The Express.
London, England, 1847-07-27 00:00:00

YPOLICE.- 6STERDAT.

BOW•STREET.—Assartv AT von ITALIAN OPERA.
Mr. John Mille was charged with assaulting Mr. Dogsld
Campbell in the pit of the Italian Opera, Covcntgardeo.—
The complainant said that on Saturday evening he was
in the pit at Covent-garden, shortly before the com-
mencement of the performance, when be observed a lady
standing near him. He offered her his seat, and she was
about to take it, when another gentleman, who had laid his
hat cn a vacant seat, took it off, and offered the seat to the
lady. She accepted it, and complainant was about to sit
down again in his own place, when the prisoner
attempted to occupy it. Complainant put out his
hand to check him, and the prisoner made 1
blows at him with a large stick which he carried in his
hand, at the game time making use of obtain language,
and giving him • blow in the breast, from which he still
felt considerable inconvenience.—Mr. Mills said that the
complainant pushed him violently away from the seat, and
hurt his foot. He was labouring under a severe attack of
goat, and suffered intense anguish at the time. He wee pro-
voked to the assault described, but he denied the abusive
language he was charged with.—Mr. Jardine said that Mr.
Campbell had evidently acted with perfect propriety from
beginning to end. He would fine the prisoner 31., which
was paid immediately.
ASSAULT PT • CLERGYMAN.— The Rev. Ridley Bray, a
clergyman of the established church, residing at No. 7,
Manchester-street, Manchester-square, who gave the ficti-
tious name of John Smith, was on Saturday charged by Con-
stable Philips, 103 A, with improperly assaulting several
females in Parliament-street and Whitehall.—The constable
stated that about eight o'clock in the evening he saw the
prisoner going up Parliament-street towards Charing-cross,
when he drove himself in a rude manner against five females
who were passing.—The prisoner said as none of the females
had come forward to prefer any complaint he considered
that the officer was over zealous in his duly, interfering
with him for what had happened in the most accidental
manner.—ln answer to the court, Inspector Stephers
said that the prisoner appeared perfectly sober when
brought to the station. The constable said the prisoner
might have passed without obstructing any one, and in
indention to the females alluded to he distinctly saw
him place his band on a lady's person in an improper man-
ner. Another was obliged to posh him from her, after try-
ing to avoid him for some yards, and two others were
assaulted in an improper manner. When the prisoner was
' near Charing-cross, witness saw him stretch out his arms to
embrace two females who were passing, and took him into
custody. He bad been occasionally within three yards of
the prisoner, and wore his uniform, to answer the call of any
person who might require his assistance. Mr. Henry said I
that a series of offences against public decency had been I
clearly proved, although no one had come forward to
support the stati meat of the officer, and it was not to be won-
dered at that females felt reluctance to give evidence on such
occasions. The inspector informed the court, that in addition to
the wrong name the prisoner had given a wrong address. Mr.
Scott, who resides in Northumberland, and occasionally at
No. 1, Manchester-street, said he knew the prisoner to have
held a curacy at Emden, near Shields, and also ono at Mars-
den, in Kent —Mr. Henry said that he could not believe
that the evidence was incorrect without imputing perjury to
the officer, and he was obliged to treat the matter in a sum-
mary way, in the absent of any person appearing to com-
plain against the prisoner. He therefore called upon prisoner
to find bail, himself in 1001,, and two sureties in 501. each, to
be of good behaviour for three calendar months.—The re-
quired sureties not being in attendance, he was sent to
Totbill-fields Prison.
ROBRIRY AT THE EARL OF lIARRINGTON'S.—WiIIiam
Wiltshire and Matthew Roach, two sweeps, were
charged with committing • burglary at the house of
the earl of Harrington on the morning of the 20th
instant, and stealing property amounting to upwards of
12001.—Francis Stringer, his los dahip's porter, stated that
shortly after three o'clock in the morning, while in bed,
hearing a cry of " sweep," he got up and let in two persons
having the appearance of sweeps.—A policeman apprehended
the prisoner Wiltshire on Friday morning in Oxford-street,
when he said that he knew nothing about the robbery, and
that he could prove having been at work at 65, Lower
Grosvenor-street when the robbery was committed; but at
the station-house he said it was in Davies-street he was em-
ployed. Witness could not identify the other prisoner.—
John Payne, his lordship's butler, said he missed the pro-
perty about eight o'clock in the morning; hut the other
servants had previously missed it, and thought it was being
I cleaned. Various articles of plate were taken from his lord-
ship's bed-room and from her ladyship's bed-room and dress-
ing-room. The property stolen was valued at 2001.;
there were no chimneys swept on the morning in question,
but a candle was found burning in the servants'
hall, with the fender removed, to make it appear that some
person had been engaged in sweeping the chimneys.—Seth
Thomas, a private in the Grenadier Guards, proved
that he mounted guard on the 19th, and was posted
at four o'clock on the following morning opposite to his lord-
ship's residence. Shortly after his attention was drawn to
the house by hearing the gates close,when he saw two sweeps
come out, one of whom carried a bag, and from the immense
size of it being induced to observe them more closely, they
stopped. The bag, which was carried by Roach, was not
of the ordinary description, and was very heavy, but he could
not speak as to the identity of the other prisoner.—They
were ordered to be remanded.
