Saturday 16 Jan 1819 (p. 2, col. 6 – p. 3, col. 2) COUNTY SESSIONS. The Christmas Quarter Sessions for the County, commenced at Cockermouth on Tuesday last, before Major YATES, chairman, and a Bench of fifteen Magistrates. There was a great deal of business: the following is the only part of it of public importance.— John LITTLE was put to the bar, charged with stealing a gown, slip, and frock, the property of Elizabeth TORDIFF, of Whitehaven. He pleaded not guilty. Mr. COURTENAY stated the case to the jury, and called the following witnesses to substantiate it. Elizabeth TORDIFF examined. On the 17th of Nov. last, her servant washed a cotton gown, a cotton frock, and a slip; they were hung out to dry in the yard opposite to her house in Whitehaven. About five o'clock they were missing. In consequence of something which she heard, she went with KISSUCK, the constable, to the house of Hannah THOMPSON. Hannah THOMPSON remembers the prosecutor and KISSUCK coming to her house for some linen; she had received it from the prisoner the Tuesday before, between five and six o'clock; she bought it of him for 2s.; she showed it to Mrs. TORDIFF. KISSUCK, the constable, stated that he went with the prosecutor to the house of THOMPSON, who produced the goods, and Mrs. TORDIFF indentified them as her property. The Court severely reprimanded Han. THOMPSON for her conduct, and the Bench, generally, expressed the strongest disgust at it; it is such characters as she, it was observed, who lead many a young man to the gallows: one Gentleman said that he would rather have seen her at the bar, than the prisoner. The Jury found the prisoner Guilty, and the foreman expressed his regret that they could not punish THOMPSON. Transported seven years. Elizabeth BELL was charged with having in her possession and uttering base money. Joseph ELLIOTT keeps a stall under the Moot Hall, Cockermouth, and sells calicos, &c. The prisoner came to him on Monday last and bought a small piece of calico, for which she paid him one shilling in silver, and two-pence in copper. She went to another part of the stall, and chose a piece of mixture, for which she paid 2s. 2d.; she then bought 1¼ yard more, off the same piece, and paid 1s. 4d. for it—she paid all together, in silver, and some cooper, and then went away. In consequence of what was said by John ISMAY, witness looked at his silver, and found four bad shillings; he had before about seven shillings in his pocket, and believes all were good. The prisoner was then brought back, and she immediately asked, "Have I given you some bad silver?" Witness said yes; on which she replied, "I will leave my bundle with you, and get you some good." She further said, that she had had a note changed when she bought some shoes, but would not say when. While this conversation was going on, she dropped about five or six shillings of bad money. ISMAY took them up—they were bad—and like those she had before paid to witness. John ISMAY was present at ELLIOTT's stall on Monday and saw that the money was bad which the prisoner paid to ELLIOTT. The prisoner was brought back, and she told witness that she had got the money from a man who travelled with cloth, in changing a note. When witness brought the prisoner back to the stall, he observed her shuffle with her hands under her cloak, and drop a 3s. piece, and three shillings in silver, which he picked up. The prisoner took some of the money from her pocket, and some from a place in the breast of her gown; she also took some other silver from amongst a small quantity of tobacco. Robert JACKSON, constable, took the prisoner in custody, and searched her. She had some base coin in her hand which she refused to give up, and it was taken from her: it was neatly packed, that it might not rub. Mr. Geo. GRAHAM proved the money to be spurious. The Jury found the prisoner Guilty of having possession of and uttering base money. Sentenced to one year's imprisonment, and to find sureties for good behaviour for two years longer. John M'CARTNEY was indicted for stealing two guinea notes, 16 half-crowns, and a piece of breeches cord, the property of Richard ROSE. Mr. COURTENAY addressed the Jury at some length, and detailed the particulars of the case as they appear in the evidence. Richard ROSE sworn. On Tuesday the 1st of Dec. he had in his box, two notes, and 15 half-crowns; that day he locked the box and is sure the property was then in it. The Prisoner and his wife came to lodge with him; they lodged there two nights, and slept upstairs: and they could not get to their room without seeing his box. On the Friday, he lost the money, except a few shillings. He then went to Whitehaven, saw KISSUCK, the constable, and found the prisoner in bed at his lodgings, asleep. KISSUCK went with the prosecutor to the prisoner's lodgings, and found a bundle lying on a chair by the bed-side, which consisted of breeches cord, tied with tape; this the prisoner's wife said was her's in the presence of the prosecutor; the prisoner himself was in bed asleep; the money and the notes were found on the prisoner's wife. The Prosecutor identified the cord. The Prisoner called WILSON, a bailiff, to speak to his character; but he knew nothing more of him, than that he once whitewashed his house. Guilty.—Nine months' imprisonment in Carlisle gaol. [to be continued]