The Sun.
London, England, 1862-10-08 00:00:00

CHARGE AGAINST A POLICEMAN.

William Reimers, police-constable A 595, ap-
peared at Bow-street Police-court, yesterday, to
answer a summons charging him with an assault
on Francis Prior, a well-dressed man of about 35
years of age.
Mr. Lewis, jun., of Ely-place, opened the case
for the prosecution, but in the course of the pro-
ceedings was relieved of the conduct of the case by.
Mr. Lewis, sen. ; Mr. Abrams, of Bow-street, ap-
peared for the defence.

Mr. Lewis, jun., said he was extremely sorry to
appear against a policeman, knowing what a diffi-
cult duty constables had to perform ; but it was
quite clear that they were not justified in maltreat-
ing any person, whatever might be his character.
Mr. Corrie—What is the complainant.
Mr. Lewis—You will hear that from himself, sir.
I think he describes himself as a betting man, and
I will not disguise from you that he has been in

custody on a charge of skittle-sharping. But even
if a person was known to be a bad character that
would not justify the police in maltreating him. I
am afraid the fact is that the policeman has exceeded
his duty, and my client has a right to demand that,
whatever may be his character, he may be protected
from assault. Mr. Lewis proceeded to state the
circumstances as they appear in the evidence of the
complainant.
Francis Prior deposed—l reside in Chelmsford-
terrace, Bayswater. I am by trade a baker, but
have not been in business for some time. On the
27th of September I was standing on the Parade in
Hyde-park, when the defendant came up to me and
said, " You scamp ! what are you doing here ?" and
told me that if I did not go away he would " cuff"
me again.
Mr. Corrie—Are you sure he said " cuff you
again ?"
Witness—Certainly, sir.
Mr. Corrie—Did that mean that he had "cuffed"
you on some previous occasion ?
Witness—Yes, sir. He then struck me on the
back, and called me a thief and a magsman, and
some other names. I said I was waiting for a
friend. I appealed to the public for protection.
Mr. Abrams—How long have you lived at
Chelmsford-terrace ?
Witness—About two years and a half.
Mr. Abrams—Who keeps the house ?
Witness—l do not know the landlord's name,
Mr. Corrie —What ? Not know the name of your
own landlord ? _ _ _

Witness—No. My landlord is not the landlord
of the house. He does not keep the shop.
Mr. Abrams—Are you not stopping with another
man who lodges there ? Will you swear that it is
not another person who has the lodging ?

Witness-No, sir.
Mr. Abrams—You will not swear ? Very well.
Now, do you meet friends in the Park every day ?
Witness—Not every day ; perhaps once a-week.
I meet the same party I went to meet that day.
Mr. Abrams—Do the parties you meet there
follow the same occupation as yourself ?
Witness—One does. The man I went to meet.
Mr. Abrams—How many were with you ?
Witness—Only two with me. There were seven
or eight there. Some of them left directly they saw
the policeman. Ido not know whether they were
persons with whom I was acquainted. I did not
observe. He did not tell me to go away three or
four times, but only twice. I walked away. I
thought it more discreet to do so. I did not say,
" I will spend a guinea on you." I did say I would
report him. After I left him I went back again.
I did not tap him on the breast. I offered to go to
the station with him. Ido not follow any profes.
sion. I have friends who are well off, and would
allow me money if I wanted it. I take commissions
for persons who bet upon horse races. I have never
been a skittle-sharper. . .