The Sun.
London, England, 1851-10-09 00:00:00

GUILDHALL.

A young woman, of the name of Mary Ann Craig,
was placed at the bar before Alderman Lawrence,
charged with attempting to commit suicide by throw-
ing herself from the parapet of Blackfriars-bridge.
Mr. Percy Cole, of No. 42, Tottenham•street, said,
he was returning home from the Victoria Theatre
shortly after twelve o'clock at night, when he ob-
served the prisoner hanging partially over the parapet
of one of the recesses. A man had hold of her
clothes, and appeared to be pushing her over, and
when witness came up the fellow let go her clothes,
and witness, seeing her heels suddenly rise upper-
most, sprang forward and seized one of her legs just
above the ankle, that being the only part of her per-
son within reach, and drew her back with great diffi-
culty. The man stood by apparently unconcerned,
and when witness requested his assistance he merely
said, " Oh! she is only a drunken woman ; it is no
matter; let her go ;" and almost immediately after
whispered to the witness his intention of fetching a
policeman, but he never returned. Ile denied all
knowledge of the prisoner, but at the station she said
the man was her husband.

Alderman LAWRENCE said, be should like to know
a little more of the prisoner and the man who so un-
ceremoniously left her to her fate, and for that pur-
pose he would remand the case till to-morrow (this
day).
William Webster, cab-driver, 3,528, was sum-
moned for misbehaviour by demanding 4s. for the
hire of a hackney carriage (No. 2,562) for a time not
exceeding two hours, by not wearing his badge con-
spicuously, and by using insulting and threatening
language and gestures to the complainant, in Fleet-
street.

Mr. Thomas Greenhill, of Temple House, East
Ham, stated that he engaged the defendant and his
cab from about two o'clock in the afternoon until
four o'clock. He asked the defendant what was his
fare, and he boldly demanded 43. Complainant then
asked him if he charged by time or distance ? De-
fendant said "by time," and required 2s. per hour.
Complainant said the demand was extortionate, as
the correct fare was only Is. 4d. per hour, at which
rate he paid him. Defendant then commenced
abusing complainant, upon which he desired him to
show his badge, as he intended to summon him. The
badge being concealed under his coat, he tried to get
a view of it, but was not successful. Defendant
threatened to strike complainant if he touched him,
and made use of various insulting gestures.
Alderman LAWBENCH said defendant had been
guilty of great impropriety, and he would therefore
fine him 10s. for demanding more than his fare and
using abusive language, and 23. 61 for not wearing
his badge conspicuously, which, in addition to the
costs, amounted to 1.55., which was paid.
BO ll' -STRE ET.

Yesterday John Rogers, conductor of a Bleckwall
omnibus plying to and from the Exhibition, and
wearing badge 2,074, appeared before Mr. enry
upon two distinct summonses, in which he was
charged with exacting more than his legal fare, and
using abusive and most disgusting language to a
female.

It appeared from the statement of Mrs. Margaret
Clifton, a lady residing with her family in Brompton,
that on the evening of Wednesday last she was wait-
ing with several others at the corner of Sloane-
street for an omnibus, and hearing the defendant call
out " 41 to the 13tink," elle got into the vehicle, de-

siring that he would let her down at the corner of ,
Southampton-street in the Strand. Shortly after
they proceeded on the journey, the vehicle containing.:
one passenger more than should be allowed inside, and
on arriving at her destination she handed him a four-
penny piece, which he declined to take, saying that
Gd. was his fare, and on her declining to accede to his
terms he applied several disgusting epithets towards
her. The circumstances having attracted the atten-
tion of 45 F, in accordance with his advice she con-
sented to pay the defendant Gd. and took his number.
The constable having corroborated the statement of
the complainant as to the overcharge, said that a
shopkeeper in the Strand, in whose hearing the scan-
dalous language was used opposite his door, informed
him that he would gladly attend to give evidence, but
that he was compelled to be present at that moment
in the City on bnsiness.
The defendant denied using the language imputed
to him ; and as regarded the fare, the amount was
legibly painted on the door.
A grocer's assistant, out of employ, said that,
although he was in the omnibus, he heard no abusive
language made use of by the defendant.
Mrs. Clifton assured the Court there was no male
passenger in the omnibus during her journey ; and
the young man being recalled, declared he had no re-
collection of the complainant, and the only reason he
could assign for coming forward to give such evidence
was, that he had given his address at the time in
question, and could not tell why the defendant made
such a request.
Mr. HENRY said a most flagrant case had been
made out against the defendant, for which a severe
punishment should be inflicted; and in order to deter
other conductors from acting in such a disgraceful
manner in future, the defendant should be committed
for one month to hard labour, and, further, his licence
should be suspended for two months.

MARLBOROUGH-,STREET.
William Fisher, a person of gentlemanly appear-
ance, was charged with stealing a cake of chocolate
from the Great Exhibition.

Police-constable Long, 174 G, said he saw the
prisoner in the French department of the Exhibition
about three o'clock that afternoon. The prisoner was
apparently watching him, for as soon as witness pre-
tended to turn away the prisoner took the cake of
chocolate and put it into his pocket. Witness followed
him, and took him into custody. The prisoner begged
earnestly to be allowed to be released, saying he was
a gentleman, and if the matter was pressed it would
be his ruin. Witness found a gold watch and a gold
eye-glass in his posseFsion.
The prisoner said he had no idea of committing a
theft when he took the cake of chocolate. He said
that the chocolate was described as something novel,
and being curious to taste it, he took up a cake and
placed it in his pocket. It was only curiosity that in-
duced him to take the article. It was hardly likely
from his circumstances and station that he should have
contemplated a theft, especially when articles of real
value were equally accessible.
Mr. HARDWICK asked the prisoner what he was ?
The prisoner said he was a German. He was a com-
mission agent, and he resided in Drury-court, St.
Mary-axe.

MI% HARDWICK said it was certainly very incon-
siderate on the part of the prisoner to give way to his,
propensity for tasting the property of other persongf
under such circumstances as might lead to the infer-
ence that robbery was contemplated. As the article
taken was of trifling value, not more than a shilling,
he would take a lenient view of the case, and instead
of sending it to a jury, inflict a fine of 403.
The money was paid.
Patrick Manning was charged with stealing a gold
watch and chain under these circumstances :

Mr. Walter Brettell, stationer, No. 20, New Bond-
street, said he was accidentally looking out of the win-
dow yesterday afternoon. when he saw the prisoner
with a case of razors come out of Mrs. Faire's house,
which was opposite, and where some repairs were being
done. Witness saw the prisoner go up the ladder be-
fore the house and get into the first-floor window.
Suspecting something wrong was intended, he went
over to Mrs. Faire's house, and seeing the prisoner
with a watch-guard hanging out of his pocket, he
asked him where he got it from ? The prisoner began
to cry, and then witness gave him into custody.
Mr. Leonard Gwyn said he lodged at No. 139,
New Bond-street. The gold watch and case of razors
were his property. They were safe in a drawer in his
dressing-room when he went out that morning.
The prisoner made no defence, and was fully com-
mitted.