The Sun.
London, England, 1858-02-04 00:00:00

CRIMINAL COURT.—(This Day.)

OLD COURT.
(Before Baron Bramwell.)

THE LATE FATAL BULL ACCIDENT IN STONECUTTER-STREET.

A livery-stable keeper, named Child, surrendered to
answer a charge of manslaughter.
It will be remembered that on the 18th December a
white bull ran from a herd of 40 that were being driver)
from the New Cattle Market in the direction of Farring-
don-street, and became infuriated by being pursued by
several persons. The bull having at length run into the
ride of the defendant's premises, and the parties there
becoming alarmed, it was knocked down, and they
afterwards endeavoured to turn it out. A
policeman came up, and the drover, who, finding the
bull in a quiet state, requested the defendant to allow
the bull to remain in the yard ; but he refused, and
insisted upon its being driven out. It ran up several
streets, and knocked several persons down, amongst
whom was the unfortunate deceased, who had six of his
ribs broken. He was removed to St. Bartholomew's
Hospital, where he did on the 3d of last month. The
bull was not secured until he had ran as far as White-
friars-dock.

At the conclusion of the evidence for the prosecution,
Mr. Robinson said the evidence that had been adduced
did not in the slightest degree affect Mr. Child. He
had done nothing more than he was justified i■ doing to
protect the lives of his servants and the valuable property
at that moment on his premises. Suppose, for instance,
a bull ran into a china-shop, would not not the propreitor
be justified in expelling the trespasser ? He thought he
would.

Baron Bramwell—Suppose a tiger came into your
drawing-room, where you were sitting, were you bound
to keep him there, or drive the creature out, knowing it
to be by nature a dangerous animal /

Mr. Robinson submitted that you were positively
justified, in self-defence, in turning the animal out.
Baron Bramwell—lf the tiger Game into the drawing
room and, while I was taking means to secure it, eat my
child up. Butthere is a question whetherl bad a right to
turn him out knowing he could do no mischief. What I
submit to the jury is, did the defendant turn out
the bull knowing at the time he was a dangerous animal
and likely to do mischief ? It is like two men struggling
for a plank—is the one bound to want for the other I
Mr. Robinson said there was no evidence that the
defendant knew the bull was likely to do mischief.
Baron Bramwell—l think there is ; but should the
jury convict the defendant I shall reserve the point for
the decision of the judges.

Mr. Robinson then addressed the jury for the prisoner
and contended that the defendant was justified in doing
as he had done finding that the bull was destroying his

property.

A. nntnber of witnerses were called to show that the
defendant merely ordered the bull to be driven out—
that he was not beaten by sticks but that he eventually
quitted the yard of his own accord.

The jury returned a verdict of not guilty.

NEW COURT.
(Before the Recorder.)

LIBEL. —James Cowan, convicted of libel, was this
morning brought up for judgment, and being called upon
in the usual manner, entered into a lengthened state-
ment that he did not consider he ought to be subjected
to any punishment. He had not been actuated by
animosity in what he had done, but had merely been
actuated by a desire to benefit the public.
The Recorder, after referring to the chizracter of the
libel, sentenced the defendant to twelve months' impri-
sonment, and at the end of that time to find two
securities, and to enter into his own recognisances in
2401., to be of good behaviour for two years.

POLICE INTELLIGENCE.--'(This Day.)

MA RLBOROUGH-STREET.

ASSAULT ON THE POLIO& —William Welch, aged 29 ;
Michael Larkin, 29 ; Thomas Johnson, 21 ; Patrick
Mack, 25 ; and Mary Larkin, were charged, the wale
prisoners with assaulting several police-constables, and
the female with exciting the mob to rescue the others
from custody.
Police-constable C 74 said he saw the prisoners, who
were drunk, creating much disturbance in Charles-street,
Soho, at about 12 o'clock last night. They had been
turned out of a public-house, which appeared to have
provoked them, and hence their disorderly conduct.
Sergeant Silverton said he came up to the assistance
of 74, and saw Larkin strike the latter a severe blow in
the face, and as be laid bold of him threw him down.
All the male prisoners took part in the assault, and
their language was very bad. LI 89 and others came up
and were likewise assaulted. On their way to the station,
when taken into custody, they kicked repeatedly the
policemen ; the female, by her language, endeavouring
to excite the mob to the rescue Of the others.

Larkin fined 403. or 14 days ; the rest of the male
prisoners 20s. or 7 days ; and the female discharged.