The Sun.
London, England, 1844-08-15 00:00:00

GUILDHALL.

A RIOT IN THE WEST LONDON UNION.—Five stout,
able-bodied young fellows, named Dench, Robinson,
Bowes, Longhorn, and Jackson, were placed this
morning, before Alderman John Johnion, on a
charge of having assaulted the board of guardians,
and Mr. Thomson, the master, and with endeavouring
to excite the other inmates to insubordination.

Wm. Thomson, the master of the West London
workhouse, stated, that while proceeding to inflict a
punishment upon Dench, by order of the board of
guardians, who were then sitting, he resisted so
violently, and called for the assistance of his brother
paupers, which was given so readily, that the board,
hearing the noise in the passage and yard, came out
and assisted him (the master), when they were vio-
lently attacked, and some of them thrown down and
kicked ; stones were also thrown at them by the boys,
and the women endeavoured to get out of their wards
to get down at them. The doors, however, were
locked, and they could only get into the galleries and
Upon the stairs.
Mr. Buckmaster, the chairman, said that hearing
the noise Dench made in resisting the board and him-
self, came out to render them assistance, when they
were set upon by the other prisoners.
Mr. Alderman JOHNSON—What was the offence
committed by Dench, and the punishment you had
ordered him ?—He had been behaving very impro-
perly during the time of service in the chapel, and he
was ordered by us, in consequence, to twenty-four
hours' imprisonment and a stoppige of his meat allow-
ance. There were several threats made of " doing
for me" particularly, and the state of insubordination
in the workhouse is such that the guardians are in
danger of their lives in entering.
Several members of the board gave similar evidence,
one of whom had been kicked very dangerously, evi-
dently with a felonious intent to do him serious
injury.
The prisoners were each ordered to find bail in 201.
to answer at the sessions, and failing such bail, to be
committed b prison.
CLERKEN WELL.

John Mahoney was charged with violently assault-
ing Mr. Thomas Costello and Mary, his wife, resid-
ing at 14, Cross-street, Hatton-garden.
Mrs. Costello, who is within a few days of her
accouchemen4 had several contusions on her face, and
her left eye was almost imperceptible from inflamma-
tion arising from the injuries. The husband likewise
bore evidence of severe maltreatment.

Between nine and ten o'clock on the previous night,
the complainants were walking down Hatton-garden
towards their own residence, when a little boy with a
jug of porter in his hand attempted to pass between
them. Mr. Costello pushed the boy away, but not
harshly, when the prisoner, who was standing by a
lamp-post, perfectly sober, ran over and hit Mr. Cos-
tello on the nose with his clenched fist. Mrs. Cos-
tello seeing the blood flowing from her husband, and
confiding in her sex and delicate situation, threw her-
self between him and the prisoner, but the man

struck her to the ground, and again attacked her hus-
band; she arose, and again attempted to interpose, but the
prisoner beat her so violently, that the blood flowed
from her mouth and left eye. A policeman fortu-
nately came up'and secured the prisoner, who attempted
to escape.
A shopkeeper, into whose house in Cross-street
Mrs. Costello was removed after the occurrence, de-

dared that he was terrified at her condition. She
was almost insensible, and covered with blood. _

The prisoner, who could not say a word in his de-
fence, was committed to the House of Correction for
fourteen days by Mr. Combe. He refused to pay
any fine.

UNION-HALL.
A FEMALE SAILOR.—Sarah Bignell, a female
about 17, was placed at the bar before Mr. Cotting-
ham, charged with stealing three half-crowns from her
father, a sub-sorter in the General Post-office.
The father stated that about fifteen months ago he
obtained her a situation as lady's-maid in a family in
Belgrave-square. While there she formed a connexion
with some man, who induced her to leave her situation
wsohnic,shinsihsetretsoso,kknthorweien
knowing
aslhf-e
about three months ago, when she returned home.
She refused to enter service again, but, until a month
ws
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and
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ago on the previous night, behaved at home with pro-
when she called in male attire to bid fare-
priety. In the middle of the night in question she
absconded, taking with her all her clothing, and break-
ingsaid that when
ack ,box, brother.f7r,oimlis
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custody.
half-
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she was appre-
hended had
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cut quite short. She said she was going to Italy in
a vessel about to sail that morning from the London
Docks.

The father stated that he believed the prisoner had
been seduced by some villain who wanted to entice
her to leave her friends and,country.
Mr. COTTINGHAM asked the prisoner what reason
she could assign for absconding from her situation
and her father's house, and assuming male attire ?
Prisoner replied, that she had been living with a mid-
shipman, with whom she was going to sea in his vessel.
Mr. COTTINGHAM asked her where she had been
for the last month ?—Prisoner answered, " I shan't
tell you."
The father said that that was all the information he
could get from her. She was extremely obstinate.
Prisoner stated that she was with the midshipman
on the previous evening in Ratcliffe-highway. She
refused, however, to state his name, or the name of
the vessel. She became acquainted with him when
she lived in Belgrave-square about fifteen months
ago. He induced her to leave her situation and her
father's roof.
Mr. COTTINGHAM told her that she was on the road
to ruin, if not ruined already. She hail better return
to her father's home, and break up her acquaintance
with the midshipman, who merely wanted to take her
to some foreign country, and leave her to want and
misery. He asked her m4iether she would return
home ?—She replied in the negative. She intended
to go with the midshipman.
Mr. COTTINGHAM said he should take care she did
not. He would remand her until Friday, and in the