The Sun.
London, England, 1859-09-24 00:00:00

BOW-STREET.

Two fashionably-dressed Frenchmen, who gave the
names of Collin and Loeompt, were placed at the bar,
charged with assaulting a man named Collings.
The complainant said he was potman at the Angel and
Sun public-house, Strand. About four o'clock this morn-
ing the two prisoners entered the house in company with
two females, called for some half-and-half, and afterwards
seated themselves opposite the bar. They then commenced
pulling the women about in so indecent a manner that his
n►istress, Mrs. Partridge, ordered him to clear the house,
aad as he was quietly persuading the prisoners to
quit the place, he happened to put his hand on
Collin's shoulder, when he instantly threw him
(complainant) to the ground, and attempted to
gouge out his eye. A struggle ensued, when Lecompt
came to the assistance of his friend, and kicked complainant
violently in the faco. The assistance of the police was ob-
tained, and both the men were locked up.
Mrs. Partridge, landlady of the Angel and Sun, corrobo-
rated the evidence of her servant. She also said she
had no doubt, had not assistance arrived, the poor fellows
eye would have been seriously injured.
The police constable who took the prisoners into custody,
said when he did so they were both drunk.
Collin, in answer to the charge, said it was untrue. He
never took the girls into the house at all, but met them
there when he went to get to some half-and-half. The
cause of the disturbance was the refusal of himself and
friend to " stand treat "to the girls. As to assaulting the
potman, he merely acted in self-defence, for, instead of
acting in the mild manner he had stated he had done, he
took off his coat and seemed as if ho intended to have a
regular " set-to."
Lecompt said he was with his friend when the affair took
place. He did not consider he acted wrong. He denied
kicking the man.

Mr. Jardine said he preferred believing the version of
the affair given by Mrs. Partridge. Both prisoners were
drunk, and therefore incapable of stating correctly what
took place. That the potmau had received a violent
blow on the face was quite evident, and he therefore should
fine each of the prisoners £3 for the assault or in default a
month's imprisonment.
Emily Purkis was charged with pot stealing.

The police-constable, who took the prisoner into custody,
stated that early this morning he saw her near her lodgings
in Earl-street, Seven-dials, and from the appearance of her
dress ho thought she had something concealed. He asked
her what she had got, when she replied "nothing," and he
then perceived, as she was turning round, the rim of a
pewter pot. He pulled aside the shawl, and took the pot
produced from her. He had known her about the streets
for years.

Mr. Skeat, landlord of the Britannia public-house,
J ames-street, Covent-garden, said the pewter pot produced
was his property.

Mr. Jardine—l suppose you loose a great many pots—
do you not ?

Mr. Skeat—Yes, your worship. In the short space of
four months I have lost 300. I know the prisoner from
seeing her in my house ; and so strong have my suspicions
been that I would not have trusted her with a pot out of
my sight. I know none of my servants would, as they too
believed she was a pot-stealer.

The constable here produced two sugar crushers, similar
to those in general use amongst publicans, and said ho
found those at the prisoner's lodgings.
Mr. Jardine—As far as I can I am determined to stop
this species of plunder. I shall therefore send you to
prison for a month.