The Sun.
London, England, 1850-11-28 00:00:00

T.:IIAMES.

EXTRAORDINARY CASE OF ATTEMPTED EXTORTION.
—John Alorris, 37, a labourer, of 21, Little James-
street, Poplar, was charged with assaulting Mr. Charles
Brown, a pistrycook, of 9, Limehouso-causeway, and
by threats endeavouring to extort money from him in
the Ferry-road, Poplar. The facts were very curious.
Mr. Brown stated that en the previous evening, be-
tween the hours of five and six, he left home in com-
pany with a boy in his employ, to deliver some goods at
Deptford. O❑ the way home, alter delivering the goods,
they pfnsed through the Ferry-road, a very dismal
place, about a mile and a half distance from prosecutor's
residence. This was about eleve❑ o'clock. The pri-
soner came op with them and said " Give me a shilling
to buy tobacco." Witness refused to do so. He again
stopped them shortly afterwards, and said " Give motive
shangs, or I'll blow your brains out."
Mr. YARDLEY to the prisoner—Do you wish to ask
the witness any questions? Prisoner—l work for Mr.
Robinson, of Mill-wall. I went to work yesterday, and
the master told seven or eight of us that he bad nothing
ready for us

Mr. YARDLEY-It is possible that this charge may
assume o very serious aspect. I cannot say whether or
nut that will be the case, but I rrould advise you to
confine yourself to askingiquestions at present, as it may
assume such an aspect, and I may have to commit you
for trial.

William Hunt stated that he had been in Mr. Brown's
employ three weeks. On the way home from Deptford
on the previous night the prisoner came up and asked
them the way to the Grundy Arms. Witness told him.
The prisoner then said there were people lying along
the side of the hedge to shoot people. He said this to
try to frighten them, ard told witness to go ahead. He,
however, did not relish the idea of having his brains
blown out, so he stopped with his master, and the priso-
ner said he would blow his master's brains out if he did
not deliver up ss. He then kept following them, and
eventually struck Mr. Brown. He then called out " Po-
lice," and said Mr. Brown had smuggled goods. Wit-
ness fetched Lockhart, 177 K, who took the man into
custody. 0a the way to the station he escaped from
the constable and ran away, but he was afterwards re-
captured. Ile was rather the worse for liquor.
Prisoner—l 'mom nothing at all about it.
Mr. YARDLEY—I do nut know whether I ought not to
commit you to trial for this very serious offence.
Prisoner—l hope you will forgive me.
Mr. YARDLEY —No, indeed, I will not. The only
thing lam weighing in ray mind is, whether or not I
shall commit you to Newgate.
Prisoner—l have a wife and three children.
Mr. YARDLEY—You bad been drinking; and it is just
possible you did not intend to rob this man; but your
conduct was abominable. I suspected before I heard all
the evidence that you had been guilty of the grave of-
fence of charging this man with an infamous crime. I
am glad that it has not turned out to be so. But it is
very serious as it is; and 1 have some doubt whether I
am right in dealing summarily with you. The best way
I can deal with you is to order you to pay 51. or be im-
prisoned for two months.
Locked up in default.