The Sun.
London, England, 1853-10-21 00:00:00

BOW-ST_REET-(THIS DAY).

ASSAULT ON 1117NGERFORD-BRIDGE.—John Batchelor, a
journeyman tailor, was charged before Mr. Jardine with
having assaulted two respectable young women on Hun-
gerford-bridge, on Saturday night last.
The complainants, Caroline Pigott, and a young
married woman named Motley, residing in Frances-
street, Waterloo-road, stated that they were crossing the
bridge at about eleven o'clock at night, when the de-
fendant, who was under the influence of drink, accosted
them in a rude manner, placed his arms round
their waist, and proceeded to take indecent liberties with
them. They told him that he had mistaken their
characters, and begged him to desist ; but he con-
tinued to molest them, and on being further repelled he
raised his arm and struck one of them (Caroline Pigott)
on the right eye, having something in his hand which
scratched her eyebrow and caused the blood to flow.
They raised an alarm, and a police-constable on duty
upon the bridge was instantly on the spot. The com-
plainants then gave him into custody, and on the follow-
ing Monday morning attended at Bow-street.
The prisoner in answer to the charge, stated that he
was first assailed by the complainants in a manner which
induced him to believe they were persons of light cha-
racter.

This statement was indignantly denied by the young
women, who were both married, they said, to respect-
able men.

The defendant requested, however, that the magis-
trate, before giving his decision finally, would adjourn
the case, in order that some inquiry should be made as
to the respectability of the young women.
An adjournment accordingly took place, until this
day, and in the meantime, the police having reported
that the complainants were of good character, and mar-
ried women, as they had represented,
Mr. Jardine fined the defendant 3/. or a month's im-
prisonment, and the fine was immediately paid.
One of the complainants, Mrs. Pigott, attended after
the disposal of the case, and asked the magistrate if she
was not entitled to some compensation. Her eye was
still very sore from the blow she received, and her bonnet
had been completely destroyed by the man's violence.
Mr. Jardine said he did not understand her to have
complained of this before, but it was now too late for him
to deal with it. She could proceed against him in the
County Court for the damages.

M.4ELBOROUGH-STBEET.-(THIS DAY.,

ASSAULT ON A POLICE CONSTABLE. - Mr. George
Bagley, an extensive market gardener, residing at
Fulham, was brought before Mr. Hardwick, charged
with being drunk, and assaulting police-constable Gadd,
4A. The constable stated that about ten o'clock last
night he was on duty at the Argyll Rooms, when the
defendant came and tendered his money for admission.
The money-taker, seeing that he (defendant) was drunk,
refused to admit him, and requested complainant to re-
move him. An altercation then ensued, when de-
fendant struck him a violent blow on the side of the
head. Witness then took him into custody, and on the
way to the station he was exceedingly violent.
In reply to the charge defendant said he bad been
dining with some friends and had taken too much wine,
and was not conscious of striking the officer.
Mr. Hardwick said the plea of drunkenness was no
extenuation of the offence. The constable was in the
discharge of his duty, and must be protected. He
should therefore fine defendant 3/. or 14 days.
The money was at once paid.