The Sun.
London, England, 1861-06-28 00:00:00

POLICE INTELLIGENCE—June 27.

CLERKENWELL.—MURDEROUS ASSAULT ON
THE POLICE—COMMITTAL FOR TRIAL. Thomas
Tracey, a powerfully-built young fellow, who is
described as "the terror of Golden-lane," and who
has been in custody more than a dozen times for
assaults on the police, was brought up on a warrant
by police-constable James Hughesman, 163 G, one of
the warrant officers of this court, charged with un-
lawfully assaulting police-constable Lapthorn, 70 G,
in the execution of his duty.
The prisoner was apprehended that morning, as he
was leaving the House of Correction, where he had
been confined on a charge of robbery. The assault
complained of took place as far back as the 24th of
March last. The prisoner was making a disturbance
in Golden-lane, and a large mob had assembled.
Police-constable Lapthorn, with the assistance of
Police-constable Thomas Knott, succeeded in clear-
ing away the mob, and when Lapthorn asked the
prisoner to go away he refused, struck him a violent
blow in the face and knocked him down. While
the constable was on the ground he was savagely
kicked, as was also the other constable. The result
of the kicks on Lapthorn was very serious, he being
dreadfully ruptured and on the sick list for two
months ; and in fact he is now unwell, and will be
ruptured for life. The prisoner at the time managed
to escape, but two men who took part in the affray
were apprehended and committed for trial, one of
them being sentenced to nine months and the other
to three months imprisonment, with hard labour.
The prisoner has been several times in custody for
assaults on the police and women, and also for
robbery.
The prisoner said he was not the man who as-
saulted the police, but he should reserve his defence.

Mr. D'Eincourt said it was a very bad assault
and committed the prisoner to the sessions for trial

MARYLEBONE.—A PREACHER IN lIIS CUM
—A man, who gave his name John Anderson, was
charged with begging, and also with being drunk at
the time.

The witness in the case was police-constable Stan
combe, 289 S.

Mr. Mansfield (to prisoner)—What have you to
say to this ?
Prisoner—l was not begging, your worship, as
the constable has stated. lam an educated and
strictly pious man, and when the constable inter-
fered with me, improperly as I consider, I was
merely addressing passers-by in a truly hristian
spirit, my object being that of doing all in my power
to bring sinners to repentance. I have laboured
hard to do so for many years.
The magistrate gave him to understand that a
drunken preacher of the Gospel was not likely to
have the effect of converting others from the error
of their ways, and considering that the charge of
begging had not been clearly made out, inflicted a
penalty of ss. for drunkenness, or in default seven
days imprisonment.

LAMBETH.—John Smith, a middle-aged man,
of respectable appearance, was charged before the
Hon. G. C. Norton with being found in the act of
working an illicit distillery.
Mr. F. Pergiter, an officer of Inland Revenue,
deposed that on that morning, about 9 o'clock, he
went, accompanied by the supervisor of the district,
to the house No. 1, Morton-place, Lambeth-road. He
effected an entrance by the back way. and on pro-
ceeding to the first floor they found the prisoner
there, and a still of about 30 gallons in full work,
and charged with molasses wash. There was also on
the same floor all the necessary utensils for carrying
on distillation, and from the scantiness of the fur-
niture, and there being no bed there, he (witness)
had no doubt it had been taken for the sole purpose
of carrying on a private distillery. Witness told
the prisoner on seeing him that he was an officer
of excise, and he must therefore consider himself
in custody on a charge of working a private still,
upon which he said he should make no resistance,
and that he was working the still for another
party, but should not say who that party was.
The Supervisor of the district corroborated the
testimony of the last witness, and said the house
in which the still was found was not entered cs a
place for distillation, and the prisoner Was
victed in a penalty of £3O or three months'
im-
prisonment.

SOUTHWARK.—THE DIAMOND RING AND
TILE CABDRIVER.—Thomas Ball, a cab proprietor
and driver, was brought up in custody of Sergeant
Gardner, 25 M, charged with the unlawful pos-
session of a valuable diamond ring, and attempting
to dispose of the same at Mr. Benson's, watch-
maker and jeweller, Ludgate-hill.
Sergeant Gardner said that he received informa-
tion that Mr. Wilson, the contractor and builder

of Suffolk-street, had lost a diamond ring, en
Friday last, in a cab, which he :traced to the
prisoner, whom he apprehended on Wednesday
morning. He should be able to show that he
offered it for sale at Mr. Benson's, the day after
it was lost, with the view of converting the proceeds
to his own use.

John Cousins, assistant to ..Nlr. Benson, jeweller,
&c., Ludgate-hill, said that the prisoner brought
a diamond, set in a circle of gold, so that it could
be used either as a pin or finger ring, which he
offered to sell for £lO. Witness at once saw that
it was very valuable, and he detained it, telling
him to call in the evening. After the prisoner
left he showed the diamond to Mr. Benson, who
desired him not to part with it until further in-
quiries were instituted. Since then Mr. Wilson
had seen the diamond, and identified it as his pro-
perty.

Mr. Burcham asked if Mr. Wilson was in at-
tendance.

Mr. Wilson's son informed his worship that his
father was not able to attend that day.
Mr. Bur3ham remanded the prisoner until Mon'
day, for the attendance of Mr. Wilson, sen., and
admitted him to bail.

COUNTRY MAREE7S.

BIRMINGHAM-JUNE 27.

At to-day's market there was a short supply of Eng-
lish wheat from the farmers, but no reduction submitted
to; and the sales made of ordinary foreign were again.
is to 2s lower. Barley and beans ls, peas 2s, and oats 6a
per qr lower.