The Sun.
London, England, 1824-12-10 00:00:00

ASSIZE INTELLIGENCE.

!TOME ClRCUlT.—Cmustsronri, DEc.
The Winter Assizes for this county commenced here yester-
day, before the lion. Mr. Justice Bun ROUGH and the lion.
Mr. Baron GAttnoW. _ _ _

T• &heard Fiun, James Horn, and Patrick CoMns, were in.
dieted for .st.hurglary in the dwelling-house of lames Crossley,
IVcst Ham, in the night of the 20th of September last,
and stealing therein. a clock, a musket, * fowling-piece, seven
silVer spoons; and 'several articles of wearing apparel.
. The Jury, under Mr. Justice Kußatiittott's directions,
found the prisoners guilty, and judgment of lkotis was re-
corded ptirsuant to the Statute.

DEATH FROli HOLING.--.11t122 FT

NOUNCED UT THE JUDGE.

Charles Clarke was indicted for killing and slaying Thomas
Young, at Great Chishall, on the 10th of October last ; and
John Burrows turd Jesse Fowler were indicted as eccessariee to
the same felony and manslaughter.
Mr. Buormitio: conducted the prosecution.
It appeared in evidence that the prisoners, the deceaeed, and
several other men, labourers in husbandry, had met on the night
el the 10th of October, at a public-house in Great (Nem% to
spend their harvest money. Between one and two in the morn.
ing they left the house in a state of intoxication for the purpose
of returning to their respective homes. In their way home some
of the party began to ;day rough tricks upon each other, such
as jostling and slapping one smother's fates. The deceased
did not appear to have taken any part in • this sport, but the
prisoner Clarke challenged hint to light and pushed him into
a ditch. Goaded by this act of aggression, he was prevailed
upon to light. Clarke and lie stripped, and the other prisoners
immediately became seconds. About eight or nine rounds
took place and in the last the deceased fell insensible on the
ground. lie ones taken hone in that state, and died next day.
Mr. Justice BlJOnotroll, in summing up the case to the
Jury, sail; it appeared to him that the affray which terminated
so fatally was what is called fir fight. At all events, it was
not like any of those cases which had of late dligreced the
country—he meant prize fights; in which be was sorry to ob.
serve men were-pitted against each other to fight for 14 purse,
in the presence of thousands of spectators, amongst whom
were persons whose stations, fortunes, and education, he
would have supposed would incline them to mare honourable
and gentlemanly amusements. For his own . part he heartily
Wished that some example would be made of persons actively
°rimed in, or by their countenance encouraging such dist.
graceful contests. Should a case ever come under his judicial
notice, when death was the result, he thought it his duty to de.
clare,.that he sheuld carry the law to its utmost extent. By a
late Act of Parliament OM Geo. IV. C. Mk) Judges were ern.
powereid to sentence offenders eruilty of manslaughter to trans.
.pereatlon for life. The degrading practice which had now be.
come so prevelent, renders ienecessary to make a severe exam.
plc; for the purpose of checking it; and his Lordship had come
to the resolution, in (torment with the other Judges, to lefties
lamented, certain* exceptions,Bl'
the severest penalties upon offenders of, this description. lie
WAS happy, however, to say, that it was very much owing to th
tendency. In Ids opinion, any Magistrate
open countenance or passive tolernOL'e,
good conduct of the Magistracy in most counties of Engle de
his
that this Whetting species of exhibition had been cot 'der nbly'
/dwell. There were, however, he
wh
was unlit ter his station in the Commission. who,ic.ll itra eboin
in
any respect contributed to the encouragement of such wilts.,
strews exerted themselves to put 11. h a stop to such practices, t ey
might expect serious pothse to be taken of their MASSIMO front
the highest quarter dr.theVtate.
The less :flap-
The Jury found the prisoners Cul/Iy, and the Learned Judge
sentenced Clarke and Pottier to twelve months imprisonment
and hard labour, and .nurretes to six months imprisonment and
hard labour, in the House of Correction.