The Express.
London, England, 1850-02-14 00:00:00

THB POLICR COURTS:

MANSION-HOUSE.

A WELL-11E1117ED PUIIIAHMISNT.—Robert Leggett, leather
merchant, of Bermondsey, was brought up on me charge of
basing assaulted and used indecent language to a young
lady. The case excited much interest.
The complainant, who appeared to be shwa 18 years of
age, stated that on Tuesday. evening, at a quarter to seven
o clock, while she was waiting in Leadenhall-market for an-
other young lady, wko had gone iota an enjoining house
up:th bueinese, the defendant walked up to her and ad-
dressed her. She walked sway from him, but he followed
her and inked her to have something to drink, upon which
she threatened to give him in charge, and ran away. The
defendant persevered, however, in annoying her and put
his arm round her waist, and she then ran into a shop, in
which she received immediate protection. She heard the
defendant talking, but oho was so much terrified end
excited is not to be able to distinguish the words be uttered.
The defendant frequently smiled whilst the witness was
giving her evidence.
Mr, Addiseomb, shopman at No. 6, Leadenhall-street, said
that he noticed the young lady in tears and endeavouring to
get away from the defendan,, who tried to thrust his head
under her bonnet, and to put his arms round her neck. The
witness immediately opened the door, and the young lad
rushed in, much agitated. The defendant, who bad fol-
lowed lite to the porch, then went oft, but witness followed
him and brought him back. In the shop the defendant
used the most revolting language, particularly in addressing
the 7youerg lady, so that the witness determined if she
hesitated to charge him, that he should not escape for
want of a prosecutor. At the station-house the defend-
ant uttered the same filthy language in the presence of the
complainant and the female friend who accompanied her.
In answer to • question put by Mr. Buchanan, who at-
tended as solicitor to the defendant, the witness sold that
Mr. Leggett was certainly drunk at the time, and that he
was very riotous at the station-house-
The appearance and demeanour of the lady, in every
respect, confirmed the testimony as to respeetahility.
Mr. Buchanan felt considerable difficulty in appealing to
the bench. He eusfessed that he could find no excuse or
I palliation for his client, except in the positive undeniable
fact that the unfortunate gentleman had been in a state of
intoxication at the time of the occurrence nod wholly un-
conscious of the improprieties he committed. lie trusted
that the alderman would permit the complainant to en-
deavour to mitigate the severity with which they might be
disposed to visit the offence by spoil/Wag to the lady and
contributing to the poor box, and solemnly pledging himself
that the complaint of that day should operate as • warning
to him for the rest of his life.

Alderman Carden, after havin; confined with Alderman
Humpturry, said—llly brother magistrate and I have very
strioasly Idokad into all the circumstances of the case, and

we collier in opinion that one of more gross indecency Could
net have been brought before us! We smear, too, in opt.
Rion that the disgusting words uttered by **defendant mast
hare been habitual, and not the mere anal effusion of
drunken brutality.
The Defendant—l allure you, air, that I wan drunk as
to have no id. a of what took plate. A friend and I had
dined and taken four bottle of wine at the t near the
spot. I had no notion of insulting the lady.
Alderman Carden—Yuu were not only able to ran alter
and persecute her, but to attempt to escape when you found
that persona were ready and determined to protect her, and
yon greatly aggravated your offence by repeating languor,
null for any ears, in the presence of one to whom
as a mat you were bound to offer succour and
assistance Instead of iesult. We aro perfectly aware that •
tam of money as a penalty upon you would be considered of
no importance. You manifested, by your smile and indif-
fereace while the young lady was so modestly giving her
evidence, that you felt very little for her et for your offence
against society, or apprehensions as to the result of this
investigation. But it happens that, as magistrates, we have
the power of indicting a very diaagreeable substitute for a
pecuniary penalty, and we think that this is •most excellent
opportunity of testing the efhcacy of that power. Our
sentence, therefore, upon you is that, for your violent and
indecent conduct, you be imprisoned seven days in the
!louse of Correction. (Laughter.)
Tho defendant was &hooked at this judgment, and assured
the bench that he deeply regretted his conduct, and was
willing to pay any Penal', they might thilik proper to indict.
lie repeated that he was most willing to be allowed to whi-
ling to the lady and all other perms wheat ha might have
ofeaded.

Carden said the bench did not amid*: it neces-
sary So consult the lady at all upon the °minion, and em,
tidily could not suppose that Pb. would eondemend to llama
to as lammage of *Wimp from one who bed used Linguae'
for which Were could be no opology.
The defendant was thou 1.49 a vff to the name of Corm-
lion. Thom were several gentlemen who were
ready
Us* surer s toimtifymid She ow to the high respeat47it Leggett, but
ma woo