The Northern Daily Times.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1856-10-24 00:00:00

BEFORE MR. CROSTRWAITE.

RECEPTION OF JOHN WILLIAMS ON HIS ARRIVAL FROM
AMERICA.—Two men, named William Dawson, and John
O'Brien, were charged for nearly choking and assisting in
robbing John Williams of £lO, in a court in Peter street.
The complainant said he arrived from America in the course
of Wednesday evening, and went out from his lodging in
Water street to take a walk, when he met a female with whom
he went into Peter street, where, she put her hand into his
Pocket, and took out a bag containing £5 in cash, and an order
for.£s. Ho seized her, and called for the police, when three
men attacked and nearly strangled him. The woman got off,
and after he came to himself ho raised an alarm, and police
officer 666 came to his assistance. The officer said he got the
two prisoners in bed, without any (but their own) clothes on
them, and they'were in a great heat, evidently after a struggle.
Mr. Goodere : What do you mean by a heat ? Mr. Crosth•
wkite : Don't interrupt the public business in this way. Mr.
Cibiodere : lam attorney for the prisoners, and I have a right
to cross-examine the witness. Mr. Crosthwaite : You have,
at a proper time, not now. The officer said when hi, arrested
the prisoners, they were at once identified by the complainant
as two of the men who had nearly strangled him. The officer
and prosecutor were cross-examined by Mr. Goodere, but there
was nothing elicited to 'shako the case.. The prisoners
were remanded, as the order for the money was likely to
" turn up." -

A MODERN Aflous.—Williarn Johnston, and George
Duckett, the latter a well dressed and respectable looking
person, were charged with having picked the pocket of a decent
looking young female, named 'Anne Doran, under the following
circumstances :—There was a crowd of persons in the Oki
Haymarket selling oil, and the complainant went to buy a
bottle for a penny. Johnston closed on her, and picked her
pocket of her purse, containing £1 13s, and then he joined
'the prisoner Duckett. Johnston was, however, arrested
immediately, and a quantity of "Californian sovereigns"
found on him. A female proved beyond do uht that she saw
Johnston pick the young woman's pocket, and saw the two pri-
soners together. Mr. Bentley, bookseller, of Shaw's brow, said
he saw the two prisoners going from St.. George's Hall, after two
ladies, one of whom' had a watch outside her dress—there was
a third person with them—and when Duckett saw witness, he
cried out—" there is a noz3"—the fact is, continued Mr.
Bentley, that fellow (Duckett) has nearly the eyes of Argus,
as he can see half a mile off. (Laughter.) The prisouera then
got into the crowd, and Duckett was subsequently arrested in
a bad house in Gay street. Mr. Bluck defended Duckett, and
cross-examined the prosecutrix, the officer, and Mr. Bentley,
as to his client's identity, and they all swore positively to his
being in company of Johnston. Mr. Bluck asked for a remand,
as he said his client had instructed him to state most positively,
that he was not there at the time, and that he would bring
witnesses to prove the fact. He also said his client told him
he was never in custody before. Bridewell.keeper Campbell
said, the prisoner was in custody in 1855, but this was strongly
denied by the prisoner, He was remanded in order to produce
the witnesses, and Johnston was also remanded.
STRANGE CASE OF BIGAMY.—Henry Holland, described as
a porter, residing in Eaton street, was charged with having
Married Ellen Astle, on the 20th October, 1856, his former
wife, Elizabeth Ellis, being then alive. The first wife was in
court, but it was stated that the last " lady" would not come
up, James Shaw, a cart owner, stated, that about fourteen or
fifteen years ago, lie was present, in Saint Peter's Church, at
the marriage of the prisoner with Elizabeth Ellis, who
was his wife's sister, and who is now in court.
The parties lived together afterwards, until some five
years ago, when they separated, and the woman lived as
servant with him. A certificate of the marriage was proved
by Mr. John M'Dougal, sexton of Saint Peter's Church. This
witness also proved that he was present on Monday
last, in Saint Peter's Church, when the prisoner
was married to Ellen Astle. He produced a
certificate of the marriage. In reply to the bench, the
prisoner said, she (the first wife) left me no less than nine
times, and the last time was five years ago ; I have not
seen her since, and I thought it time to get married again.
(A laugh.) Mr. Crosthwaite : Then you do not deny the
second marriage ? Prisoner : I don't deny it at all. I wanted
a woman to make me comfortable, if I could get one.
(Laughter.) So I got one to make me comfortable. I
should think five years was quite, long enough to be alone
without the comfort of a wife. (Loud laughter.) Mr.
Crosthwaite : Where is the sound wife ? The policeman
said she would not come up ; she said if the prisoner was away
from her for seven years she would have him at his return.
The first wife said the prisoner had turned her out of doors
several times, and said he would not live with an old widow
like her. She was a widow before she was married to the
prisoner. The prisoner was remanded for seven days.
BEFORE MR. MANSFIELD.
'WILFUL DAMAGE.--Mr. John Scotson, of the Wellington
Hotel, Derby-road, charged a person, named Joseph Rainfotd,
with having damaged a brass fountain, to the extent of 30s.
Tho prisoner, with other persons, went into the house,-and
wanted ,drink, which was refused, because they had too much
already. The prisoner then committed the damage complained
of, Ho was ultimately remanded.