The Sun.
London, England, 1846-12-30 00:00:00

BOW-STREET.

Signor Philip Cioffi appeared to answer a complaint
preferred against him by his wife, of neglecting to
maintain her and his daughter, whereby they became
chargeable to the Strand Union authorities.
Mr. Boswood, the relieving officer, having handed to
the court a printed order, signed by Mr. Cooper, an
overseer of St. Paul's, Covent-garden, said that, in
obedience to it, he waited on the complainant, who was
lodging at 5, Tavistock-street, her husband residing at
No. 40, in the same street, and from her representation
it appeared she had come from America with her
daughter, to fill situations in Covent-garden Theatre,
where her husband was to be engaged in the orchestra,
he having resigned the place he bad filled at her Majesty's
Theatre. Having ascertained that the defendant was
living with another woman, he waited on him to hear
what reasons he could advance for allowing his wife to
become chargeable : he refused to give any until the
case was brought before the court.
The complainant being sworn, said that having eloped
with the defendant from her father's house in New
York, she was married to him on the 4th of October,
1846, as appeared by the certificate produced. The
ceremony was performed by the Rev. Henry Chase in
private, as she feared her father would prevent her
marrying, she being a member of the Church of Eng-
land. The only form observed was, that they mutually
promised to become partners for life, and there were a
few prayers read, but there was no ring, as on similar
occasions. The defendant, she believed, was a Catholic,
but he adhered to no religion in particular, and they had
lived together for several years, except when he was
obliged to absent himself on theatrical business. She in
consequence of ill-health, and through the mediation of
Mr. Felton, who lodged in the same house, obtained
parish relief from the Strand Union.
The defendant denied that his wife was compelled to
seek for parish relief, as she had sufficient money in her
possession, arising from the sale of his property in Ame-
rica, in addition to which he sent her 20L about six
months back.
Mr. HALL put several questions to the complainant,
and from her answers it appeared that she had disposed
of two lots of ground, which, however, were of very little
value ; and also a slave, for whom she had got 505
dollars, from which 35 were deducted, and she had
paid 75 dollars for medical assistance, together with
12 dollars fur medicine, for all of which she could pro-
duce receipts ; and on her arrival in England, on
Saturday week, she had 100 dollars, part of which she
expended in the purchase of clothing fur herself and her
daughter, and the reason why she had applied to the
parish was, that she anticipated her husband, at whose
repeated solicitations she had come to the country, would
support her.
Mr. HALL said that the case was not ripe for magis-

terial interference, and he would suggest that she should
arrange her differences in a quiet and satisfactory man-
ner with her husband.
The complainant said that she would prefer return-
ing to America, where she could support herself by
teaching music, to accepting of any engagement in Lon-
don, as her husband had deceived her in many ways
for years.
Mr. HALL said he could express no other opinion upon
the matter, and the parties left the Court.
CLERKENWELL.

James Ayre was charged with breaking into the house
of his employer, Mr.W. Hailes, and stealing, in conjunc-
tion with a person already in custody, named Shanley,
the sum of 2L 195., in copper money, from the office
desk.

It appeared from the statement of the constable, that
he saw the prisoner and Shanley get out of a cab on
Thursday last in Golden-lane, and perceiving the latter
to be carrying a large and weighty bundle, he followed
him into a coffee-house, when in the bundle was found
copper to the above amount tied up in cartridges. On
inquiry at Mr. Hailes, it was ascertained that his house
had been broken into on the preceding night.
The prisoner was remanded till Friday.
William Todd was charged witli stealing a watch, the
property of Mr. William Alford, of No. 17, Belithe-
terrace, Barnsbury-park, under the following circum-
stances :

The prosecutor stated that on last Wednesday the
prisoner came to his (Mr. Alford's) house, and stated
that he was directed by the landlord to call, and make
some alterations in the locks of the doors and the bells,
and soon after he left ; the watch which had been hang-
ing in a room upstairs was missed.

-The prisoner, in his defence, denied having been at
the house, and was remanded, in order that he might
bring evidence in support of his assertion.
John Wagstaff was charged with having stolen a
pocket-book, containing bank notes to the amount of
301., from the person of Mr. W. Shaw.
The prosecutor on Saturday went to a public-house
called the Rising Sun, in the New-road, to pay his ac-
count, having in his pocket-book at the time four 101. notes,
one of which he gave to Mr. Savage, the landlord, and
returned the remaining three into his side pocket. The
prisoner and a number of other cabmen who were pre-
sent began sparring. The prisoner pretended to fall
against Mr. Shaw, and while that gentleman reeled
backwards thrust his hand into his pocket, took the
money, and ran off. He was taken the following day.
The notes have not been recovered.

The prisoner, who reserved his defence, was remanded
in order that the police might have time for further in-
quiries as to the disposal of the money.
MARLBOROUGH-S7'REET.

