The Sun.
London, England, 1867-08-27 00:00:00

WESTMINSTER.

VIOLENT AND UNPROVOKED AsSAULT.—WiIIiaM Ward,
a discharged soldier from the Scots Fusilier Guards, was
charged as follows:—
Samuel Whitcroft, of 22, Castle-lane, Westminster, em-
ployed as time-keeper by Mr. Tyler, of 'Wood-street, West-
minster, builder, said that he went into tho Stag public-
house in Castle-lane, on Monday night, with his brother,
and went into the skittle ground, where the prisoner and
five soldiers were playing at skittles. A strange man
made a bet with a soldier, and then picked up his money,
alleging that the throw was not fair, whereupon the pri-
soner attacked the man, their partners, and his brother.
He lost a quantity of blood ; never saw prisoner before in
his life; did not speak to him or give him the slightest
provocation.
Prisoner denied the charge in tote, and said the com-
plainant made a bet and then cried off, and, upon being
spoken to, struck the first blow. He then knocked com-
plainant down, and also his brother, who came to his as-
sistance.

Mr. Arnold said that was the more probable story.
Tho brother of complainant corroborated him in every
particular.
In answer to Mr. Arnold, they both denied betting;
they had no money, and never spoke to prisoner. Ho said
he would servo them all alike. _

Prisoner said ho had witnesses, but they were on
parade, and would soon bo in attendance. lie did not
want the case put off, as he was going to Hull to-
morrow. _ _

Mr. Arnold told complainant if the defendant established
the defence ho had set up ho should order him (com-
plainant) to pay costs.
To this complainant assented.
The case was put back for the attendance of the
soldiers.

TIT:I3IES.

1101111ERT AT SEA.—William Lynch, a seaman, was
brought before Mr. Benson, charged with stealing a watch
valued at £5, tho property of James Passmore, on board
the ship Tynedale, on the high seas.
The prosecutcr stated that he belonged to 'Windsor,
in Berkshire, and was at present lodging at the 'Wind-
mill public-house, in Shadwoll. He joined the T ynedale
at New York, on tho 22d of last month, and when ho
came on board ho throw off his shore clothes, including his
waistcoat, in the pocket of which was a heavy silver hunt-
ing watch with a gold face to it. He put his shore clothes
into his bunk in the forecastle, and nine hours afterwards
missed his watch. The prisoner was a shipmate and slept
in the same forecastle. A man, who had since gone to sea,
saw the prisoner take the watch, and another ;man now
present saw it in the prisoner's possession in London.
Last night, in consequence of information, ho spoke to the
prisoner about the watch, and he said he knew nothing
at all about it. Tho prisoner afterwards said he found the
watch in the forecastle, and he had sold it, but to whom he
did not know. The watch was a family relic, and ho would
not have parted with it for £2O.

William Penderd, ordinary seaman, said ho also came
home in the Tynedalo. 110 saw the prisoner with the
prosecutor's watch in the boarding house in Shadwell.
Baca Davis, police constable, No. 193 K, took the pri-
soner into custody last night, and ho said to the prosecutor
" if you won't lcck me up I will tell where the watch is and
get it for you." The prisoner afterwards said ho hold sold
the watch to a Jew for Bs. and did not know where ho
lived.
The prisoner said ho found a watch in the forecastle of
the Tynedalo soon after leaving New York, and ho did not
know it belonged to the prosecutor, who never said any-
thing on board about losing a watch.
Air. Benson committed the prisoner for trial.