The Sun.
London, England, 1846-05-21 00:00:00

WORSHIP-STREET.

DANGEROUS ASSAULTS AT THE BALLOON EXHIBITION.—
John Collins, Samuel Humphries, and Martin Armstrong,
were charged with throwing bricks and stones amongst the
crowd in the neighbourhood of the Albert Saloon, at Horton,
from which place Mr. C. Green ascended in his balloon on
Monday evening.
Inspector Pearse, of the N division, said, that great crowds
assembled in the neighbourhood to witness the ascent of the
balloon, and a number of people mounted upon the scaffold-
ing at the top of a new building adjacent. Amongst these
were the prisoaers and others, who began a disturbance by
throwing water, and afterwards bricks and stones, at the
crowd below, some of whom also pelted them. Several per-
sons were icjured by the missiles thrown from the scaffold,
and the inspector said he saw a female with her head bleed-
ing. A little boy, named Angles, however, was more seri-
ously hurt, for a brick struck him on the head, and he fell
as if shot, and was carried in a state of insensibility to a
neighbouring surgeon, who dressed the wound on his head.
William Hughes, 13 years of age, now stated that he was
walking up at the time, and saw the prisoner Collins throw
the brick which struck him, and cut him on the head.
Two witnesses corroborated his evidence, and proved that
it was Collins who threw that brick. It was not aimed at
the boy, but thrown at random into the crowd.
The other two prisoners were also throwing, but it was
not proved that they did any actual personal injury.
The rather of the boy Angles stated that he was brought
home in the condition described, and was in a state of deli-
rium during part of the night.
Mr. BROUGHTON, after commenting in severe terms upon
the wanton and dangerous conduct of the prisoners, said he
should not at present dispose finally of the assault from which
the little boy was suffering, and he therefore remanded Col-
lins for a week. The other two prisoners he sentenced to
pay 20s. each, or be imprisoned one month.
George Lewis was charged with throwing a large stone
from the street at one of the men on the scaffold.—He was
fined ss.

SOUHWARK.
A LEAP FROM WATERLT
00-BRIDGE. Charles Smith, a
young man of respectable appearance, was brought before
Cottinghatn, charged 'with making a very determined
attempt upon his life, by throwing himself off the centre arch
of Waterloo-bridge into the river.
Inspector Everest, of the Thames police, stated that on
Sunday night, the 3d instant, about twelve o'clock, while
on duty in a boat on the river, on passing one of the arches
of Waterloo-bridge, the tide running down at the time, his
attention was called on hearing a heavy splash in the water.
He immediately rowed to the spot, and after some little
time saw a snan floating on the surface, and suc-
ceeded in dragging him into the boat. He was per-
fectly insensible, and finding him in that condition, he
lost no time in conveying him with assistance to the
" Feathers" public-house, in the Waterloo-road, and Mr.
Hardey, a surgeon, residing in the neighbourhood, having
been immediately called in, the usual remedies for producing
resuscitation were adopted with success. It was, however,
discovered that the defendant had received such serious in-
juries in precipitating himself from such a height off the
bridge, that it was deemed necessary to have bins afterwards
taken to Charing-cross Hospital, in which institution he re-
mained to the present time. The inspector added, that on
finding the defendant was sufficiently recovered to be enabled
to leave the hospital, he brought him up to this Court to be
dealt with as the magistrate deemed expedient.
Policeman 72 F stated that on the. Sunday night in ques-
tion, while on'duty on Waterloo-bridge, as he was walking
from the north towards the south side. he observed the de-
fendant approaching him from the latter direction. When
the defendant got near him, he made a sudden spring upon
the parapet, and then descended upon the abutment of the
bridge, and although he (policeman) in a moment seized him
by the hair, yet he disengaged himself from his; grasp, and
'ejaculating the words "good bye," precipitated himself head
foremost into the river. The policeman added that he heard
the splash made by the defendant falling into the water; but
although he looked over the parapet he could not distinguish
•laim, owing to the darkness, and he concluded that he was
drowned. He (the policeman) afterwards descended to the
steps of the bridge on the Surrey side, and to his surprise the
inspector and his man were in the act of removing the de-
fendant ashore from their boat.
Mr. COFTINGHAM questioned the defendant as to his situa-
tion in life, and the cause of his having made such a deter-
mined attempt at suicide.
In reply the young man stated that he was in the employ
of Mr. Maudsley, a cutler, in Wych-street, Strand, and that
on the Sunday in question he spent the evening with some
friends at Walworth, and was induced to take more drink
than he was accustomed to do. He had no recollection
of the circumstances above described until subsequent to his
removal to the hospital, and he could now assure the
re
magis-
trate that he deeply regretted the attempt he had a
upon his life.
The defendant's mother, a respectable sfvuomneaxne,eaptttioenndehedle,
and stated that he was a young m
character, and that she was confidaenetahenever thatohad it notwould
havebeen
for the liquor he was advised to tak
attempted such a rash act. She added that
from
thatheprhecaidpiutantfionrg-
tunately sustained such serious injuries
himself off the bridge that she was afraid he would never re-
cover the shock given to his constltutlon.
Mr. CorrixisisAar having addressed someieri delivered up into the useful advice to
the young man, permitted him to be
care of his parent.

