The Express.
London, England, 1861-03-04 00:00:00

Mama 2.

William Bewieke, Taq., of l'hreepwood, near Hex-
ham, wee brought rap before Mr. Jogai Keeling
to-day, having been convicted yesterday of a Marge of smell=
daily shooting at two sheriff's °Mows on the 12th Janu-
ary lea, with intent to do them grievous bodily harm.
The cue occupied the court the whole of yesterday in try-
ing ; and when the prisoner was broeol up to-day to receive
sentence the court was aoudad. The dreamaimassof thesue
upon which Mr. Bewiche was convicted were singular. Mr.
berate is =l.e.manly-looldng man of 36 yam at age,
epic!' good of somewhat eccentric mannem.
He is the owner of ait=esststo war Hexhain, in a liana-
hd district overlooking the vale al the Tync ; and about
eighteen months sin was • magistrate in the county of
Northumberland. About the time mentioned he took It
into his heed AM the wife of one of the binds employed
upon the Mato had beau guilty of theft,
and upon that suppoeitioe had her apprehended, and
examined her in his own kitchen. He afterwards
had the poor woman placed in durance, and next morning
hod her hauled across the country to • magistrates meeting
at ilaydon Bridge. As there was not • tittle of evidence to
cause the detention of the woman the justices dis-
charged her, and as great cruelty had bees exhibited by
sonar to her while in custody she brought sus
against Sawicki at the assizes, and ripoovsnd 501. damps
with costs. The conduct of Bewicke use also represseted to
the Lord Chancellor, and his lordship orderable name Jobe
removed from the roll of county magistrates. It seems
that the prisoner had paid the damages sad cads mama
by the plaintiff in the action bat be refused to pay his own
attorneys bill, and they took out a writ against him, and in
the early part of January entrusted it to Mr. Biainthorp, •
sheriff's officer, at limbs" to enforce it. On the 11th of
January he and two followers, John Daglish and William
Hutchinecs, proceeded to Threepwcod with that purpose,
but upon reaching the ball they found that the prisoner had
received information of their intended visit, and
bad put his residence in • state of defence.
Re held • parley with Stainthorp from one of the ball
windows, and cocking • revolver a 1 the akar, threatened
to @hoot him and his followers If they did not he off ; as he
swore that he would not pay the attorneys a penny. They,
however, were not intimidated by the threats. and
Mr. btalnthorp having taking possession of the
stables and cow lyms, left his mu encamped under
• cart shed all night. About six o'clock the next morning
the prisoner having asessianed that the men were still
wider the
jrattiaepted to " pot" one or both of the
bailiffs, " k up the fire" until Btainthorp and several
policemen tram Heehaw. He then opened the hall-
ow and made • auk at Staintiscrp to shoot him. Bet he
was disarmed by the paeansn sod taken into custody.
Yesterday the prisoner pleaded his right of being tried by
his peers, but was informed by the judge that he could only
object to any name in the list of common jurymen furnished
by the sheriff,
The jury, in finding him Guilty, recommended him to
mercy.
Upon being placed in the dock this morning to receive
sentence the usual question was asked the prisoner, who
objected to the mode in which he hail been tried. He was
saistomosd to be kept in penal servitude for the period of
four yea
(mutteringly)—l appeal spirit this. It is info
moos to end • gentleman—
With this remark the eccentric prisoner was removed.