Star.
London, England, 1826-10-13 00:00:00

THAMES POLICE.

Samuel Banks was charged with committing an outrageoUs assault
upon Miss Duffield, a highly respectable maiden Lady, alietit 45
years of age, the joint proprietress of a seminary for young Ladies, iu
the Commercial Road.

Miss Duffield stated that she had known the prisoner for many
years, every since his earliest boyhood. They are both front the
village of Massingbam, in Norfolk, and the closest habits of intimacy
subsists between their families. She 'and Miss Spencer keep a
ladies' school in the Commercial-road, and have done so for sever .1
years past. The prisoner, about ten days ago, arrived from fifths,
and called upon them. He asked her could they accommodate
him with an apartment ? They agreed to do so. She raid that on
Tuesday night, about ten o'clock, the prisoner returned house, and,
after taking supper, he inquired where was bli.a Spencer? She
replied that she was gone to spend the day at a friend's, and would
not return that night. She then observed to the prisoner that
it was time to retire; to which he assented, and she took the
candle, for the purpose of lighting hint up stairs, as she had
been in the habit of doing; and being apprehensive of fine, she
always pliced the candle upon the mantelpiece in the tOOlll. Having
dune so, on her wishing prisoner good night, he seized Ittr. She
became alarmed, and asked him what he meant? lie ni ide her no
answer. When she saw what his object was, she begged, 'he en-
treated, she made every appeal which humanity or reason cou!J
suggest, but all in vain. She then screamed nut. He endeavoured
to cover her bead, and swore he would smother her. He then tore
a silk handkerchief which she wore round her neck, and forced it
into her mouth, which had nearly choked her. She escaped from
him, left the house, and went to her friends.

Mr. BALLANTI3II said he was well aiirrre how repugnant it must
be to a person of her education to state further facts than what she
had already done, but she must be more particular in the detail.—
(He then ordered every person out of the office.)
Miss Duffield, in the greatest distress of mind, and bursting into
an agony of tears, was unable to proceed, except to say that site had
been treated infamously.
Mr. BALLAIITINIC inquired whether there were no persons in the
house who might have heard her cries?

Miss Duffield replied, that the kitchen was so remote, that it was
impossible to hear her, as she was nearly smothered, and she believed
the servants were out ; there were three children in bed above staic,.
Mr.BALLANTINIC asked the prisoner what he could say for bituse it 1
The prisoner said, upon his honour he was sorry, very sorry indeed,
for what had occurred; he must have been intoxicated.
Mr. Bau.arrruts—Take the fellow out; I shall bold him to bail
for the ruffianly assault, himself in 1,000/. and two sureties in SCOT.
each. Miss Duffield I'll bind over in 3001. to prosecute, and Miss
Spencer in 501. to give evidence.

The prisoner was locked up until he could procure bail.
LAMBETH-STREET.

Alex. Smith was charged with bigamy. His second wife was a
Miss Glasscott, whom be met at a Chapel in Lambeth-walk, where
his devout appearance attracted the Lady's attention. The certifi-
cate of the first marriage was produced by Miss Glasscott's father.—
Smith was at that time a Paymaster Sergeant In the 81st Foot.--
He is said to have contracted a third marriage in Scotland.
He was remanded.