The Sun.
London, England, 1870-10-04 00:00:00

, LAW AND POLICE.

DANGEROUS DRIVING AND DAMAGE.—Frederick Colvill,
a carman, living at No. 23, Adam Street West, Bryan-
stone Square, was brought up at the Marlborough
Street Police-court, and charged before Mr. Tyrwhitt
with being drunk, acid furiously driving a horse and
cart, and damaginc, a barrow and a quantity of
fruit, of the value of £3 10s., the property of Michael
Leary, a general dealer, of George Street, Bloomsbury.
Sergt. Lindsay, 3 C R, said that on Saturday night he saw
prisoner driving a horse and van along Tichborne-street
at the rate of 8 or 10 miles an hour, and when near the
corner of Piccadilly he came in contact with a barrow
containing a quantity of grapes and pears, and knocked
it over, the fruit being strewn about the road-way. The
prisoner was drunk, and appeared to have no control
whatever over the horse. Mr. Tyrwhitt fined the
prisoner, who said he was not drunk at the time, 20s. for
driving while drunk, and ordered him to pay the damage,
or in default to be committed for a month.
A DESPERATE THIEF AND HIS TORMENTOR. George
Foster, a//as Stevens, described as a picture hawker, ag,pd
24 years, and known to be a most determined and despe-
rate thief, was brought up at the Thames Police-court,
charged with highway robbery. The victim was Mr.
Roland Hirst, a gasfitter, who was attacked in the Com-
mercial Road a few days ago by the prisoner, who made
a snatch at him watch and chain, but only succeeded in
possessing. himself of two gold coins with which the chain
was furnished. Assistance was at hand, and the pri-
soner was secured. George Foster, a detective of the
H division, proved a former conviction against the
prisoner. The prosocuter did not attend. Mr. Paget
sentenced the prisoner to three months' imprisonment
with hard labour. The prisoner : What for ? Mr. Paget :
For being a rogue and vagabond, going about with intent
to commit a felony. The prisoner : But there is no one
against me. Mr. Paget : There is a record of the evidence
given when you were first brought here, and upon that
and the evidence of the City officer, you .have been
convicted.
• •

PICKING POCKETS IN WESTMINSTER ABBEY.—A man o
middle stature, with auburn hair and beard, who at first
refused his name and address, but afterwards gave the
name of Francis Webb, was charged at the Westminster
Police-court with stealing from the person of Miss Maria
Winter, a purse containing gold and silver and railway
tickets. Miss Winter said she lived at Herne Grove,
Brixton, and was at Westminster Abbey on Saturday
with a 'party of young ladies and friends ; she felt a severe
pressure behind, and saw the prisoner go rapidly away,
and feeling in her pocket lost her purse and contents ; she
went rapidly after him, and ran into lithe street, abut
prisoner was then in the hands of a constable. Edward
Scott, 121 A, said he was on duty at the entrance of the
crypt under St. Stephen's Hall and saw the prisoner
running ; he caught him, and found the purse in his hand.
He said he had picked it up ; a verger from the Abbey
had seen him, an I said he was constantly there, and
witness believed he was known to the police. On the
application of Inspector Holmes, Mr. Woolrych remanded
him till Thursday.
OBSTRUCTING PASSENGER TRAFFIC. —The first conviction
under the-Metropolitan Streets Act took place at Guild-
hall on Saturday. Four youths were charged with ob-
structing the thoroughfare in King William-street, and
in front of the Mansion House, by unlawfully distributing
printed notices and advertisements, and Mr. Harding,
their employer, a manufacturer of flexible roofing, was
summoned for aiding and abetting them. The solicitor
for the defendants admitted the charge, but argued that
the case did not come within the Act. Mr. Alderman
Finnis, the presiding magistrate, however, was of a diffe-
rent opinion, but, in consideration of its being the first
case of the sort, imposed merely nominal fines.
EXTRAORDINARY CHARGE AGAINST A BANKER'S CLERK.
—At the Mansion House yesterday, before the Lord
Mayor, William Whitnell, a clerk in the London and
County Bank, was charged with attempting to steal from
the person of Mr. Harris, a solicitor's clerk. The pro-
secutor stated that he went into the Dyers Arms, near
the Cannon - street Station, and while waiting
to be served a row ensued, when the prisoner,
as he thought, made a snatch at his chain,
which was broken and his watch fell on the floor.
While picking it up the prisoner, he alleged, ran away to
Cannon-street Station, where he was captured. The
defendant stated that he had been in the London County
Bank for 29 years, and it was found on inquiry that this
was correct. Mr. Gough, principal clerk, and the mana-
ger of the Bank, bore testimony to his excellent character,
and the Lord Mayor. discharged him, stating that he be-
lieVed a man who had 29 years' good character did not be-
come a thief in a moment.
A DESPERATE FATHER.—James Allen, a leather cutter,
living at 23, Coat-yard, Drury-lake, was charged at Bow-
street Police-court, yesterday,' before Mr. Flowers,
with assaulting and threatening the life of his sons.
James Allen, jun., a quiet-looking man, stated
that he was also a leather cutter, and resided with his
father and • mother in Drury-lane. On Saturday after-
noon there. was some conversation about moving. Some
dispute arose, and the defendant threw a plate and cup at
his wife: Complainant stood in front of his mother. De-
fendant then and-there rushed at complainant, and struck
him on the face, and marked it. He was a most desperate
and violent man, and these quarrels were of very frequent
occurrence. The second son stated that he was afraid to
give evidence, as his father would certainly kill him.
The defendant here became most excited. He declared
he was a good husband and a good father. He turned
his back to the magistrate, and raved to the auditors in
court, and called upon them to " behold his recompense."
He said a " retribution would come," and begged that
Mrs. Sullivan, the landlady, should be called on his behalf.
Mrs. Sullivan, who, however, appeared very frightened
of the defendant, stated that on Saturday he drew out 'a
knife to his wife.—Mrs. Flowers :.This is the retribution
you were calling? I shall remand you for a week. •

The Wonzen's Suffrage Journal (at the head of
which are Mr. Jacob Bright and Miss Becker) calls at-
tention to the regulations for open competitive exami-
nations for temporary employment in the Government
departments, and the desirability of memorialising the
Government to obtain the extension of the examinations
to women and girls. Women are already employed by
the Government as telegraph clerks, and our juvenile con-
temporary thinks there is no reason for excluding them
from employment as writers.