The Sun.
London, England, 1844-11-04 00:00:00

UNION-BALL.

Two policemen named Gough and Brooks, of the
L division, were charged with the following miscon-
duct towards Thomas Thornton, an inspector belong-
ing to the Phoenix Gas Works. The charge was
sent by the Commissioners of Police for investigation
at this Court, and Mr. Grensell, the superintendent of
the division to which the defendants belong, attended
to hear and report upon the result.
The complainant stated that on Saturday week,
about one o'clock in the day, as he was crossing from
the end of Suffolk-street to Blackman-street, he was
followed closely up by the defendants, and when he
got to the other side of the street they both came up,
one on each side of him, and asked him what he had got.
Before he had time to answer, they hurried him through
an iron gate near the footpath, when Gough, feeling
his trousers pocket, inquired what he had got there.
Complainant, surprised at such a situation, imme-
diately drew forth a memorandum book, saying that
he had nothing but that, upon which the defendants
said he must accompany them to the station- house,
Brooks saying to the other defendant, " Charley, let
us take him to Tower-street," and he was then taken
to the station-house in that street, and when the In-
spector Fergusson saw him, and was informed of the
circumstances under which he was brought there, he
said that he had known him (complainant) for several
years, and that there being no pretence for charging
him with an offence, he should discharge him. Com-
plainant added that he had been twenty years in the ser-
vice of the Phoenix Gas Works, and that having always
borne an irreproachable character, he, for his own
sake as well as the public, considered he was called
upon to bring such a case under the consideration of
the Commissioners, to whom he represented the cir-
cumstances.

Gough upon being asked what he had to say in
answer to the charge, replied, that he mistook the
complainant for another person, against whom he had
a charge of felony. He admitted that he felt his
pocket, as described, and that he afterwards took him
to the station-house, where, upon finding that he had
made a mistake, he expressed his readiness to apolo-
gise to the complainant, who rejected it, and would
not be satisfied unless he consented to insert an apo-
logy in the newspapers. With this latter demand he
could not comply, the:Commissioners not allowing
him to make a public apology, and the complainant,
therefore, resorted to the present proceedings against
him. Gough then spoke of his not having used any
degree of harshness towards the complainant, and in
taking him to the station-house held his umbrella over
him to shelter him from the rain.

Brooks made a similar defence, saying they were
mistaken in the man, but that he did not lay hands
upon the complainant at all, and who also expressed
his willingness to apologies to the complainant.
In reply to Mr. Trail!, the complainant said that he
knew Mr. Brooks before, and mentioned to him who
he was, but no attention was paid to what he said,
and he was complied to go to the station-house. He
added that it was a deirradation to be taken through
the streets in custody without the slightest grounds
for charging him with any offence.
Mr. TRAILL said it was obvious the defendants had
made a mistake in the business; and that, under
that impression, he should dismiss the complaint; but
it was still in the power of the complainant to bring
an action for assault and false imprisonment, at all
events against Gough, if he was not satisfied, or re-
ceived compensation for the inconvenience to which
he had been subjected on the occasion.
The complainant seemed to be surprised at the de-
cision, and left the court with two friends.