CLERKENWELL.—DanieI Waddy Was re-examined,
charged with being possessed of 200 sovereigns, which it was
suspected he had come by dishonestly.—l n reply. to Mr. Combs,
Inspector Gibbs, said that he had made inquiries with respect
to the truth of the prisoner's allegation that he had found the
money, but had tailed in gaining any satisfactory infor-
mation upon the subject —A solicitor, who attended on the
part of the prisoner, demanded his immediate diacharge, and
also that the money, amounting to 1941., which had been
taken from his box by the policeman, should be delivered
up to him. The only pretensions that could exist for
detaining the money was upon the ground of its being
considered " treasure trove," and he contended that it could
nut be looked upon in this light, inasmuch uit was money
abandoned on the public highway, and had not been dropped
by a felon, nor washed on shore by the sea.—Mr. Combo
said, if the money was to be considered treasure trove, it
became the property of the crown. He did not consider
himself justified, as the facts of the case now stood, in
making any order with respect to its disposal, It must for
the present, therefore, remain in the hand' of the police.
However, as no further evidence was forthcoming against
the prisoner, so far as the original charge of felons, was con-
cerned, he should order him to be discharged.—The prisoner
then left, the sum of 1941. found in the box being still in
the hands of Inspector Gibbs.

WORSHIP-STREET.-11ftRDIROIIII AIISAULT.—IriI
liam Sheen, who was, 16 or 18 years ago, tried atthe Old Bailey
for cutting his child's head off, was charged with an assault
upon a female.—Policeconstable 210 H stated that, about
12 o'clock last night, his attention NM called to the house
No. 8, Gate-street, Spitalllelds, where he found the remula
alluded to lying upon the floor in the passage weltering in
her blood. There was a deep wound in her band, from
which blood wee still profusely flowing, and with which her
clothes were completely saturated. The woman said, " Sheen
has cut me with • knife." Witness bound up the
wound and conveyed the woman to the hospital. Wit-
ness had seen her this morning, and she expressed her
determination not to preaccu'e. She was extremely weak
but there did not appear, although ore of the arteries had
been severed, to be any immediate danger.—Prisoner: I wish
she was present ; should then most likely be enabled to
prove that I used no knife at all. I own that I beat her, and
most richly she deserved it —Mr. Hammill, the 'sitting ma-
gistrate, Laid that the prisoner should have his Wish, as he
would compel the attendance of the unfortunate woman. It
was a cue far too serious fur him to adjudicate upon without
the fullest investigation. He should, therefore, remand the
prisoner for a week, in order to give time fur the appearance
of the necessary witnesses.
1.1 A RLBOROUGH- STRRET. Cassino e Rao et, -
TIONiI AT THE ITALIAN OPERA.—Edward Common,
man to the French ambassador, was charged with breaking
the rank, and refusing to obey the police regulations, at the
Italian Opera, in the Haymarket.—Mr. Bingham said be
had not the power of interfering with the servants of foreign
ambusadon • he must, therefore, discharge him, but should
order the inspector to Im with the prisoner to the anthem-
does, and explain to his excellency the nature of the charge
against the defendant, when no doubt he would be punished
or discharged from his situation.—The prisoner then left the
court, in company with Inspector Squire, who wes ordered
to explain the regulations to his excelleacy.
FRACAS AT THE OPERA.—MT. William Bingham, a mem-
ber of the Reform Club, attended to prefer a charge of as-
mutt against William Knight, one of tke checktakers at her ,
Majesty's Theatre. Complainant stated, that on Thursday
evening last he went to the Opera-house in company with
four other persons, having previously taken a box for five,
and paid for it. He was delayed flr a few minutes,
and the rest of his party had passed through, giving the
tickets for five, and pointing complainant out to the cheek.
taker as the fifth. Complainant attempted to pass in,
but wee stopped and asked (or his ticket : he replied that
it wu alraidy given. He was Liked the number of his
box, and said he believed it was 18 or 81, but pointed to the
box his friends had entered. Complainant was not allowed
to pus, and went and sat down in a recess for two or three
minutes ; he then again applied, and was refined admittance,
and was laughed at. Ile said that if he remained there
he should lase the beginning of the opera, and hey,
pushed through, when he was immediately bustled by two
or three person', and defendant seized him. At that
moment two of complainant's friends cams out to see what
detained him. Complainant explained the circumstances
and then entered the box, his friends going out to remon-
strate with the persons who had prevented his entering.
They were several times during the evening annoyed by
persona coming to the box, and saying that a person had
entered without a ticket, although they were assured by some
of the party that he had purchased the ticket at Sams' library.
