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

THAMES.

EXTRAORDINARY CASE OF ATTEMPTED EXTORTION.
—John AU orriv, 37, a labourer, of 21, Little James-
street, Poplar, was charged with assaulting Mr.. 'harles
Brown, a pastrycook, of 9, Litnehou.4e-causeway, and
by threats endravouriug to extort money from him in
the Ferry-road, Poplar. The facts were very curious.
Mr. Brown stated that on the previous evening, be-
tween the hours of five and six, he lett home in com-
pany with a boy in his employ, to deliver some goods at
Deptford. On the way home, after delivering the goods,
they passed through the Ferry-road, a very dismal
place, about a mile and a half distance from prosecutor's
residence. This was about eleven o'clock. The pri-
soner came up 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 me five
shillings, or 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 had nothing
ready for us.

M. YARDLEY-It is possible that this charge may
assume a very serious aspect. I cannot say whether or
not that will be the case, but I would 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, and told witness to go ahead. He,
however, did not reltkit the idea of having his brains
blown out, so ho stopped with his master, and the priso-
ner said be would blow his master's brains out if he did
nut 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. Oa the way to the station he escaped from
the constable and ran away, but he W 42 afterwards re-
captured. iie was rather the worse for liquor.
Prisoner—l know nothing at all about it.
Mr. YAItDLEY—I do not know whether I ought not to
c unmit 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 my mind is, whether or not I
shall commit you to Newgate.
Prisoner—l have a wile and three children.
Mr. YARDLEY—You had 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 eha.ging this man with an infamous crime. I
am glad that it has not turned out to be so. But it is
very serious es it is; and I have sowo 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,