The Express.
London, England, 1858-03-11 00:00:00

RIOTING AT MIDDLESBROUGH.

John Flinn 30 Thorns. Campbell, 21, Patrick Cowell,
26, and Thomas Hewitt, 23, were charged with rioting at
1111ddleabroagh, and stealing 61. belonging to Thomas
Brentnedl on the 19th of December last.

Mr. Price and Mr. Maynell prosecuted.
In December last, in conaequenee of the commercial crisis
which than prevailed, great distress existed at Middles-
brough, there was a panic in the iron trade of that town,
and several of the merchants were obliged to discharge their
workmen. Large numbers of men were thrown out of em-
ployment on the 13th of December, and much excitement
prevailed in the town, but it was not until the 19th of that
month that anything serious occurred. A mob, consisting of
400 or 600 men, armed with bludgeons, of whom the prisoners
were the leaders, assembled in the torn, and marched about
the streets, 16 or 20 abreast. The prisoners called at seve-
ral shops, end whilst the crowd remained outside, they de-
manded money, and many tradesmen, through fear, gave
them various sums. One shop they threatened to smash if
money was not handed to them, and Mr. Brentnell, a grocer,
by threats and intimidation, and being afraid of the hundreds
of men outside his premises, gave the prisoners a 61. note, and
the crowd departed.
Flinn, in defence, alleged that want compelled him and his
companions to solicit alms, end that money was given to them
voluntarily by several parties. Mr. Breathed' supplied moat
of the working men with provisions, and, consequently, no
person had more right than him to relieve their distress.
Hewitt stated that he had nothing ;whatever to do with
collecting moneys, and the other prisoners confirmed his
statement.

The jury Acquittal Hewitt, but found the other prisoners
The prosecution strongly recommended them to:niercy.
Mr. Peke observed that the offence was committed at
time of neunercial distren, when a large number of MOO
were out of employment. That panic had pissed away, sad
he believed that the whole of the men engaged in the iron
trade at Middlesbrough, with the exception of the premiers,
bed releraed to their work, end peqect peace and good ceder
was motored. Under these circumstanced the prosecution
bored the learned judge would be se lenient with the pri-
mmer* es be could, consistent with his duty to the public.
His lordship, in sentencing the prisoners, observed that the
parties most interested in the prosecution were not the iron-
mestere although they no doubt felt some degree
of barest in the can but the prisoners thor-
nless end their fellow workmen at Middleebrougb.
It appeared that the prisoners had gone round
the town demanding money, and if this course of proceeding
was allowed to go on with impunity, trade and commerce
could not be carried on ; the working classes were the suf-
ferers, and therefore the present prosecution was preferred
for their benefit. The prosecution had recommended the
FADDISM to the lenient coneideration of the court, end be
should take that recommendation into due consideration. .....

That great distress prevailed at Middlesbrough in December
last wee no doubt the fact the learned ccunsel, Mr. Price,
having admitted it in opening the cue, but that was no de-
fence in point of law for the prisoners to demand sums et
from persons to alleviate that distress. His lordship
ft7:that the present prosecution would be a warning to
the prisoners, assuring them that if a similar prosecution
were hereafter to be preferred against them, they would be
very differently dealt with than on the present occasion. He
found that they had been in prison already two or three
maths, and sa there was no preview complaint against
them, and believing that they were hottest and industrious
men, and would return to their work when set at liberty, he
amid =talcs them to be farther Imprisoned for a month
each at bird labour.

NISI PRIV/ COMIT.-03110111 Mr. Baron
James V.

Kr. Overfeed, Q.C., sad Mr. Qua's were for the plidellft,
sod Mr. Hill, Q.C., sad Mr. Jones were for the defendant.
.

This sodas was brought to recover compenntion in
dowses for injury mad to the plainiiff by the negligence
of the deiadrat or his somata. The ddandant is a scissors-
suadhateser, reidiag la elosoop-road, and having his ware.
hones, itc., at Byre-street, Bhefileld ; and the plaintiff, pre-
vious to the occident which led to this action, was a drop:Ger
la the amnia of Mr. Liaara, and the corner for the Groat