—Defendant mid that; the gentleman presented himself for
admission, and he, of course, asked for his ticket; complainant
said he had no ticket, but his friends, who had get a box,
had pound en. Complainant did not know the number of
Os box, Defendant said he could not admit him without
a ticket, but would send some person and endeavour
to find out the box his friends were in. Complain-

ant instantly became much irritated, said be would I
not wait • minute, and commenced forcing his way through
the gate. Defendant put his arms out to prevent him, and
whiU in that position complainant thrust his opera glees is
defendant's face and gave him • revere bluw with it, and
with his other fist struck him a bard blow on the
bask of the head. Complainant's violence did not end there,
for after he bad forced his way through the gate he dealt
him another blow. Complainant's friends heanng the noise,
opened the box door and him in. Four or five wit.
nesoes were produced by grtliliertlendant, who confirmed his
account of the transaction. Two of them positively declared
that they beard the defendant tell the complainant that if
he would wait a minute he would send to find his friends.— '
Mr. Bingham was clearly of opinion, upon complainant's
own showing, that the defendant was perfectly justified us
the assault he had committed. It was his duty to
prevent any person passing without their checks. Ile
should dismiss the complaint, and perhaps it would be as
well, under the circumstances, for the complainant to enter '
into his own recognisance; to keep the peace.—Complainant
entered into his recognisance,.
THAMES.—ATTEMPT TO kiL'lDEL.—Edwin Coldgrore
was charged with having attempted to cut the throat of his
wife. Mrs. Coldgrave, who gave her evidence in a very con-
fused and reluctant manner, stated that within the last six
weeks her husband had frequently threatened to " do for her."
On Saturday evening he came in tipsy, and began using
foul language towards her. She accused him of being drunk;
to which he replied, with an awful oath, " I'll cut your
throat. At last he jumped up in a great fury, and said
"Now, I'll show you that I will be as good as my word; " and
seizing • large tatle-knife, he advanced upon her, declaring
that he would cut her throat and settle her. She screamed
for assistance, and her landlady coming in, she wrested the
knife from him.—Mary Randall, the landlady, corroborated
the evidence—The prisoner, in his defence, said his wife was
a very drunken, dissipated woman, who bad made away
with •B his property.—Mrs. Randall could not deny but that
the prisoner's statement was substantially correct, and that
Mrs. Coldgrave was tipsy from morning till night —Mr.
Yardley required the prisoner to find two good and substan-
tial securities to keep the peace towards his wife for six
vionths.—The prisoner, not being provided with the requi-
site bail, was locked up in default.
MURDEROCB AIOIAOLT.—Joseph Curry, a sailor, was
charged with wounding John Wilson. with intent to
do him some grievous bodily harm. They were lodging
together. On Sunday evening they had some dispute,
the result of which was that they agreed to fight, and in
the scuffle Wilson received several violent blows in his left
side, and one en his head, when he discovered that his oppo-
nent had a knife in his hand, and at the same time the
blood came pouring over his face from the wound in his
head. The prisoner exclaimed " I have done for you." I
The prosecutor was conveyed to the London Hospital, I
where his wounds were dressed.—R. S. Kelly, who wit-
nessed the occurrence, corroborated this evidence, and
added that when he saw the serious nature of the injuries the
prosecutor had received he went in pursuit of the pri-
soner."l have done for Wilson."
Wit-
nessdetainedwnerho said
him till a policeman came, when be gave him
into custody.—Police constable H 17 apprehended the pri-
soner, and produced a large clasp- knife, the instrument with
which the injuries had been inflicted. It was such a one as
sailors generally carry with them.—Mr. Nash, house sur-
geon at the London Hospital, deposed that on Sunday
night he was called on to attend Wilson. He found •
large wound on the left side of hie head, about four inches
in length, and which penetrated at one part to the bone.
Yesterday morning, on • further examineion, be found an.
other wr nod in his hip about three inches in length, and
six inches in depth. The wound in the head was dangerous,
and the other wu likely to cause grievous bodily harm.—
The prisoner, in his defence, merely declared that he had
never used the knife.—He was fully committed for trial.
SMCOOLINO.—HEATT PENALTY.—Rob. Jackson, steward
of the ship Superior, in the London-dock, was charged on a
Custom-house informatioa with smuggling 9lbe of foreign
manufactured tobacco, by which he bad incurred a penalty
of 1001. The prisoner was seen by an officer named Fox,
a Thames police-inspector, to enter the shop of a tobacconist
named Jacob Penn, in Ratcliff-highway, early yesterday
morning. He had a bundle in his hand, and he walked,
through the shop into the back parlour and began to un- '
fasten the bundle in the presence of Penn, the shopkeeper.
Fox immediately entered, on which the shopkeeper ex-
claimed, I'll have none of that stuff here, take it away."
F,'x took possession of the bundle, which contained Alba. of
tobacco. The prisoner said be was the steward of the Su-
perior, and Fox went on board that vessel, which has just
arrived from the Havana, and found is the cabin 3tbs.
more of tobacco, which the prisoner said was his. Jackson
pleaded guilty Mr. Yardley sentenced him to pay a fine of
1001., and to be imprisoned till it was paid.