The Sun.
London, England, 1866-09-25 00:00:00

BOW-STREET.

DARING RoI3RERY. —John Brown was placed before Mr.
Flowers, charged with the following daring robbery.
Eliza Wickelgren, the wife of a cabinet-maker, said last
evening about five o'clock she was passing near Angel-
court, carrying her purse in her hand. The prisoner came
up, made a snatch at it, but not succeeding in obtaining
possession of it, ho laid hold of her, threw her to the
ground and commenced beating her hand until she was
compelled to open it, when the prisoner seized the purse
and ran away with it. She got up and pursued him down
the court and across the Strand,when she observed him run
through the gates of Somerset House, and then, meeting with
a constable, she told him of the robbery, and ho went
in pursuit of the prisoner. She was certain he was the
person who robbed her, as she never lost sight of him until
she saw him run into Somerset House.

Prisoner—You say in your evidence that I throw you
down. Now, when I snatched at your purse did you not
cling to me and fall down ?
11r.Flowers—It will be important to the prisoner for you
to answer that question, as it will make a material differ-
ence in the offence : whether or no it was a highway rob-
bery with violence.
Prosecutrix —I think he put out his foot and thus caused
me to fall to the ground, but I will not be certain. I can-
not say positively how it was I fell to the ground. I only
clearly recollect being there and the prisoner beating my
hand.

➢ir. Flowers—lt was quite daylight when the robbery
occurred. You are quite sure the prisoner is the man that
robbed you ?

Prosecutrix—Oh, yes. I had a good opportunity o
seeing his face.

Police-constable 144 said he was on duty at Somerset-
House when the prosecutrix informed him of the robbery,
and told him the thief had run through the gates. He
went in pursuit of him, and meeting with another con-
stable he told him of the circumstance, and shortly after
the prisoner was taken. At the station-house £1 Bs. 6d.
was found on the prisoner—the exact sum prosecutrix had
been robbed of. Witness afterwards looked for the purse,
and found it on the Thames embankment, very near the
spot where the prisoner was secured. It contained a small
Swedish coin, which the prosecutrix at once identified as
her property.
Police-constable 108 F said he was also on duty at So
merset House, and, observing the prisoner run down one
of the slopes to which there was no, thoroughfare, he men-
tioned the matter to police-constable 144, when he was
taken into custody.
Mr. Flowers asked whether the prisoner was known ?
Sergeant Ackrell said he knew the prisoner to be an old
thief. He had been several times iu custody, and had been
convicted of felony, when he was sentenced to four years
penal servitude at the Middlesex Sessions. He had done
nothing else but thieving since he had served his sentence.
Prisoner—That's wrong. I don't deny the previous
conviction ; but I wasn't, as be says, four years, it was
only three.
Mr. Flowers—Well, that can be clearly proved on an-
other occasion. Have you anything to say why I should
not commit you for trial ?
Prisoner—No ; I've nothing to say.
Committed for trial accordingly. •

Abraham Sidelman, a Frenchman, and Robert Hopewell,
were placed at the bar, charged with assaulting the police.
Constable Leary, 104 F, said ho was on duty in Holborn
last night, when a disturbance arose against some women.
He went up, and whilst doing so Sidelman struck him ;
as ho was taking him to the station-house the prisoner
Hopewell also struck him.
Sidelman said the constable's statement was untrue.
He did not strike him—he only interfered when he saw
the policeman strike one of the girls, and told him that
he would not have done such a thing with impunity had
he been in France.

Hopewell said he did not strike the policeman. He was
altogether mistaken with respect to him.
The constable denied striking or even pushing either of
the women.

Mr. Flowers thought it important that the girl who it
was alleged was struck should be in attendance.

Sidelman said the girl was a poor-looking person, and
was probably afraid to attend.

Mr. Flowers said however poor and shabby she might be
she would get the same justice as the richest lady in the
land. He should adjourn the case, admitting Sidelman to
his own bail. Hopewell, who clearly had no right to in-
terfere, ho should fine 2s. 6d.