The Sun.
London, England, 1844-08-26 00:00:00

WANDSWORTH.

Mr. Adam Leffler, the eminent vocalist, who resides
in Portland- place, Clapham-road, was brought before
Mr. Clive, charged with being drunk and riotous in
the Claphain-road, and also with assaulting a Mr.
Edward Symons.
Police-constable John May, 281 V, stated that on
that (Saturday) morning, about half-past two o'clock,
the defendant came home to his residence in Sydney-
terrace, Portland-place. In a few minutes after-
wards Mrs. Leffler ran out, pursued by the defendant.
Witness ran up to them, and Mrs. Leffler claimed his
protection, and wished her husband removed from her.
Witness took defendant back to his residence, and he
remained in doors some time. He afterwards came
out and went to a neighbour's house, where his wife
had taken shelter. He knocked at the door, and the
people in the house desired witness to take him
away, which he did, and again persuaded him to go
into his own house. Witness subsequently went round
his beat, and, in the interval, the defendant went to a
lady's house, broke open the front door, and had got
on the landing of the stairs, when witness was called
in. and he took defendant into custody. The de.
fendant had been drinking freely.
Mr. CLIVE—Did his wife make no charge ? Con-
stable--No, Sir; she only wished him to be kept
away.
A gentleman her stepped forward, and said that
Mrs. Leffler was in attendance, and wished to have
her husband bound over to keep the peace.
Mrs. Leffler, who was weeping, was then brought
forward and sworn. She stated that she had been

married to the defendant twelve years. She was
sorry to be compelled to take such a course, but it
was necessary for her safety that she should claim
protection from her husband's violence. That morn-
ing he had returned home between two and three
o'clock, after drinking freely, and took out a knife to
her. The first thing he did after entering the house
was to kick her sister and herself. When he took out
the knife, complainant ran out of the house, and de..
fendant struck her as she was leaving the house, and
said she should never enter it again. Defendant had
frequently taken a razor in the dead of the night, and
said he would murder her. He had put his hands to
her throat, and threatened to choke her.
Mr. CLIVE—What is your husband? Complain-
ant—He is a singer.
Mr. CLIVE—What have you to say in answer to
this charge? Defendant—l deny it in toto ; and, as
to having used any serious threats, she is labouring
under a great mistake ; and it is not true that I at-
tempted to make use of either a razor or a knife last
night. I was certainly very much excited. I left
home in the morning in an angry mood, and that
caused me to drink freely of brandy and water at
night. I regret, exceedingly regret, that this expo-
sure should have taken place ; but, as it has gone so
far, I may as well state the origin of this disagreeable
affair. I received a note from some young ladies re
questing me to get them orders for the theatre. My
wife chose to put an immoral construction on so in-
nocent an affair, and applied epithets to the ladies
that they were wholly undeserving of. Last night,
when she was out, I went after her, not to injure her,
but to bring her back. I sent my sister and my ser-
vant after her, but she would not return home. I
afterwards went to the house of Mr. Le Mercier, where
I knew she was concealed, but when I got into the
house I was given in charge. I ought to have been
at the theatre to-night to appear before the public,
but I suppose I shall have to relinquish my engagement.
Mr. CLIVE—Had the charge been merely that of
your running out of the house after your wife, I
should not have considered it of much moment; but,
accompanied as it is by acts of repeated violence to
your wife, I must take cognisance of it.
Complainant—l cannot put up with it any longer.
Even before his children his conduct is disgraceful.
Defendant—You must have a motherly feeling for
your children to bring me here and endeavour to
ruin me.

Mr. CLIVE—You must find two securities, in 201.
each, to answer for your good conduct towards your
wife for the next three months.

As the defendant was being removed from the dock,
Mr. Symons stepped forward, and said he had a
charge of assault to prefer against him. He felt him-
self bound to persevere in the charge, if it was only
to secure peace to the neighbourhood.

Mr. Nicholls, the second clerk, said the recog-
nisances the defendant had entered into were general,
and therefore he would have to be of good behaviour
to all persons..

Mr. Leffler—This gentleman, who now charges me
as a meddling fellow, interferes in my private
affairs, and had the impudence last night to take me
by the collar ; consequently I struck him.
Another gentleman now came forward, and said
Mr. Leffier had cut his sister-in-law's head open
during the quarrel that morning.
Mr. CLIVE—I have no charge of that nature entered
on the police-sheet, and the constable has not said a
word about it. Was he present? Constable—l was
not present, Sir;` and no complaint of the kind was
made to me. _

The gentleman said several persons saw the blood
stream down the lady's neck and shoulders.
Mr. Leffler—Neighbours, I suppose ; my friendly
neighbours.
Mr. ClavE—l shall not proceed with any other
charge now. The defendant has to find sureties to
keep the peace towards his wife, and, of course, all
other persons. Let this case be decided first, and
will persevere in making a
charge,
for a warrant or summons
then, if
theyany other
must
apply
yy
against the defendant. He will remain in custody
until he procures bail.
The defendant, not being provided with bail, was re-
moved in custody.
In the course of half an hour a person, who repre-
sented himself as the landlord of the houses in Sydney-
terrace, complained to the magistrate that several of
his tenants were giving him notice in consequence of
the disturbances Mr. Leffler created. The police
took no notice of what he did, but he thought it wm
their duty to do so.
Mr. CLIVE—The police must not enter private
houses because a man and his wife quarrel.
Mr. Symons here observed that the disturbances
took place in the street ; for instance, the one that
morning lasted two hours. The defendant had said
they were all cats and cowards, and that he would
settle his (Air. Symons's) account.
Mr. CuvE—l have already raid the defendant is
held to bail, and now, if you wish to further punish
him, you must exhibit articles of the peace against
him at the sessions. With respect to the police, I
want to point out this fact to you • the police ought
to be extremely cautious in interfering in domestic
disputes. Ido not say they should permit a breach
of the peace to take place without interfering, and
you know you have your remedy against them for
misconduct..
After some further conversation the parties left the
court.