Charles Groves was charged with breaking the lamp
belonging to the Refuge for the Houseless, in Upper
Ogle-street.
James R. Goddart, clerk to the institution, said the
porter was called to the door on Monday night about half-
past ten by a loud knocking, where the prisoner stood
to make application for admission. Upon being asked
whether he had ever been in the house before, the pri-
soner said he had not, and was admitted ; but after
washing himself he returned to the office, and there
complainant recognised him as having been in the house
for six successive nights. The complainant explained
that the laws of the charity allowed to admit people no
more than three nights, at the same time that a devia-
tionwas
admission
by adTohpeteydwwouhledrehathree extremity
permtted of
th et
phreiseoanseer re-
quired.to
he bad gained
remain for the night, but that
by falsehood, and was in a state of intoxication. They
attachedth ere
fur put e t utth he i
institution
sot
iut out, t
iaonnd
oaufttseird
et h. at he broke the lamp
The prisoner was then arraigned for an assault on
one of the prisoners in a cell at the Clerk's-buildings
station, St. Giles's.
F. Bicknell said he had been locked up for being
drunk; and on Monday night the prisoner being brought
into the same cell, became very abusive to witness, who
was sleeping, and did not answer him ; whereupon the
prisoner began to punch him severely in the face.
Mr. LONG said the prisoner had seriously abused an
excellent charity. He sentenced the prisoner to a fine
of 40s. or one months' imprisonment.
apnmrgeevdioCu previous
severalan ,i Burke,gphuthtlihe
houses, calling for liquor, refusing to pay, and creating a
K.
e
Three ruffianly-looking
disturbance.
sdt
uLr
baanngce
e, were
llt appeared
acphilpae7agrUeeddr" W R
that
fellows,
nwenstiheerni
three defendants walked into a public-house in Webber-
street, and having called for and drank a pint of gin,
refused to pay for it. The barman on insisting for pay-
ment was struck, audit was found necessary to call for a
policeman, who in taking the defendants into custody
was assaulted by them. At the station-house their con-
duct was described as violent in the extreme : and it
was further stated that previously to the defendants visit
'at the public-house in Webber-street, they had called at
three others, where they had liquor, for which they also
refused to pay, on the ground that they were out of em-
ployment, and must be served free of expense.
Mr. &OYER said that the defendants were very much
mistaken if they supposed they were justified in entering
a man's house, calling for liquor, and drinking it without
paying for it, and then assaulting the bar-man. The
Magistrate then inflicted fines of 20s. each on the defend-
ants, who, in default, were committed to the House of
Correction.

Edward Smith, s stable-man, was charged with

assaulting Mr. Thomas Phillips, who described himself
as private secretary to General Hay.
The complainant said that he came up from Chatham
on her Majesty's service, and went into a public house
in Blackfriars-road for the purpose of taking a glass of
ale. While in the house the defendant came behind
him and knocked his hat over his eyes. He (complain.
ant) remonstrated against such a piece of impertinence,
and some high words having taken place, the defendant
l struck him, and he gave him into custody.
The landlord of the house was called, and he
said that Mr. Phillips was in the habit of " larking "
with the defendant whenever he came to the
house ; that he (the witness) had seen the com-
plainant strike defendant over the head with a
stick, and then say it was done in a joke. How-
ever, the defendant did not teem to relish such jokes,
and threatened to strike hi; assailant if ever he struck
him again ; and that on the preceding afternoon, he
(witness) entered the room at the moment the parties
were scuffling together. The witness added that, in his
opinion, the complainant was the aggressor in the first in-
stance, by maltitg so free with the stable-man, and
playing off practical jokes.
The MAGISTRATE said if the complainant held the
situation he described, and was in her 4.Vlajesty's service,
he had much better have proceeded on his business than
to have entered the ale-house and commenced " lark-
ing '? with the defendant. As, however, an assault bad
been proved, he should inflict a fine of sixpence on the
defendant.

The corriplain,nt off, red to pay the fine, but the de-
fendant refused to allow him, saying he could psy it
hima‘lf.

ORSIIIP

)-S7'REET.

One of the most brmal and unprovoked cases of
assault was brought. before Mr. Bingham for adjudica-
tion which it has for some time past been our painful
duty to record.
Mr. Joseph Penman, a master cabinet-maker, of 19,
Myrtle-street, Ifoxton Old-town, 'having been sworn,
stated that on Monday afternoon the prisoner, whose
name is Hardy, and who was in his employment, called
at witness's establishment and demanded money which
was not due to him. Perceiving that he had been drink-
ing, witness remonstrated with him, and, taking him
gently by the arm, advised him to go home. Prisoner
struck him a violent blow in the face. The scuffle which
ensued brought forward Mrs. Penman, but the ruffian
had no sooner seen her, than he caught hold of her and
struck her with all his force several times in the face,
until she dropped upon the floor, where he also struck
her, and, but for the arrival of a police-constable, murder
would most probably have been the result.
Mrs. Penman came forward, but upon her removing
her veil, {a cry of horror pervaded the court, not a
feature in her face being visible; her chin, nose, cheeks,
and forehead, being one mass of bruises, and both her
eyes closed (although this, at first sght, may appear to
be somewhat coloured, it is nevertheless far from being
so), and as it was evident that she could not get into the
witness-box, Mr. Bingham kindly desired her to be
handed a seat, when SD he briefly corroborated what had
been before stated.

Mr. BINGHAM—This is so serious a matter that it is
almost out of my power to dispose of it.

Mr. Penman here said that he would leave the case in
the magistrate's hands.
Mr. BINGHAM, alluding to Mrs. Penman's approach-
ing confinement said, that under those circumstances it
would perhaps be better for him to do so, and be would
go as far as the law would permit him. He should fine
the prisoner for the assault upon the female 51., or two
months' imprisonment, and 21. for the assault upon her
husband, or one month's imprisonment, the second im-
prisonment to commence after the termination of the first.
The prisoner, who is a savage, athletic-looking fellow
was, in default, locked up.