The Sun.
London, England, 1854-09-19 00:00:00

CENTRAL CRIMINAL COURT—Sept. 18.

John Ainstie Penson, 20, a respectable-looking young
man, pleaded guilty to an indictment charging him with
stealing bank notes of the value of 600/., the property cf
his employers, Thomas Gabriel and others.
The Recorder sentenced the prisoner to be kept to
hard labour for twelve months.

Shortly after this case had been disposed of the Court
was thrown into a state of the greatest excitement by an
incident of the most extraordinary character. An elderly
person, of most respectable appearance, who had been
sitting on the seat under the judge's bench, deliberately
got up and walked to the counsels' table, and, placing
himself close to Mr. Giffard, who was the first gentle.
man on the seat, he said, in an earnest and solemn tone,
" Do you remember Cardiff ?" and at the same time
placed the muzzle of a pistol close to his cheek and
pulled the trigger. The weapon exploded with a slight
report, and, from what was afterwards discovered, it
appeared that the bullet which it had contained had
dropped from the barrel. The powder being thus
scattered, the fatal intention was frustrated, and the
effect of the discharge was merely to occasion a slight
injury to the cheek of the learned gentleman who had
been made the subject of so deadly an attack. For an
instant the Court was almost paralysed, but there were
speedy cries to seize the p irty, and Russell, one of the
City detective policemen, and Rutland, who is an officer
attached to the corporation, seized the prisoner. Mr
Sheriff Wallis at once directed that he should be
searched to see if he had any other deadly weapons
about his person ; and the prisoner, with great
coolness, exclaimed, "Yes ; I have another pistol,"
and added, "It is loaded," at the same time taking a
pistol from his breast pocket, and hai.ding it tcL the
officers ; and upon its being examined it was found to
be loaded with ball. The escape of Mr. Giffard was
most miraculous ; for if this second weapon had been
used instead of the other, some deadly injury, if not loss
of life, must necessarily have been the consequence.
When he had reeovareci himself sufficiently he looked
at his assailant, and was astonished to find that he was
an utter stranger.

The prisoner, who exhibited the utmost composure,
but whose appearance gave strong manifestations of
insanity, was then removed to the sheriff's parlour, and
Mr. Alderman Finnis and Sir John Musgrove at once
proceeded there to take the necessary depositions. The
prisoner gave his name as Hugh Pollard Willoughby,
and said he was the brother of Sir Henry Willoughby,
and that he was a clergyman, and resided at Oxford.
Upon hie being searched, a gold watch and chain, 51. in
gold, 12s. in silver, and four keys were found upon him.
The prisoner expressed a desire to have the assistance of
a gentleman of the bar, and upti Mr. Sheriff Wire ask-
ing him the name of the gentleman whom he wished to
be present, he first mentioned Mr. Clarkson, and on
being told that that gentleman had left the court, he
named Mr. Bodkin, and then Mr. Ballanthie. lle
was informed that those gentlemen had also gone
away, but it turned out that Mr. Clarkson had not
left the building, and lie shortly afterwards entered
the room, aril upon his making an application to
that effect the prisoner was permitted to retire in the
charge of an officer, and an opportunity was afforded
him to have a private conference with the learned gen-
tleman.

In the course of a few minutes the prisoner was
brought back, and Mr. Clarkson then, alLircssing the
presiding alderman, said he believed there was no doubt
that the prisoner had truly represented himself to be a
clergyman, and, that he was a man of family. He was
not aware what course the magistrates might think it
right to adopt under such extraordinary and exciting
circumstances, but he said he would venture to suggest
that tho most advisable course to be taken was, to have
formal proof given in connection with the charge against
the prisoner, and then postpone any further inquiry to
a future day.
Mr. Alderman Finnis said that he and Sir John Mils.
grove had considered what steps were the best to take,
and they had agreed upon the course suggested by the
learned counsel.

Mr. Clark then took down briefly the depositions of
the witnesses Russell and Rutland, and also the evi-
dence of a gentleman named Hall, who was in the court
at the time of the extraordinary occurrence. Mr. Lilley,
the barrister, who was sitting next to Mr. Giffard the
time the pistol was discharged, was likewise examined,
and he stated that a portion of the exploded percussion
cap struck him in the face.
It should be stated that, at the commencement of the
proceedings, Mr. Clarkson intimated that the assistance
of an attorney would be requisite to obtain the necesary
instructions, and Mr. Wontner consented to act in that
capacity for the prisoner.

Mr. Clarkson, when the necessary evidence had been
taken, addressed the bench, and said they would of
course anticipate that, whatever might ultimately be
urged as matter of defence, he should not attempt to give
any answer •at present. He inquired to what day the
further hearing of the case would be postponed ?
Alderman Finnis said he should propose to adjourn
the inquiry for a week ; but upon Mr. Clarkson stating
that Saturday would be a more convenient day for him
than Monday, the beach consented to that day being
fixed for the further hearing.
A warrant for -the commitment of the prisoner to
Newgate was then made out, and he was removed in
custody.