The Express.
London, England, 1867-05-07 00:00:00

BOW-STREET.

PELTING AND ATTEMPTING TO NOB SPECIAL CONATABLES.
William Evans, a youth, about 16 years of age, was
brought before Mr. Flowers, charged with stealing a
bundle of papers from the pocket of a gentlemen unknown.
Mr. John Tuckett, of 66, Great Russell-street, book-
binder, stated that last evening be was on duty with a
neighbour, Mr. Cole, as special constables, in Great Russell-
street, Bloomsbury. They noticed the prisoner crossing the
road from Bloomsbury-square to Charlotte-street, follow-
ing a gentleman, and holding up the tail of his coat with
one band, he cook something out of the pocket with the
other, and began to fold itup. He bad a companion with
him. Witness seized him, when he threw something on
the ground, and threw that which he bad taken from the
gentleman's pocket into witness's face. Witness could
not say exactly what it was, but it was
white, and he thought it was a newspaper. It would
be produced. Witness pursued the prisoner into Duke-
street, where as the prisoner was gaining ground, witness
cried Stop thief," and some bystanders stopped him.
They were immediately surrounded by some 50 or 60
" roughs." However, he held the prisoner till a constable
came up. The prisoner said that be had only just come
up ; that he dope nothing at all ; that he had only just
come there ; that he knee, nothing of the attempted
robbery ; and that witness was mistaken as to his identity.
Being asked if he wished to cross-examine the witness,
the prisoner said—l don't see that I have done anything
wrong.
Mr. Joseph James Cole, of 45 Museum-street, builder,
stated that be was also a siti constable, and was with
Mr. Tuckett at the time. e the latter went in pursuit
of the prisoner, witness followed his companion, who, how-
ever, escaped from him. On returning to the spot, he
found &bundle of religious tracts wrapped up in • newspaper.
(A laugh.) This, no doubt, was the booty which the pri-
soner was so ready to throw away.
Mr. Flowers—As far as I can judge from their nature,
I should say that these tracts might be of some use to
him.
(The prisoner made no remark, but from the play of his
features seemed to be amused at the idea of attaching
value or utility to such an acquisition.)
Mr. Cole observed that he had previously suspected and
watched the prisoner.
Mr. Bridges, of Middle-row, Holborn, draper, said he
was also on duty as a special constable, and the pri-
dozier was pointed out to hint as having attempted to
pick his pocket. Afterwards he bad occasion to take in
custody a lad who was accused of pocket-picking, and
would presently be brought up on a charge of assaulting
him. That lad was in company with one whom he be-
lieved to be the tame that escaped from Mr. Cole.
The prisoner was remanded for inquiry into his cha-
racter.
Thomas Murphy was charged with assaulting Mr.
Bridges, and another person not in attendance.
Mr. Bridges said he was on duty about half-past eight
o'clock when the prisoner and another lad were pointed
out to him as having picked • lady's pocket. He de-
tained them till the lady was asked about it, and
as she said she had lost nothing he released them,
saying they might go. The prisoner said to his
companion, " Don't go ; punch his head ;" and as his
companion would not do so he did it himself. Witness
not having mentioned that he was a special constable did
not even then take him in custody until he had told him
so, and desired him to go away. The prisoner refused to
du so, saying he would rather be locked up, and witness
took him into custody. He also struck another person
who 'misted witness.
The prisoner said it was all • lie ; he did not strike the
witness at all. _

Mr. Flowers—lt is very odd that the moment a man
becomes a constable he tells so many stories.
Prisoner—l di.' not know he was • constable.
Mr. Cole—l dare say he did not. If I thought be did I
should have taken him then.
Mr. Flowers would not treat it as an assault an • con-
stable, but he must find bail for his good behaviour for
three months.

The prisoner's father was bound for him in 5/.
William John on was fined 40s , or one calendar month,
for annoying and assaulting special constables at the en-
trance of the Vestry-hall of ht. Paul's, Covent-garden, by
hooting, pelting, and hustling them as they entered to be
sworn, and came out after complying with that form.

MARLBOROUGHSTREET.
HYDE-PARK CHAMP-N._

There were but four charges from Hyde-park brought
before Mr. Tyrwhitt, and they were as follows :
Julia Case and Charts Frazer, two rough-looking fel-
lows, were charged with gambling in Hyde-park.
Sergeant Edward Langley of the detective force, said
that about 8 o'clock last night he was in Hyde-park, and
saw about a dozen persona playing at a game somewhat
similar to roulette, a cover printed similar to a roulette
table and surrounded with horses being placed on some
beards, and there being in the centre a hand like that of a
clock working on a pivot. lie got the assistance of other
officers. and as soon as the prisoners saw them coming they
ran off, but he managed to secure Cane with the cover
and board under his arm.
In answer to Mr. Tyrwhitt,
Sergeant Langley said that he had seen Cane putting
money down, calling at the same time two to one on a cer-
tain horse painted on the cloth.
Police-constable Lot Sawyer, 175 31, having given evi-
dence against Fraser,
Cane said that he had nothing to do with the table ; he
was given one shilling by a man for taking it home.
Mr. Tyrwhitt said the evidence did not appear to fix
Frazer, and he would be discharged. Whilst that co.irt
existed the parks should not be a nuisance to decent people,
and as he considered the prisoner Cane fell within the
meaning of the Vagrant Act, he would be committed for