The Sun.
London, England, 1844-11-28 00:00:00

CLERKENWELL.

THE Tunr TRIUMPHANT.-.-Mr. John Stevens,
ho described himself as a retired tradesman, residing
at Old Manor-street, Chelsea, was charged with vio-
lently assaulting Mr. Thomas Banting, a dairyman,
living in John-street, Bedford-row.
The complainant, who had his left arm in a sling,
and is blind of one eye, deposed that on the evening
of the 21st he had a few friends spending the 4rening
with him. At a quarter-past eight o'clock the de-
fendant came into the shop, and, in a very peremptory
manner, demanded his money.
Mr. Couna inquired if he owed Mr. Stevens any-
thing ? Complainant said he had lost 151. in betting
with him on races, 13/. on Foig'a-ballagh, in the St.
Leger, and 2/. on other stakes. He went on to say
that he told the defendant be had not got the money,
who thereupon called him a swindler, and applied
other language to him too vile and disgusting to be
mentioned in the presence of witness's wife and
friends. Witness still persisted in saying he had not
the money. The defendant exclaimed, " I Will
knock your other eye out." Witness told hini he
must leave the house, whereupon, raising a large
stick, he aimed a violent blow at his head. Witness
put up his arm to ward it off, and received the blow
on it. The blow caused a swelling as large as a half-
pint pot on the elbow, and he had not since then had
the use of the limb. The defendant swore he would
" serve him out," and "do for him." Wifuess's
friends interfered, and the defendant went away using
bad language.
The defendant denied the assault, and said i was
rheumatic gout affected the. complainant's arm. His
money had been due since the St. Leger race. The
complainant had nearly choked him.
Mr. Goodwin, one of. Mr. Banting's guests on the
occasion, confirmed the complainant's testimony in
every respect. He also added that in consequence of
the defendant's violence a mob of 150 people had ga-
thered round the house, and that he threatened "to
do" for the complainant, if not now at sumo other
time.

Mr. CoMBE (to the complainant)—Why don't. you
pay Mr. Stevens the 151.'? Complainant—l was un-
able to do so, Sir—other parties had not paid me.
Mr. COMBE—Nonsense, how is he to know wliether
they have or not ? You had better pay him the 151.
You are a long time in his debt.
The complainant repeated his inability to do so.
Mr. Costae—lf you are an honest man you will
pay him.
The complainant's wife here stepped forward, and,
in a tone of indignation, said the defendant was, con-
tinually coming to her husband's house, requesting of
him to bet on various horses, which he said would
certainly win. He had in consequences made two
bets with the defendant, which he lost. The defen-
dant was himself indebted in various sums for bets
made in their, neighbourhood.
Mr. COMBE (to the complainant)—The defendant
asks for a bill. Why dmi't you give him your bill
for the 151., which you acknowledge you owe? The
complainant said that after having received such
treatment, he should be less inclined to do so than
ever.

Mr. CoMBB—If you pay him the 151., I'll fine him
for the assault.

The complainant said he had been brutally created,
and declined the offer.

The defendant, who admitted that he was " a
betting man," was merely bound over in his own
recognisance to answer any charge at the sessions.
Two men named Bryant, and one named Lynch, were
charged with lighting a fire in an uninhabited house, the
property of the Globe Insurance-office. Lynch was
further charged with violently assaulting police-constable
Moss, G 195, and police-sergeant G 3.
It appeared from the evidence tbat about ten weeks
ago an extensive warehouse, was burned down in Back-
hill, Clerkenwell. It was insured in the Globe Insurance-
office, and is now in process of re-erection by that, esta-
blishment. Last night, Moss being on duty in Back-
hill, saw a fire on the first floor of the warehouse, and
on climbing up to the first floor, saw a large fire in the
room immediately over one of the large wooden beams,
and all the chips and shavings in the neighbourhood of
it. The inhabitants of the adjoining houses were startled
out of sleep by the flames and smoke. Moss sprung his
rattle, obtained assistance, and extinguished the fire.
There was neither grate nor hearthstone in the room,
and there can be no doubt but for the timely arrival
of the constable, the whole premises would have been
consumed. The men were under the influence of liquor,
and Lynch kicked the constables s 6 violently that Moss '
was almost disabled, and sergeant G 3 much hurt. Lynch
could not be removed to the station-house until hill arms
and legs were fettered.
The two Bryttuts were in.default of fine sentenco to
ten days' imprisonment, and Lynch to three weeks
r/A /ON- L

George Seymour, u fine tall young fellow, was chsrged
on his own confosio3, with beitr;• N destlier from the
49th Itegilnoit

A Nue:en:jam stlipd that the pris,-i7.0-r allird
station-hot:4o the prepeding night, c„iid 44) ing was
deserter from the above reglinent, kidded triat lie cenie
therc to giTo himself jut° custody.