Star.
London, England, 1818-11-27 00:00:00

THE KING ON THE PROSECUTION or LADY COLEBROOK

C. J. J. BOLTBV, JOSEPII PARISI!, AND OTHERS..

This was an indictinent tried at the Sittings after
last Term, in London. The defendants were charg-
ed with a violent assault on Lady Colebrook, the
Misses Colebrook, and a Miss Sutherland, by way-
laying their carriage in Hampstead-road, in Sep-1
tember, 1817. It appeared at the trial, that Lady i
Colebrook was driving by Haverstock Hill, when'
the defendants and Mrs. Taafe, the mother of the
Misses Colebrook, stopped the carriage. Parish, who
is a prize-fighter, attempted to'pull one of the young
Ladies out of the carriage by.her leg, and it was as
much as Lady Colebrook and Miss Sutherland could
do to retain her. After the Ladies had been alarmed,
Mrs. Taafe got into the carriab,,e, and Mr. Boltby
mounted thebox. They then drove to the Albany
Chambers, where Mrs. Taafe's Solicitor came, and
the parties separated. The defendants admitted they
were guilty, and a verdict was taken accordingly.
Mr. GtiRSEY moved the judgment of the Court
only on Mr. Boltby, and Parish, the prize fighter.
/le did not bring up Mrs. Tank.
Mr. Boltby put in his affidavit, stating that he was
a merchant in Duke-street, Adelphi. He represented
that he had been induced to offer violence to Lady
Colebrook, on the representation of Mrs. Taak that
her children were forcibly withheld front her, and
that they only wanted an opportunity to rush into
the arms of their parent. He went to Hampstead,
and found the defendant, Parish, who was procured
with others, to protect Mrs. Taafe against the inso-
lence of Lady Colebrook's servants. He found one
of the defendants had pistols, and insisted on looking
at them. They were not loaded. He then went in
a coach with Mrs Taafe and her party, and drew
across the road to prevent Lady Colebrook's carriage
from passing. When they opened ele doors he found
the young Ladies (lid not fly to their mother as he
had been instructed to expect, and in conseciaence of
that circumstance he endeavoured all he could to
protect Ludy Colebrook and the Ladies in the car-
riage. Mr. Boltby disclaimed any motive but that
of assisting a mother whom he considered desirous
of seeing her children.—Parish put in no affidavit.
Mr. DENMAN addressed the Court, and stated that
he was instructed by his client to offer a public apo-
logy, and to express Mr. Bohby's sorrow for the vio.
lei.t.e and disturbance of Lady Colebrook's family.
He observed at the same Male, that the defendants
ad expected the affidavits of the young Ladies, in
the carriage, as they might have thrown more light
on the behaviour of his clients.
Mr. Guawev, in behalf of the prosecution, said, he
was sure the Court would not disapprove of his not
putting in the affidavits of the young Ladies, as they
had been withheld from motives of delicacy alone.

The CHIEF Justicz said, he should 'have been
surprised if the affidavits of these Ladies had been
introduced.

'Mr. GURNEY then adverted to the affidavit of Mr.
Boltby, and observed, that it was extraordinary that
a merchant, with gentlemanly feelings, should be
found acting with a prize-fighter, in a matter of vio-
lence and outrage, which was a disgrace to the
country. The Court would not give vindictive pu-
nishment, but its sentence would operate as a pro-
tection to these Ladies in future.
Mr. NoLAN followed on the same side.

Judge BAILEY, after suitable animadversion on!
the act of the defendants, and the violation of de-
cency in the attack upon a Lady, 80 years of age,
with three young Ladies under 20, said the Court
was bound to award that punishment which would
at least deter others from similar acts. Mr. Boltby
said he had bean led away by the representations of

Mrs. Taafe, but it was at least his duty to inquire
into the true state of the family dispute before he
engaged in a breach of the peace.
The Court sentenced the defendants Boltby and
Parish to be imprisoned four months in the Marshal-
sea. Boltby was also ordered to pay a fine of £lOO,
and to find sureties to keep the peace for two years
himself in £5OO, and two others in £250 each.

CONSTABLCS.
A Gentleman came into Court, accompanied by a
Barrister, and put in affidavits, stating that he had
been High Constable for Hindon during two years,
and that the Borough refused to appoint. The Court
told him the country thanked him for his services ;
that they discharged him at once, and would take
the proper steps for the future.

KICAMINATION aY COMMISSIONERS OF BANKRUPTS.
A. Bogel, a foreigner,-was brought up by writ of
Habeas Corpus, from Newgate, whither he had been
committed by he Commissioners of Bankrupts, for
not answering a question as to where he had seen the
bankrupt's wife.
Mr. Scaitt.Err objected to the Commissioners war-
rant, on the ground that the question put by the
Commissioners was not authorized by the Statutes
relating to Bankrupts. The prisoner had not given
an unsatisfactory answer touching the estate, trade,
person, dealings, or effects of the Bankrupt ; and the
words of the Statute did not authorize a question on
any other subject. Where one of the questions on
the face of the warrant was illegal, the commitment
was illegal.—(Ex-parte James, 3 P. Wms.)
Mr. GURNEY, on the same side, argued, that the
warrant was illegal, because it expressed that the pri-
soner had not given a satisfactory answer to the
questions stated in it, instead of specifying the par-
ticular question
The COURT interrupted Mr. Gurney, by sayi.ig
that they wished to postpone the further di•cu—,ion
of a question of such importance till to-morrow.

VICE-CIIANCELLOR'S CCURT, NOVE.MDER v 6.