The Express.
London, England, 1867-11-08 00:00:00

MIDDLESEX SESSIONS.

(THIS DAY.)

(Before the Aasistant Judge.)
THE CASE OF JOHN GROVES.
The approaches to the court this wonting were more
than usually crowded on account of it being known that
this day was appointed for the trial of John Groves,
who was so prominently brought before the public
in reference to the murdered bandsman in the course
of the proceedings at Bow-street, and also be-
fore the county coroner. It will be remembered
after his discharge from custody on that charge he
was further charged with assaulting Samuel Buser, and
causing him actual bodily harm. For that offence he was
committed to this court. Mr. Cooper was instructed b
the Treasury to prosecute the case, and Mr. Warner Sleigh
for the defence. The case stood first on the list for this
morning, and the defendant was admitted to bail, and
when the care was called on he was not in attendance,
consequently another case was called, but it bail not com-
menced many minutes when it was announced that Groves
was in attendance. He formally surrendered, and was
put into the dock, but the case that had begun was pro-
ceeded with.

Gent fe Wiggins, 30, was indicted for stealing • gold
watch, chain, and seals, value 25f., the property of John
Hill, in his dwelling-house.
Mr. Bosley prosecuted. Mr. Pater defended the prisoner.
The prosecutor is • licensed victualler, and keeps the
Sun public-house in Long-a, re ; and on the of October,
being unwell, be went to bed in • second floor room, and
while he was there he saw the room door suddenly open,
and • person entered the room, and snatched a watch,
chain, and appendages from a chest of drawers that was in
the room, close to the door. He bad no sooner
got pusssseion of the watch than he bolted
downstairs with it. The prosecutor immediately
jumped out of bed and ran downstairs, crying
out ' Stop thief !" The prisoner was met at the
bottom of the stairs by two gentlemen named Taylor and
Dean, when • struggle took place between them and the
prisoner, but at length the prisoner, who had knocked
down Mr. Dean, managed to effect his escape and get clear
off, but in doing so he threw the watch and chain down in
the passage. Information was then given at Bow-street,
and Sergeant Kerley, 101, went in search of the prisoner,
and from the description given of him by the prosecutor,
Mr. Dean, and Mr. Taylor, who bad all bid a full opportu-
nity of seeing the pris..ner'a featuree, he was apprehended
on the 4th of October by Sergeant Kerley at the
Kemble's Head in Long-acre, and taken to the station-
house, saying he knew nothing about it. He was placed
*ming ten other persons, and the prosecutor and Messrs.
Doan and Taylor were sent for, and they at once all iden-
tified the prisoner as the person who had escaped two days
before.

Several witnesses were called to establish these facts, who
were all cross-examined by Mr. Peter for the prisoner.
Mr. Pater then called four witnesses, who stated that at
the time the robbery was committed the prisoner was at
work, and they assigned various reasons for knowing the
particular time.
_ _

The verdict Lad not been given when this report was
despatched.

(Before ]Sr. Payne, Deputy Anistant-Judge.)

JUDGMENP ON PRISONERS CONVICTED OF ANBAMTING
POLICEMEN, Lc.
Edward Dixon, 22, a labourer, who, with another man,
was convicted in the earlier part of the session of stealing
three pain of shces and other articles, the property of
John Brighton, was brought up to receive the judgment of
the court.

At the trial the prisoner was said to be insane, and was
accordingly remnnd.Nl in order that he might be seen by
the prince doctor (Mr. Smiles).
Dr. Smiles, when sworn, said him attention had been
specially directed to this prisoner. He had not seen any
appearance of insanity at the present whatever.
Sub• Warder Crowley, House of Detention, gave similar
evidence.

The Judge sentenced him to three months' imprison•
meat, with hard labour. _ _

Julies Williams, 24, was convicted yesterday of assaulting
Ford, a constable, in the execution of his duty.
Mr. Cooper (instructed by the Treluiury) i rosecuted. Mr.
Moody defended. Mr. Inspector Sims watched the ease
for the police authorities.

This was, a v,•ry bad cue, 4:110.e clan was hit: -II
ill-aced and had his helmet smashed.

The Judge said the prisoner had behaved very brutally,
and sentenced him to eighteen months. imprisonment.
J,,k9 rit:904,10, 17, also convicted yesterday of a brutal
assault upon William Balh►tchet, • police constable, in
the execution of his duty, was brought up.
The Judge sentenced him to eighteen months' imprison-
ment.

James Lauren,e, 21, a labourer, convicted of assaulting
and beating Phillips Crain., was placed in the dock to
receive the judgment of the court.
Mr. Collins defended the prisoner.
In this case the parties had a stand-up fight, during
which the prosecutor's arm was broken.
The Judge said the jury had fortunately acquitted the
prisoner of the more serious counts in the indictment, and
found him guilty of a common assault. The public peace
must he observed. The sentence was one month's impri-
sonment, and to enter into his recognizance in the sum of
to keep the peace for six months. The jury were the
judges of fact. .. . .

IVilliaut rontnut, 21, who was convicted yesterday of
assaulting John Chap*, a constable of the Metropolitan
Police Force, in the execution of his duty, whereby his kg
was broken in two places, was placed in the dock.
The Judge (addrasing the prisoner) said—Yours is
a very serious case, and in these times it is absolutely
necessary when cases like these are proved that they
should be severely dealt with. There is a spirit of resistance
now•a•days against the police, which must be put down.
Policemen have been shot and otherwise ill-used. All that
has been proved against you is three months' imprisoment
on the 2:trd January for assaulting the police, and the evi-
dence was that you lived by the prostitution of femalLs.
The sentence is five years' penal servitude.