The Express.
London, England, 1860-09-15 00:00:00

THE POLICE COURTS.

GUILDHALL

Mr. Joseph Hawn, described as a reporter, was charged
before Alderman Abbas with being drunk and annoying
Mr. Gammon, one of the under-sheriffs of London and
Middlesex.

Mr. L'i;ar les Gammon said—Yesterday, about one o'clock
in the day, I was walking down Basinghsll-str.eet, when
the defendant called after me by name, adding' There he
goes—there he goes," which had the effect of 'calling gene-
ral attention to me. I told him if he annoyed me so again
I would give him into custody, for be ha. annoyed me inthe
same way for the last four years. He is always tipsy. He
was drunk yesterday, and is drunk now. He 11 in the habit
of taking hold of me by the arm, but he did not do so yes-
terday, because I got away from him. I was walking
through Guildhall about a couple of hours afterwards, when
the defendant again called out my narne loudly, and said,
"There he goes'' in a most insulting manner. I know no.
thing more of the mar.. 1 did not even know his name.
He was quite drunk— just able to walk, and
that was all. He called out so loudly that the Lord
Mayor's servants beard him at the entrance to the Court of
Common Council. I have been more annoyed by him in
Basinghall-street, because that is where he is generally
hanging about. The beadle also heard him, and took him
into custody at my request.
Scott, the beadle, said—l heard the defendant, who was
decidedly the worse for liquor say, " Here comes Gammon."
I never saw him in the hall before. Mr. Gammon gave him
into custody, and he was bailed out at 10 o'clock last night.
Alderman Abbiss—W hat have you to say to this charge?
Lefendant--I ask for an adjournment ; I stalled him Gam-
mon, and if his name is unfortunately Gammon, it's all
gammon for him to be offended, and this business will all
end in gammon. (Laughter.)
Alderman Abbiss—Had you any businose with Mr.
Gammon

Defendant—He is constantly at the Bankrupts y Court,
where my sou reports for one of the newspapers, and ho often
gives him his card, for he is very fond of having his name
printed Gammon, although he dues not like being called
0••••• non. (laughter:`
Alderman AUbta•--Do you wthli to ask Mr. Gammon any
questions
Defendant—Did I not say, " How do you do, Mr.
Gammon!"

Mr. Gammon—No ; bat you did say that if I would shake
hands with you, you would not be offended.
Defendant--All I have to say is that Mr. Gammon is a
most respectable practitioner in our court, the Court of
Bankruptcy, and knowing him, and wishing him no evil, I
went to his office this morning, at 10 o'clock, but he was
not there. I went there fur the purpose of saying, " Gam-
mon, let us shake hands and make an end of thin gammon."
I beg to express my very great regret, and am willing to
shake hands with him now if he likes. (Laughter.)
Alderman Abbisa—lt is very deplorable to see a man of
education, fax I understand you are a reporter, so far forget
himself as to get the worse for liquor. It appears you were
so yesterday, and any one can see you are new in the sine
condition, which is a great insult to the bench.
Defendant—lam not, indeed, sir.
Alderman Abbiss-1 should be very sorry to do you such
an injustice, but I do not think iny eyes have deceived nie
in this instance. However, Mr. Gammon is not desirous of
pressing this awe if you will promise faithfully that you will
never annoy him again.
Defendant—That promise shall be kept, air, but 1 should
like to shake him by the hand. (Laughter.) 11611 for the
future say, " Mr. Bacon appeared for the assignees," and
never aill him Gammon again. (Great laughter, amidst
which defendant left the court.)