officers Barnes and Cornish, (We was captured after » run, and he became violent. ■ The other man got away with the stolen watch. Prisoner had some cards specially made for carrying out the "three card trick." Prisoner was found guilty and the- chairman (Mr. McConnoll, Q.O.j sentenced him to five years' penal servitude. He said the case was one of the worst he had tried in London, and that the sentence was one qi the heaviest he had passed for watch robbery. The officers, j Barnes 'and Cornish, were commended for their assistance to justice, and His Lordship 1 hoped it would be a forecast to promotion.