The Northern Daily Times.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1857-03-05 00:00:00

POLICE INTELLIGENCE.

LIVER POO L.
BEE ,RE MR. J. AIKIN.
A DARK DEED.—A powerful looking black man, named
Benjamin Potter, was charged by a young man named James
Radcliffe, who is in • the employment of Mr. Sorton, pawn-
broker, 109, Dale street, with obtaining a pair of boots, a
muffler, and 7s 6d, by false pretences. It appeared that the
prisoner went to the shop and represented that he was sent for
the money and things, by a person belonging to a ship, who
was a customer, and known at the shop, and he got the money
and things; but the evidence was not considered sufficient,
and the prisoner was discharged.
COMING FROM THE BALI. Under the head of another
Court, will be found a report of a ease "going to the Italy'
and by way of winding up the "grand fancy," the following
case came on in this Court. John Dempsey, a felloVe just come
out of jail, was brought up by a police officer, ou a charge of
having tried to pick the pocket of Mrs. Ftliz•theth Sarah
Bennett, in Shaw's Brow. From the evidence of Mrs.
Bennett, and a very pretty young lady who accompanied her,
and also the testimony of Mr. Bennett who seemed to be a
respectable gentleman, it appeared that the ladies—all ladies
are curious—were very curious, and that they wished above
all things—like Cinderella—to go to the Ball. Not
being able to accomplish - that, the next best
thing they could do, was to see the people
who did go to the ball. The best time to see the dresses and
characters was when the "ladies and gentlemen" were leaving
the hall, and with that view the parties went to the gate at
Shaw's Brow, about half past three o'clock in the morning;
and while Mrs. Bennett was intently gazing on some emerging
Romeo, Mr. John Dempsey (the prisoner) was paying very
marked attention to the pocket of the aforesaid Mrs. Bennett,
and, in a fit of abstraction or otherwise, he dived his arm as far
as the elbow into her pocket. By a curious coincidence, he
was seized on by the three witnesses at the same moment, and
he could neither extract his hand from the pocket, or himself
away, until he was clutched by the police. The prisoner, it
appeared, had only just come out of jail, where he was confined
for robbery. Ho was sent to gaol fur one month.
WIFE DESERTION.—Mr, Hughes, one of the parish officers,
brought up a river boatman, named Hugh Jones, for deserting
his wife, and leaving her chargeable to the parish. It appeared
that some time since the prisoner had deserted his wife, and
that he was imprisoned for doing so. When he got out he
promised to support her, but lie failed to do so. He was now
sent to gaol for two montha.
REF :RE MESSRS. GRANT AND SMITH.
GOING To THE BALL.--111r. aughes, chemist, charged a
gentleman named Jones, with having assaulted him. Mr. Bluck
was for the defence. The affair arose out of a party going to
the ball. The complainant said there was a party going from
Mr. Durant's house in Boundary street, to the grand fancy
ball, and a crowd collected to see the ladies going into the
carriages; he was there, and it appeared Mrs. Jones wart
looking on also ; the crowd pushed about, and it would seem
that Mrs. Jones imagined she was insulted by complainant:. Shortly after, the defendant called at Mr. Hughes' shop, and,
asked if he were the fellow who insulted his wife at the same
time assaulting him by shaking him up against the counter.
In reply to Mr. Bluck, who cross-examined the witness, he
said he did not know the defendant, or that the lady was his
wife ; he had seen and served her with medicine on one
occasion. He did not know anything of the lady, nor did he
insult her in any way; he did not lay hands upon her in
any way, and certainly not in any improper way ; he
might have been pushed against her by the pressure of the
crowd, as all were liable to be pushed along with the crowd ;
but to his knowledge ho was net nearer than six feet to her at
any time. Mr. Bluck addressed the court for the defendant,
and said he was instructed to state that the complainant had
grossly insulted the defendant's wife. She informed her
husband, and he took an officer with him, and demanded
explanation for the insult offered to hie wife. He contended
that, according to his instructions, the lady had been indecently
treated by Mr. Hughes, and it was natural for her husband to
act as he had acted. The complainant was not hurt, and he,
(Mr. B.) under all the circumstances, trusted the court would
discharge his client. The complainant said the statement
made by the learned gentleman was calculated to damage his
character and business as a chemist, and he trusted it would.
be withdrawn. Mr. Bluck : I ant instructed to say so, and I
go according to these instructions, and therefore shall not
withdraw the obseriations, In reply to the bench, the com-
plainant said ho was not nearer than six feet to the lady ; he
had seen her before, but did not know who she was.
Mr. Bluck : I should not be discharging my duty as an advocate
towards my client, if I hail not stated what he instructed me
to state. The wife of defendant was examined, but the o nly
thing she said in reference to the case was, that the c oru-
plainant's hand went on her breast in the crowd, and she
considered herself insulted. Mr. Grant said Mr. Black had
only done his duty, in making the statement which his client
had instructed hint to make; of course he was not responsible
for that. The defendant was fined £1 for the assault. The
fine was paid.