The Statesman.
London, England, 1823-11-22 00:00:00

COURT OF KING'S BENCH.—(Tats MORNING.)

TES GAWESTIRS IN THE KING'S BENCH PRISON.
The following persons of respectable appearance Were
owed on the floor of the Conr, and desired to attend the
Officer's reading of the affidavit against them. Their
asses, except three, which we did not catch, were Corbett,
Atkiren, Esendier, Jacobs, Godfrey, Stevens, and Ben.
&tam.
The affidavit of Mr. Jones the Marshal of the prison
sad two of the turnkeys was then read, stating that, in
consegnence of information of what was going on, they
weat a few evenings since up the staircase of No. Mend in
the rosm No. 9, occupied by the prisoner Stevens, a num•
her of persons were assembled round a table, on which were
several parcels of money, dice and dice Boxes,
with which the company was engaged at play.
Immediately on the appearance of the Marshal, a general
scramble took place, and every thing was put out of sight
as quickly as possible. After witnessing these proceedings
the Marshal took the names of all present.
The Common SERGEANT said he appeared for six of the
defendants who had drawn up an affidavit to submit to
the Court, bat on further consideration, they • bad deter.
mined to throw themselves on its merciful consideration,
on account of this being their first offence.
Mr. ANDREWS appeared fur Godfrey and Kingston, and
flee Caurre for Stevens and Benshaw, who also expressed
their contrition.
enter JusTren ABBOTT said, that this being the first
time, far a long period, that a case of this kind had come
before the Court, it was not disposed to treat the offenders
with great severity. It ordered that Stevens, being
dVerently situated trotn the rest, should he ronfined, alone,
is the strong room, for one month. Godsall, who was now
sat of custody, should enter into his own recognizances,
to be of good behaviour, in 401. for six months, and the
rest should not be allowed the benefit of the rules of the
prison.

CRIMINAL INFORMATION.
(
COURT OF KrNG'S BENCIL—DuntiN,Ocr. IS.

TUB SIMI AT TIIE PROSECUTION OF HENRY OMIT O'REIRN'

AGAINST THOMAS GEORGE FRENCH AND WILLIAM 3iIEA.

In this case a conditional order for a criminal informa-
tion isms made absolute against the defendants in the last
Term, and upon a suggestion from the Court, with which
Mr. O'Connell, on the part of the prosecutor, acquiesced,
it was understood that such an arrangement would be
made, as to preclude the necessity of further proceedings.
The parties, however, not being able to agree as to the
terms of an apology, the defendants selfered judgment to
go by default, and appeared to receive sentence.
The defendants severally put in affidavits in mitigation
of punishment, which were supported by the :•:.tlicitor
General and Mr. Pennefather ; and the prosecutor replied
by an afliifavit in aggravation, and was heard through his
Counsel, Mr. Serj. tioold and Mr. O'Connell.
The parties in this case ate residents of the county of
Cork. The circumstances which led to the present proceed•
ing were as follows:—Early in the present year the prosecu-
tor's house was attacked by robbers, and through ►he
exertions of Mr. French, the defendant, is ho is a Magistrate
for the county, several of the offenders were apprehended.
Subsequent to this, the prosecutor received information
that some of Mr. French's tenants of the name of lirien,
were concerned in the robbery, upon which he went to
Cove, expecting to meet Mr. Fr•snch, but not meeting with
him, ha applied to his brother, Mr. Savage French, also a
Magistrate, for a warrant for the apprehension of the
Briers. The defendant, Mr. French. conceived that this
was au imputation upon him, that where lie had to admi-
nister justice in a case where his own tenants wereconcern-
td, be would act as a partial ilagistra►e.—Under this im-
pression, he repaired to the house of the prosecutorsat the
Isar of twelve o'clock at night, armed with a brace of
pistols, confined by a black belt,antl demanded of him to go
then and execute the warrant. On the prosecutor declining
to do so, the. defendant called him " a ruffian, and scone,.
&el," and struck him with his hat, which the prosecutor
returned by a blow with his tilt, and finally made his
servant put the defendant out of ►he house.
On the following morning, the other defendant, Mr.
Shea, waited on the prosecutor with a message from
Mr. French.
On Wednesda7, 19th inst Judge JERI' pronounced the
sentence of the Court,which was, that Mr. Thomas tieorge
French should pay a ti"e to the King of one linndred
pomade, and be imprisoned in the County of Cork for
twelve months; and that Mr. William Shea should pay
a fine to the King of ten ponnds, and be imprisoned
the County of Cork one month.