The Express.
London, England, 1866-05-19 00:00:00

THE POLICE COITRTS.
(THIS DAY.)

WORSHIP-STREZT.
sidaliTlNO LILY.
Wa411114 Berko:, apparently under 20, and Alias Barker
Ms wife, who said her age was now 18, thine before the
port under the following circumstanee*:
The wife stated that they had been married since ;
'he had bitterly regretted it shortly and was
sow fully resolved to have a separation.
Magistrate—What has he done ?
Wife—What has he not done? Why on the 7th of this
month he got me into the passage, struck me with his fist
iistween the eyes (one eye exhibited a bruise), and then
oh out s knife and swore that he world cut my throat.
Magistrate—What was the cause of that ?
Wife—Oh, he ill-treats me generally.
magistrate—What is he ?
Wife—A shoemaker, and can earn from 30a. to 35e. a
seek, and yet look at me. These are all the things I have
m wear, and they were given by one person and another.
fie has kept me without food, and says that if I get him
punished he will buy a pistol and shoot me. I'm deter-
mined that I will not live with him. On one occasion he
*ruck the baby, and then hit me. No, its not any use; I
won't live with him any longer.
Magistrate—Where do you live?
Wife—ln Lassada-street, Bethnal-green. At least he
does; for I won't go back there. I'll go to my mother.
The husband assured the magistrate that " Alice" had
greatly exaggerated the whole matter ; certainly his home
was not quite a happy one, who's was? but she wouldn't
make her own sunshine, nor allow him to do so; the fact
was she had ill advisers, he did not know how to deal
with her ; he might have tried threats, but never intention-
ally hurt her or the baby.
The magistrate remarked that her dirty and ragged ap-
pearance was a disgraceful reflection on him, although pos-
sibly she had listened to bad advice ; they were both very
young, the world was before them, probably for many
years, and it was the duty of each to strive for the comfort
of the other.
Here again the young wife declared she would not re-
turn home.
The magistrate could not see any reason why she should
not, and the husband should enter into recognisance' to
come up for ju ent
dgm when called on, which would cer-
tainly be the case if he gave cause for further complaint.
The husband said he should be proud and happy to re-
ceive his wife, but the latter replied that she should be
neither one or the other, and left the court persisting in
her expressed intention to go straight to her mother.

WANDSWORTH.
A CURIOUS STORY.
A young man named Thomas Sharratt was placed in the
dock on a charge of indecently assaulting Elizabeth Jane
Barger•
The complainant, a young woman who had the appear-
ance of a servant, said—l live in Europa-place, Bridge-
road, Battersea. Last night, about 11, I was coming
through Battersea-square, on my way home, when I saw
the prisoner, who said, " Stop a moment, I want to
speak to you." I came along as I wanted to make
haste home. He said, " Don't be afraid," and walked
after me. I ran along and he ran after me.
Be came up and caught hold of me and asked
me to have something to drink. I thanked him kindly,
and said I would rather not as he was a stranger. He said,
"Come along," and spoke so kindly to me, and when he
pressed me I went with him into the Old Swan, and had a
glass of Fin and water with him. I sat down till very late,
be pressing me to stop, and when I crone out he insulted
me, and threatened to cut my throat if I did not comply
with his wishes. I gave him in charge.
Mr. Dayman (to the prisoner)—Have you any questions
to ask the witness?
Prisoner—lt is quite false. I did not insult her.
Complainant—You did.
Prisoner—Do you wish to lock me up?
Complainant—Yea I do, for insulting me.
Prisoner— I had been drinking with her at a friend's all
night. She allowed me to commit some familiarities with
her, but when she objected I left off.
Mr. Dayman (to the complainant)—This is a very extra-
ordinary case. You tell me he is a perfect stranger to you
and yet you go drinking with him till very late. If you
had a:ted by your former resolution of not going with him
all this would not have happened. You have brought it
all upon yourself by your own misconduct. It is just the
way many females arc ruined. As there is no corroboration
in the case I shall discharge the prisoner. (To the corn-
plainant)—l hope this case will prove a lemon to you.
The complainant then hastily left the court.