The Northern Daily Times.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1857-04-25 00:00:00

OUTRAGE BY THE MILITARY.

At the Westminster Police court, Benjamin Richardson
end 'Moines Woodworth, privates in the Scotch Fusilier
Guards, and Emanuel Barker, a soldier of the Coldstreams,
were charged with the most diegraceful and outrageous con-
duct. The charge originated in Richardson, whde in a
state of intorcation, going into the private passage of
Mr. Hathway, a newsvender in Tothill street, and con-
ducting himself in a very offensive manner. Upon being
remonstrated with, he attacked Mr. Hathway, and upon his
wife coming to his assistance, he struck her three or four
blows withhis fists, and was given into custody, but incited
by the two other defendants and a third soldier, he made a
desperate resistance, and was rescued, the soldiers taking
off theirbelts and attacking the police .wi h them. Subse-
quently Richardson was retaken in the streeet, and a
public house, in which the others had taken refuge, was
invested until a guard wee fetched to take them to the
Wellington Barracks. Woodworth and Barker who were
sober, alleged that they had taken no part in the affair,
and that they could prove an alibi, but failed, although
they were afforded an opportunity of doing„so. Sergeant-
Majoi Edwards stated that Woodworth was a
disgrace to the regiment ; he had been recently charged
with outrageous conduct at the door of the Lyceum
Theatre, and had been committed for twenty-one days for
assaulting the police. The adjutant of the regiment had
directed him (Edwards) to come forward and state his
character in the strongest terms. Another sergeant spoke
in terms of commendation of the previous conduct of
Barker. Mr. Arnold said this was one of the worst cases
of the description that had ever conic before him, and it
was much to be regretted that in the conflicts which were
frequently happening between soldiers and civilians,
the former were shown to ba in the habit of
taking off their belts, and using them as offensive
weapons against those with whom they were contending,
a practice which strongly suggested the necessity of some
means being taken as a protection. Sorae years ago, it
had been found necessary to deprive the military, when
off duty, of their side arms, is consequence of the improper
use they often made of them against the people ; and
if the abuse of the belt, a formidable and dangerous
weapon, were continued, he should feel it his duty to
report the matter to the authorities, with a view that
strong steps should be taken respecting it; he, however,
earnestly hoped that no necessity would arise for such
a course. . The worthy magistrate then commented on
some length upon the evidence ; and, after animadverting
upon the cowardly conduct of Richardson in attaching an
unoffending woman, said there was at least this much in
his favour, that, intoxicated as he was, he had gone
quietly with the police until incited to resistance by the.
other defendants, who were sober ; and then followed the
disgraceful disturbance and violent assaults which had
been proved. Richardson was then sentenced to pay a
fine of £5, or two months' imprisonment for striking Mrs.
Hathway, with another month for assaulting the police ;
Woodworth to be imprisoned two months, and Barker one
month.