Not Guilty: Alleged Sacrilege: Serious Charge at Exeter: Cathedral Incident: … At the Exeter City Assize yesterday, before Mr. Justice Bucknill, William Luxon, 43, labourer, was indicted for breaking and entering the strong room of the Exeter Cathedral, and attempting to steal, on September 20th. Mr. Percival Clarke appeared for the prosecution and Mr. W. T. Lawrence for the defendant. … (Mr. Luxon worked in the Cathedral. He claimed he had found a box of keys and was trying to establish which locks they were for) … Evidence as to the prisoner’s good character was given by Mr. P. H. Stephens, and Mr. E. R. Pinsent. Mr. Percival Clarke, in addressing the jury, submitted that the evidence in the case showed that on the day in question the prisoner was engaged in an attempt to break into the café and to steal the goods. … Mr. Lawrence, addressing the jury, submitted that the prisoner had no felonious intent when he went to the strong-room, and he was only there out of curiosity … The jury, after an absence of just over half an hour returned a verdict of not guilty and the accused was discharged.
Transcribed in whole or part from scanned originals: Presented with or without modified text and punctuation. For absolute accuracy refer to the original newspapers. Source: The British Newspaper Archive.
Referenced
GRO0275 Bristol: Ernest Reginald Pinsent: 1895 – 1896