FIRE NEAR BERKELEY-SQUARE.—On Tuesday even-
in, about six o'clock, a fire broke out in the house of Mr. Berwick,
Union -street, Berkeley-square. The discovery was made by a per-
son going into an upper room, and in a short time the flames spread
furiously. Messengers were sent for the brigade engines of tits C
and B district, and in the meantime every exertion was used by those
In the house to extinguish the fire. 'I he firemen were prompt In
their attendance, but before the flames were subdued the greater por-
tion of the roof was destroyed, and considerable damage done by
water. The Are WWI said t 9 have originated froth a fpul chimney,

ROBBERY of 2601. in LIVERPOOL.
(From the Liverpool Albion.)
On Saturday a stylish young fellow, who gave his name
John Roberts, but whose real name is Peter Keenan, was
brought before Mr. Rushton, on a charge of having picked
the pocket of Mr. Andrew Leighton, of the firm of William
Leighton and Co., general merchants, South Castle.street, of
his pocket-book, containing Bank of England notes to the
amount of 260!.

Mr. Leighton stated, that he had called at the office of the
Branch Bank of England, Hanover-street, about eleven
o'clock on the morning of that day (Saturday), and obtained
the 260/. in notes, which he placed in his pocket-book.' He
then put the book in the hind pocket of his frock coat, and
proceeded along Hanover-street, in the direction of his
office. He had not gone many paces when he felt a
slight twitch behind, and on putting his hand imme-
diately into his pocket he discovered that the book was
gone. On turning round he saw the prisoner, and lie at
once said to him, " You have got my pocket-book." The
prisoner did not attempt to deny the fact ; he acknowledged
that he had it, and, drawing it forth from the pocket of his
coat, he politely handed it to the complainant, and begged
to be allowed to go quietly about his business.
Mr. Leighton said it was impossible to allow so barefaced
a robbery to be committed with impunity, and, appealing to
a Mr. Williams, of Preston, who stood close by, he asked Lim
if he had seen the transaction?
Mr. Williams replied that he had.
Mr. Leighton then looked about for a policeman, but
being unable to find one, he seized hold of the prisoner, and
a struggle took place between them. The prisoner mani-
fested the greatest possible eagerness to be set at liberty ; he
offered six sovereigns, the gold rings off his fingers, and the
watch from his fob, if Mr. Leighton would relinquish his hold,
but finding that the offer was indignantly rejected, he sought
and obtained permissioa to walk to Bridewell
arm with Mr. Leighton, in order not to attract public notice.
They had not proceeded far together, in this manner, when
the prisoner suddenly withdrew his arm and ran off at the top
of his speed through Cooper's-row. Mr. Leighton followed
and overtook him ; and, after he had given repeated pro-
mises that he would not again attempt to escape, they
walked arm-in-arm to the Bridewell.

Mr. Rushton—Was your money all right? -
Mr. Leighton—All right; it was in the same position as
when I had put it into the pocket-book.
Mr. Owen, who defended the prisoner, endeavoured to
make it appear, on cross-examination, that the book had
dropped; but Mr. Leighton distinctly swore that his pocket
was deep, and that it was quite impossible the book could
have fallen out.

Mr. Peter Williams, of Preston, stated that about a
quarter after eleven o'clock that morning, he was on his
way to the Branch Bank of England, and met three very
respectable-looking persons, the prisoner and two others,
in Hanover-street. Just as he was passing them he saw
the prisoner pick the pocket-book out of Mr. Leighton's
pocket. Thinking that they were all friends, well known to
each other, and that it might have, been a trick, witness
stopped to see whether Mr. Leighton would look serious or
pleased on discovering his loss, and observing that he
looked serious, he instantly went up and stated what he had
seen.

Dawson' the Bridewell-keeper, said that on searching the
prisoner, he found 71. on him, a few papers in the shape of
bills of exchange, and a credit account similar to a credit ac-
count on a bank.

The prisoner declined to say anything in his defence, and
was fully committed for trial at the sessions. •

We have said that he was stylishly dressed. He worn a
suit of black, black frock coat, black satin vest, and black
satin stock, with cream-coloured kid gloves. He was not
unknown to Mr. Parkinson, baying been five times com-
mitted and eight discharged. He made his last appearance
at the Liverpool police. court in 1842, and it is supposed that
he has been almost ever since then acting professionally in
London. Latterly he has been living at one or two very re-
spectable hotels in Liverpool, in first-rate style. His brother
was transported.