The Sun. — 1848-07-17 (London, England)

POLICE INTELLIGENCE. SOUTHWARK.  Margaret Courtnay, alias Black Meg, and Thomas and Mary White, the keepers of a low house in Essexstreet, Gravel-lane, Southwark, were placed at the bar before Mr. Seeker, charged with attempting to murder Thomas Fletcher and robbing him of fourteen shillings, under the following circumstances : The prosecutor, whose face was covered with bruises, said that on the night of the Ist inst. he saw the prisoner Courtnay in the Red House Tavern, at the corner of Ewer-street. Hearing her make some observations respecting Buckinghamshire, they got into conversation, and partook of some stout and gin together. A little before twelve o'clock he left the house, followed by Courtnay, who told him she was a married woman, and lived in Ewer•street, and that if he would accompany her home she would introduce him to her husband. Believing from ber statement that she was a respectable mechanic's wife, and that he might know something of her husband, he went with her, but as soon as they entered she ran out and in a few minutes returned with the male prisoner, who came up to him and in the most insolent manner demanded what business he had in his house, and before be could return an answer he was knocked down by him, and kicked most violently in the face. The other female then came out of au adjoining room, and assisted in illtreating him, and while on the ground the prisoner Courtnay took 14s. from his pocket and ran away. The other prisoner brutally kicked him, and exclaimed, "Let's murder the —," at the same time he was thrown with great violence into the middle of the street. His cries brought some persons to the spot, when he was taken to the hospital. He was certain that the prisoners were the persons who so brutally attacked him and robbed him.  Police-constable 44 M, said that on the night in question he was informed that a murder bad been committed in Ewer-street, and on hastening to the spot he found the complainant lying in the middle of the street in a pool of blood. He procured assistance, and had him conveyed to the hospital, after which he traced the blood to the house occupied by White, and on entering he found blood scattered about the floor, but he could not find anybody there, or gain any information respecting the parties who had committed the outrage, until the complainant recovered, when complainant called at the police-station, and gave the names of the prisoners. Witness had been on the look-out for them ever since, but they eluded pursuit until the previous day, when they were apprehended in their " old haunts."  In answer to the charge, the male prisoner said, that he knew nothing whatever of Courtnay, but the other female was his wife. On the night of the first of July, he returned home a little before twelve o'clock, and on opening the door was much surprised at seeing the prosecutor sitting on his bed. He demanded his business there, and requested him to leave, and on his refusing to do so he took hold of him and carried him into the street He denies using any further violence or any knowledge of the robbery. He had seen the prosecutor since then, when he told him that he would have acted in the same way had he been placed in his situation. He never intimated any intention of giving him in charge then. Complainant said it was true he had seen the man, but he had been advised not to give him into custody until he found Courtnay. The latter prisoner denied the robbery, but said no. thing about taking the complainant to White's house. Mr. SEcJER said that he had no doubt they would have murdered the man had they not so easily succeeded in robbing him of his money. It was quite clear they were all implicated in the affair, therefore he should feel it his duty to commit them all for trial at the ensuing summer assizes at Guildford.