The Express.
London, England, 1860-12-08 00:00:00

BOW-STREET.

A more than usual number of auditors crowded the body
and peerages of the court during a great portion of the
morning in consequence of a rumour having oeen spread
abroad to the effect that • member of a volunteer ride corps
bad male a murderous attack on a comrade with a sword
bayonet. This ridiculous story orginated in the fact that a
man engaged as porter and armourer to the several corps
drilling at Huagerford-hall had been charged with drawing
• bayonet on a member of the London Irish oorps, but
there was no foundation for either of the two principal as-
sertions, that defendant was himself • rifleman, or Una he
had inflicted any injury with the weapon. The case oc-
cupied the attention of the court at intervals throughout
the day, being several times adjourned for further evidence.
The defendant, Janus Eketpoey, had formerly been in the
army and more recently in the pol'oe, and was employed at
Hungerford-hall by the London Irish Brigade, the Mouth
Middlesex, and the Six Foot Volunteer Guards. He was
charged with assaulting Mr. Cox, a member of the London
Irish Brigade.
Mr. Cox stated that at about half-past eight o'clock on
Thursday night, having left Weetmiaster-hall with several
ether members of the London Irish, after drilling there, they
proceeded to Hangerford-hall, to hear the• band of them
company play at nine o'clock. They were in uniform. They
were there considerably before the time, and fount the
South Middlesex practising their drill. Wishing to look on
at the drill of the South Middlesex while waiting for their
own band, who would osenniemse when the others had left,
he asked defendant, who wee keeping the door, if the hall was
open to volunteers. He replied that it was, and witness
him, and descended the stain towards the room. He
only got a few steps down when defendant followed
him, and arid he must turn back and go out. He refused
to do so, and defendant, after athimptim; to push him out,
went to the armoury of the Six Foot Volunteer Guar* and
returned with a bayonet, threatening to " drive him oat at
the point of the bayonet." An officer of the South Mid.
dime' took the bayonet from him, but he returned with
another, and repeated the threat. The officer of
the South Middlesex begged him not to use the
weapon, but he said he had a duty to perform,
and he would do it. He was exceedingly violent, end
was only restrained from doing witness • mischief by
the interference of the officer of the South Middlesex, who
took the second bayonet away from him. Before be fetched
the bayonet, he hail, in attempting to put witness out, torn
his uniform great cost or cape, which was damaged to the
amount of about 18s. It was the pretties of volunteers to
go into any Owe where other volunteers were being drilled.
Several other volunteers of the London Irish, and Loudon
Scottish corps deposed that they were with eumplain.int
and were about to enter with him, and confirmed the state-
ment of complainant. One of the officers of the South
Middlesex requested thereto waive the point and go away, to
avoid further disturbance, which they did. Complainant
gave Dempsey into custody.
Defendant said he bail been instructed not to admit the
Loudon Irish while the other corps were drillin-, as on a
recent occasion their entry had created ,sine confuLon. He
denied that lie had threatened complainant with the
bayoute. He was only returning thee,, weapons to their
owners, who had left them iu his care. But he contended
that he would have been justified if he Lad done so, as a '
sentry might use a bayonet to any man who attempted to
pass his pest.
Mr. Henry removed with him on the impropriety of so 1
violent acoune,erce if he were right :n excluding them ; but
the defendant iirgeed the point with great pertinacity, and
appealed to thiptain Cartwright, of the South Middlesex, and
to Mr. Comyn, of the Six Foot Guards.
Those gentlemen were sent for, and etientled in the course
of the day. They gees defendant • high character for
general good conduct mid civility, but utterly repudiated
the notion that he wait justified in excluding members of
the Loudon Irish. On mime exceptional oociudoaa the
°Sons of the corps in possession of the hall gave instr ic.
times that members of other carp e should not be admitted ;
hut this was not the ease on Thursday, and if it were de-
fendeut would not be justified in using violence.
Defendant now tidnutted himself in the wrong, offering
to pay for the dionsge he had done and apolomse, which
Mr. Cox ace-pted; end the case was adjourned, that the
arieugement should he carried out.
here wee am. they elistrie. ii...ainst him for estimating one
of the ionii et the Irob, which was rlsetdjoureed.
lie WAS liberated on bail.

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