The Sun.
London, England, 1838-12-07 00:00:00

QUEEN'S BENCH.-(THIS DAY.)

LEWIS V. rONSFORD.
The ATTORNEY. GENERAL (with whom was Mr. MARTIN)
stated the case. It was an action for a very extraordinary
outrage committed in the house of the plaintiff, Miss Barbara
Lewis. The defendant, John Ponsford, was married to a
German lady, and in consequence of differences between them
a deed of separation was drawn up, by which the defendant
was to return the sum received at his marriage, 3501., pictures
valued at 2501, and that she was to go and reside with her
friends in Germany. The deed was prepared on the 19th
December, 1837, and Mrs. Ponsford went to reside at
Miss Lewis's, a board and lodging-house, 51, Manchester-
street, Manchester-square. The inclemency of the weather,
and the stoppage of the navigation of the river,
having prevented Mrs. Ponsford from leaving London for
Germany. On Monday, the 19th February, the defendant,
Mr. Ponsford, came to Miss Lewis's house, about eight o'clock
in the morning, forced his way into the bed-room where Miss
Lewis and Mrs. Ponsford were in bed, and conducted himself
in a very improper and indecent manner, refusing to leave
the room, and creating much disturbance and noise. He
had three men with him also, whom he brought up stairs
and on the landing outside the bed-room door. He
refused to leave the house unless his wife went with him.
There was no property of his there, but her wearing apparel
and a dressing-case. She refused to go with him alleging
that she had been treated with great cruelty, but he still con-
tinued to conduct himself with great impropriety. Two or
three policemen came in, and a great crowd was collected out-
side. At length, after the noise and confusion had continued
for several hours, application was obliged to be made to the
Magistrates to have him removed. It was alleged that the
house was not the property of Miss Lewis, but of her mother ;
he, however, would satisfy the Jury that the house did belong
to Miss Lewis, and that she acted as its mistress. He would
prove also that the defendant did not come to claim his wife,
but some property of his, which he fancied his wife had
with her.
The following witnesses were then called :
Jane Good lived with the plaintiff as servant in February
last. On the morning of the 19th of February a gentlemen
came to the house between eight and nine o'clock. Mrs.
Ponsford had been living there for some time. He brought
a note for Mrs. Ponsford, and said he would wait for an an-
swer. Witness took it up to the bed room. Mrs. Ponsford
and Miss Lewis were in bed at the time. They slept toge-
ther. When witness was leaving the room she found plaintiff
outside, and he insisted on going into the room and forced his
way. Captain Barnes, a lodger, who slept in the front room,
desired witness to go for a policeman, and a messenger was
sent for one. When witness went up stairs again she
found three men on the landing outside the bed-room, It was
on the second floor, There was great noise and confusion
in the house, and Mr. Ponsford remained in the house till
between two and three o'clock in the day. Witness went
up to dress Mrs. Ponsford, but she would not be dressed,
Cross-examined by Mr. Timslona—l was hired by miss
Lewis. Miss Lewis and Mrs. Ponsford went out a the house
together about three o'clock, and Miss ticuls returned about
six o'clock. I understood they %viva,l to Dr. Lomax's, in
Dorset-street. I left shortly 4erwards. I gave warning to
Miss Lewis. I heard `,li•ss Lewis request Ponsford to 'feave
the room till she dressed, but he would not; he riaiit he had a
right to remain where his wife was. ksw.v Miss Lewis empty
the jewels out of the dressing-car,e, into her handkerchief.
Policeman John Hard, AQ D.—Saw the plaintia I.