The Sun.
London, England, 1841-04-26 00:00:00

HATTON-GARDEN.

Mr. Samuel Cummins, a barrister in the Middle-tem-
ple, was brought before Mr. Combe under the following
circumstances:—

George Harding, Esq., of 15 Montagu-street, Rus-
sell-square, stated that he had married the sister of the
defendant, and her mother was at present living in his
house. On going home to dinner on Friday witness was
informed by his wife that the prisoner was in the parlour,
and that he had been c.mducting himself in a very violent
manner. Her extreme agitation satisfying him that more
had occurred than she had then time or was willing to ex-
plain, he hastily entered the parlour, and desired the ac•
cused to quit the place. He refused to comply until he
had seen his mctber, and s,itness, not having the slightest
objection to such an interview, bade him remain where he
was until he had conveyed her to his wishes. The de-
fendant being quite agreeable to that course, he (com-
plainant) went to his mother, and she positively refused to
have anything m ,re to say t t the prisener. He made thi,
known to the accused, and said that it was the wish of
mother and sister that he should leave the premises; he
should insist upon his departure, threatening, in case of
refusal, to call in a constable. Remonstrances being use-
less, witness was under Vie painful necessity of requiring
the attendance of a policeman (.f the E division, in whose
presence the defendant committed an assault which might
have been attended with fatal consequences.
Mr. COMB E—Did you use any force to him? Com-
plainant. —When I had obtained the presence of a police-
man, I said to the prisoner that force would be resorted to
in case he would not act according to my wishes. Again
and again I urged him to go quietly away, without laying
my hand upon him, but I could not prevail on him. At
length, I took hold of his arm, and raised him gently from
the sofa, on which he was reclining, when he broke from
me, and seizing a poker aimed a blow at my head. At
the instant, I raised my arm a and shied, and the
poker fortunately slid from the arm on my back.
Mr. CONIBE —What dii he say when you threatened to
remove him by force? Complainant—lle said that I.
being the most powerful man, might be able to do so, as
he had no weapons or fire-arms then about him. He,
however, would call another time with some such instru.
ment, and defy me to touch him.
Mr. COMBE —Does be lodge in your house ? Com-
plainant—lle does not.
Defendant—But I had a right to go there.
Mr. COMB E —Only as a visitor. This gentleman (point-
ing to the complainant) is the master of his own house,
and, therefore, could order you out it he did not approve
of your being there. What have you to say to the charge
of assaulting him? Defendant—He committed the first
outrage by seizing me by the arm.
Mr. COMBS--But as a barrister you must know that he
was justified in using force to eject you from his dwelling.
He considered you an intruder. Still nothing would jus-
tify you in defending yourself will a poker, unless it were
for the protection of your lift. Whether there be any
cause for your irritation with Mr. Harding, I know not,
neither is it my province to inquire. A gross breach of
the peace has been committed, and by mere chance it is it
did not terminate in a crime for which your life might pay
the forfeiture. I shall order you to find bail, yourself in
200/., and two sureties in 1001., to keep the peace, and
answer the charge at the ensuing Sessions. The course
which your brother-in-law will take on your trial will de-
pend upon your conduct between now and then, aid the
contrition you evince, which I hope upon reflection you
will consider is abundantly due to him.

Defendant—l .gym sorry I have broken the law. Ido
not, neither shall 1, regret anythiog else.
Mr. COMBE—The charge is a most scrims one, and if
you persist in thi; course a heavy punishment, I fear awaits
you. You arc now committed.
The defendant, who was very fashionably attired, was
then locked up.