The Sun.
London, England, 1866-02-09 00:00:00

MARLBOROITGH-STREET.

OUTRAGEOUS SCENE AT THE HAM YARD SOUP KITCHEN.
—Robert Smith and Henry Weston, two rough-looking
fellows, were charged before Mr. Knox, Smith with as-
saulting a poor man named Richard Denyer, and Police-
constable Poole, 305 A, and Weston with assaulting
Poole, 305 A, and Gower, 115 C, and also with attempting
to rescue Smith from the custody of the police.
Richard Denyer said—Yesterday I had a ticket given to
me by a gentleman in St. James's-street to go to the Ham-
yard soup kitchen. I went to the yard, and Smith came
down there drunk. A gentleman asked him to go away,
but he would nct. Smith wanted to buy soup tickets, and
because I would not sell mine he seized hold of my hair,
struck me several times, and knocked me down. While I
was afterwards holding out my ticket to the person ap-
pointed to take them, Smith snatched it out of my
hand, and on my turning round to look after him he
struck me again, and several persons set on me. A. con-
stable then came and Smith was given in charge by the
person at the kitchen.
Lawrence Poole, .305 A, said—About half-past three
yesterday afternoon I went to Ham-yard and saw the
complainant bleeding from the nose and mouth. He said
he had been assaulted by a man. 1 went down the yard
and Smith was pointed out as the person who had commit-
ted the assault, and he was given in charge. On taking
Smith into custody, he said, "I tivill well rough it"
(fight it out), and then threw himself on his back and set
to kicking with all his might and trying to bite. Two or
three other constables came to my assistance, and we were
then hemmed in by a large crowd of the worst persons in
London. At last we got him away, but we had all our
work to do to keep the crowd off. I was thrown twice
and tripped up three times by Weston. On the way to the
station stones were thrown at the police, and Weston in-
cited the crowd to attack the police, and when we suc-
ceeded in getting Smith to the station, Weston was then
taken in. My ribs are very sore by Smith's kicking me
while he was on the ground.
Mr. Knox—lt seems a scandalous thing to occur at a
place intended for the relief of poor persons.
luspeotor Bowles—The persons assembling at that place
are generally very quiet.
Reuben Blazier, 158 o—l saw Weston kick Poole seve-
ral times, and Weston ale() incited the crowd to attack the
police by calling out "Rescue—Don't let the take
him" (meaning Smith).

Gower 115 C—l went to the assistance of the other con-
stables, and received two blows on the back of the head
from Weston, who had a stick in his hand. I was knocked
down. Weston called out several times, " Give it to the
—."

W. Cane, 33 C—l assisted the other constable, and we
had to carry Smith a great portion of the way to the sta-
tion, Weston all the way inciting a large crowd to rescue
Smith. Smith was in the habit of going two or three
times a week drunk to the Soup Kitchen, and I have had
several times to quiet him. I have known him for years
as a very troublesome and rough follow.
Mr. Knox—l shall send the case to the sessions. The
police must be protected.
Smith—l have a wife and family.
Weston—l never bad a stick in my hand. That is all I
have to say.
- - -

The depositions having been completed, the prisoners
were committed for trial, Mr. Knox requesting Inspector
Bowles to see that Denyer (who has no house) was looked
after in the workhouse till the trial.