The Express.
London, England, 1868-06-05 00:00:00

THE POLICE COURT&

WESTMINSTER.

Polite-sergeant George Levi', 1 B, and Polite-constabks
Stephen Fairchild, 91 B, and Daniel Barden, 363 B, were
re-examined, charged on a summons with neglect of duty,
in that they did not when called on prevent a Sgbt between
some women, and consequently a breach of the peace.
Mr. Ribton, banister, instructed by Mr. James Meson,
prosecuted for Mr. Vernon Delves Broughton ; Mr. W.
D. Smyth defended ; and Mr. Superintendent Hayes
watched the case on behalf of the Commisaioners of
Police. . _

_
The case for the prosecution was that on the evening of
the let of May, Mr. Broughton was in Upper Rocleston-
street, Pimlico, and saw two women fighting on the ground,
one a cripple with • child, which was injured in the
melee. He rescued the child, and called the defendants,
who were 30 yards off. They advanced leisurely, allowed
the women to fight on the ground, stood by and did not
interfere until the combatants had separated themselves.
The prosecutor was corroborated by John Usher, servant to
Miss Webb, of 29, eh/sham-place, but in some immaterial
points there were contradictions.
The defence was an entire denial of the facts alleged for
the prosecution, in that the constables hastened with all
speed to the scene of conflict, separated the oombatants,
and took the aggressor to the station, where the lame
woman, Catherine Halligan, declined to prosecute. The
woman was called, and stated that she saw the police-
sergeant run across the road, and he took her finger out of
the other woman's mouth ; the defendants were called for
each other, Fairchild going so far as to say that the prose-
cutor alone witnessed the transaction, and Burden stating
there were 12 persons present. They all said they hastened
quick step across the road and separated the women im-
mediately. They were on the same side of the road at
the time, and had just palmed the women.
Mr. Arnold, who had taken time to consider the evi-
dence, now delivered judgment. He said that be could
come to no other conclusion than that either the witnesses
for the prosecution or those for the defence had committed
perjury. He believed that the perjury lay on the side of
the police. On the last occasion he had stated that if the
facts had not been disputed he should not hare thought it
a case for heavy punishment ; nor would be then have
done so were it not for the defence set up. No one could
deny the service and efficiency of the polioe as a body of
men ; but, however useful, in any question which con-
cerned themselves they did not stick at stating falsehoods
even on oath, and banding together to stand by one
another whatever the result. He thought something more
than a nominal penalty should be inflicted. Mr. Lewis he
fined 50e. or • month, and the others 20e. or 14 days.
The fines were immediately paid.
SOUTHWARK.

Mary Owen, a decent-looking woman, was placed at the
bar, charged with attempting to commit suicide at West-
minster-bridge.
It appeared from the evidence of Samuel !fatherly, 98
L, that at about a quarter to three in the morning be was
on duty in the Westminster Bridge-road, when the pri-
soner came up to him in a very excited state, and said,
"I am going to drown myself." Witness told her not to
be so foolish, and, thinking it was all nonsense, he pro-
ceeded on his beat. He bad not, however, got many yards
before _he heard some persons screaming, and turning
round Se saw the prisoner rush down the steps towards
the river. He accordingly ran after her, and caught hold
of her just as she was about to leap in. He had some
difficulty in getting her out owing to the mud, which was
several feet deep at the spot. Assistant* was procured,
and he oonveyed her to the station-house.
The prisoner said that she was a married woman, and
unfortunately had a few words with her husband, who had
been out drinking, and she ran down to the water merely
to frighten him. She assured his worship that she had no
intention of committing suicide.
The prisoner's husband said that he did not think she
meant to do any injury to herself. If his worship dis-
charged her he would take care she did not attempt such
an act again. It was a drunken freak.
The magistrate hoped that for the future she would be
more temperate, and not attempt such a wicked act again.
He discharged her, and allowed her to be given up to her
husband.

George Pinirter and folin Skinner were brought before
Mr. Benson charged with upsetting a perambulator in
Heathmore-terrace, Shadwell, and injuring a child.
Mark Dickson, of Vine-street, Brook-street, Hatoliff,
saw a little girl with a diseased spine in a perambulator,
and another girl wheeling the machine along the street.
The prisoners came along the street drunk, noiey, and
using offensive language. They upset the perambulator,
and the little invalid fell out and was hurt. He expostu-
lated with the prisoners, and they laughed at him and
capsized the perambulator twice afterwards. He then
called the police and gave the prisoners in custody.
Other witnesses gave similar evidence, and it win clear
the child in the perambulator was injured.
Mr. Benson was of opinion that the prisoners bed been
guilty of very brutal and disgraceful conduct. He fined
them 21s. each, and in default 14 flays' imprisonment.
•

crtranrirrows, Jona 4.—The National Staftuuship
Company's IMIIMIT Erin arrived here from Liverpool thin
evening, embarked her passengers, all proceeded -for New
York. All well. _ _

OUTWARD AMERICAN MAIL.—QUEZNSTOWN,
JONI 4.—The Inman Royal Mail steamer City of AM-
warp arrived here at two p.m. to-day, and bawling embarked
mallard pameasers proceeded for New York at four p.m.
All w_

Tas Mom or Law Commistuow.—The Digest
of Lim Commissioners Imo °boom for the pFep,ratioa of

specimen digests. Mr. Henry Dunning Mailiscid, on the
Law a Bills of Nathan's ; Mr. William Richard
_er on
the Law of Mortgages ; and Mr. John Leybount Goddard
on the Law of Basements.

NEW POLICS-STATION IN HYDE-PALL. —A new
station of police, of one hundred in number, has been
intablishod for the protection of Hyde-park, A divis onal
surgeon is to be appointed for the elation. The applica-
tions should pass Slough the bands of Kr. Holmes, the
sargece-general of the Mirtropolitea British
ifedical /aurae/.

RIDOCTION TN THE TIA DUTY. —Horniman's
pare tees era Set per posse camper. MA' i,sut is wMeta
at the kingdom. are earelantlp receiving fresh wppWe of thus
klos-aggroyed Um. Sold only in packet& —(Advertlienient.i