Star.
London, England, 1808-05-30 00:00:00

TILE KING V. DEARSLEY.

Mr. GARROW moved the lodgment of the Court against the de-
fendant, who had been found guilty of a violent and unprovoked
assault on Sir Robert Peat, on the evening of the 11th of October
last, at Drury-lane Theatre.
It appeared that Sir Robert was coming out of the theatre about
eleven o'clock, and passiog through*the lobby, the defendant was
in a Ore-ii-stt with another lounger and a couple of liclles of the ton,
obstructing the passage, so as to make it impossible for Sir Robert
to get by; he civilly asked permi,sion to pass, when the defendant
asked him who he was? Sir Robert told him, that if he would
accompany him to the Bedford Coffee-house, he would give him
all the information wanted. Accordingly they went mit, when the
defendant sta tick and kicked him violently. In the watch-house I.e
boasted of his box-lobby exploits; and said he had had the plea-
s! re at kicki -g Sir Reberf frotnshashby to the watch-house, and
would kick him back again to the Bedford.
Mr. JARVIS and Mr. GONST spoke In mitigation ; they Ptated.
that the defendant was Very penitent for his miscondnee, and had
offered to make every apology to. Sir Robert, even a public one,
if necessary.
Affidavits were now read; stating applications made by the de-
fondant, through Dr. Glass and other friends, and afterwards by
letter to Sir Robert Peat, ofkring an apology, and also to pay his
costs.
On the part of the prosecutor an affidavit was produced, stating
that the defendant and his friend Mr. Best, commonly known by
the name of Long Best, had condected themselves in such a manner
as to make It impossible to put up with any private apology ; for
the day previous to the trial they had watched Sir Robert out of
Westminster Hall, when Best followed hint to Manchester-build-
ings, and called him a coward and a blackguard, for not fighting
the defendant.
Mr. (ARROW then appealed to the Court, with respect to such
indecent conduct at public places of resort, and said, if pugilists
were allowed to insult and knock down every peaceable man who
might resort to them, there would be an elect to places of amuse-
ment.
Mr. Justice Goose said the Defendant could not be punished
for Best's conduct, but it was highly necessary to make an ex-
ample of him to prevent disturbance in future at public places,
and therefore he adjudged him to be imprisoned in the King's
Bench for six months, at the expiration of that period to be bound
over to keep the peace for two years, himself in 200 L and two
sureties in 1001. each.
The ATTORNEY GENRRAL moved for a Rule to ACV, =SC
why a triminal information should not be filed against Rol-
linson, jun. an attorney, of Liverpool, for a libel on the Magis-
trates of that town ; couched in a letter written by him to Mr.
Clarke, the Deputy Recorder, stating, that justice could not be ex-
Meted from old Guinea Captains.
Lord Et LEN BO °vox observed, it was a blameable letter, but
hoped an apology would be made in the mean time, and granted
the Rule.
Mr. GA zELE E moved for a Rule to 'hew cause why an attach-
ment should not be issued against the Warden of the Fleet, for not
bringing up the body of Robert Dorset Neal, an attorney, who
bad escaped from prison.. The motion was allowed to stand over
tilt the Attorney General moved to bavesaid Neal struck off the
Rolls.