The Sun.
London, England, 1867-03-23 00:00:00

BOW-STREET.

THE BENEFIT OF A GOOD CHARACTER.—John
Biddle, cab-driver, living in Southampton-street,
Camberwell, was placed at the bar before the sitting
magistrate, on the charge of being drunk during
his employment, and causing damage to a fire-
escape.
James Ward, A 290, ststed that while on duty
last night at a quarter to 12 o'clock he perceived a
crowd at the top of Bow-street. He at once pro-
ceeded there and saw a conductor of the fire-escape
holding the horse of the prisoner's cab. The escape
was on the ground, and he (constable) took the
prisoner, who was drunk, into custody. The pri-
soner said he was neither drunk nor sober, but was
half way."
E. Brown, foreman to Mr. Clark, fire-escape
maker, Burton-crescent, said that the fire-escape
was now lying in the yard very much broken. It
could not now be repaired under £lO.

Conductor Christopher said that he was standing
inside the box near the escape when he suddenly
heard a crash, and he only saved himself by stepping
back a few inches from the falling machine. lie
immediately ran after the cab and held the horse.
He could not tell whether the prisoner was driving
rapidly or not. The iron bar and many of the steps
were broken. The prisoner said the horse shied at
the escape—this is often the case.
The magistrate remarked that he could not be-
lieve it, and he thought it very likely indeed that
any horse would be frightened at a fire-escape.
James Brooks deposed that he drove the prisoner's
cab home last night, and that on several occasions
during the journey the horse shied at the most trifling
circumstance. A police-constable was inside, and
if he had not pulled the rein tightly the horse and
cab would have been on the pavement, and most
likely capsized altogether.
The magistrate, in concluding the case, observed
that he was not going to deal with the charge of
damaging the escape, but only with reference
to the prisoner being drunk, and that most
likely, if this had not been case, the accident
would not have happened at all. As it was he
should only fine the prisoner 10s. or seven days,
but a constable should inquire as to the prisoner's
character, and if the charge of the damages was to be
preferred against the prisoner a summons would be
issued for that purpose.
About half an hour afterwards, at the request of
the magistrate, the prisoner was brought back, and
on account of his very good character the fine
was reduced to 2s. 6d.

WESTMINSTER.

ASSAULTING A WITNESS.—Edward Condon, a
boy 14 years of age, was charged before Mr. Selfe
with assaulting a little boy named George Wilson,
of 28, Broadway, Westminster.
Complainant said he worked at a greengrocer's.
On Wednesday afternoon he was at the top of
Strutton-ground, Westminster, when the prisoner
came behind him and struck him over the head with
a piece of wood, which cut his head open. He
did it angrily, because complainant came up as a
witness against a companion of prisoner's on the
Tuesday, and since then he had been continually
attacked by these rough boys. Ile met him again,
and prisoner struck him in the mouth.
Prisoner said he and his companions and com-
plainant were iu the ruins (Victoria-street) on Sa-
turday. He gave complainant 2d. to get something,
which he stole, and when, prisoner met him again
he struck him in the mouth.
There were no witnesses on either side.

Upton, the constable who took the prisoner on
the warrant, said he was a bad character, and last
night denied all knowledge of the complainant or
the assault.

The complainant declared that what prisoner said
about the 2d. was untrue.

Mr. Selfe said it was all very well when boys got
playing and gave each other a cuff, but when it
came to assaulting a person who had given evidence
it was a more serious matter. The name of Conden
was familiar to him, but he would not visit the sins
of others on the prisoner, whom he fined 10s., or 7
days. The next boy who assaulted another who
had given evidence would .be sent to prison without
the option of a fine.
The prisoner was locked up in default.