The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1825-10-26 00:00:00

MIDDLESEX SESSIONS, TCJI3DAY, OCT. 25.

Sir Paul Bacgott, Mr. Syrtis, a merchant, and Mr. Barrett. •
gentleman in the wine trade, were indicted for an assault on John
Hall, in Regent-street, on the 17th September.
Mr. ANDREWS stated the case for the prosecution. The de.
fendnnts were pentane in a highly respectable class of society. One
of them was a Knight, and the other two were wine.merchanta,
and, to all appearance, very respectable individuate. The assault
complained of was stated to have taken place on the 17th of last
month, in Regent-street, on the premises of Mr. Newman, a livery-
stable-keeper. John flail, the prosecutor, was employed by Mr.
Newman, as a private watchman, to take care of and prevent the
commission of nuisances on the premises. About eleven o'clock on
the night in question Mr. Barrett came under Mr. Newman's gate-
way, apparently for the purpose of committing a nuisance. Hall,
in compliance with his instructions, remonstrated with him on the
impropriety of doing so, and refused to pelinit it. On dill Mr.
Barrett, assisted by the two other defendants, who had come up,
committed the assault in the manner that would be detailed to the
Jury by the witnesses for the prosecution.
John Hall.-1 am servant to Mr. Newman, the postmaster, of
Regent-street. I am his coachman, and have been in his employ-
ment about nine months. Mr. Newman's watchman went away,
and I, at my master's desire, acted in his stead. I was directed to
prevent any person committing a nuisance at the gateway. About
II o'clock of the night in question Mr. Barrett entered the gate, and
I requested him to go down lower. He refused, and Sir Paul Bag-
gott, who was with hint, encouraged him to resist use. I then told
Mr. Barrett he must go out, and he struck me down with a stick
or umbrella. Sir Paul Baggott struck me. Mr. Syms then came
up, and he too struck me. My master's post-boys, Randall and
Hammond, came to my assistance, and lifted me up. Sir Paul
Baggott knocked me down again. The watch was called, and the
defendants given in charge.
Cross-examined by Mr. A notrßus.--This occurred on a Sa-
turday night. When the parties *ere taken to the watchhouse Sir
P. Bei; gott's head appeared cut, and Mr. Barrett's nose was bleed-
ing. 1 here was no charge made against Mr. Synts till the next
day. He bailed the other defendants, but Mr. Hoe (the Magis-
trate) afterwards held him to bail In his own recognisances for the
assault. I was mach injured in my person.
A witness named Roberts confirmed the testimony of the prose-
cutor. The defendants appeared to be in liquor.
Anthony Hammond, jun. (a lad in Mr. Newman's employment),
gave • similar account of the affray, but added, he believed Sir Paul
Haggett called the watch.
Samuel Randall (a post-boy of Mr. Newman's).-1 came to the
prosecutor's assistance, who was lying on the ground. I put Mr.
Barrett out of the gateway, He struck me, and 1 returned it. On
re-eliteringshe gateway I found Mr. Spins beating the boy Ham-
mond. I intertercd, and Mr. Spits attacked me, and •gave me a
severs blow on the hand with his umbrella.
Anthony Hanitnond corroborated the testimony of the preceding
witnesses.

A stick, umbrella, and sword-cane, which had been used in the
affray, were produced, and appeared the worse for it.
Mr. ADOLPAUS addressed the Jury fur the defence. There
never was cot.duct more atrocious, or a conspiracy more flagrant,
' than that of this livery-stable gang, who appeared determined to
swear truth out of England. Thera was no connexion bet wren Mr.
Syrtis and the other defendants, though it hAt been attempted to
insinuate the contrary. The Jury perceived what manner of man
the prosecutor was. His temper was apparent ; and Ma own Coun.
sel (Mr. Alley) had been obliged to request he would not bully
him.
Mr. ALLEY—I said no such thing.
Mr. Arintrutteresumed.—Every witness that had been called
gave a diKrent and Inconsistent account of the transaction ; anti no
qpness was brought forward but such As had taken part in the ah.
fray. His Learned Friend (Mr. Alley) stated, in his opening, that
the defendants, Messrs. Barrett and Syins, were wine-merchstits, as
if for tire purpose of insinuating an umlerstanding and connexion
beta cen them. But the fact was, Mr. Syms was Let a wine-tner.