The Sun. — 1863-09-08 (London, England)

WESTMINSTER.  THE TOURNAMENT TRUMPETER AT CREMORNE. EXTRAORDINARY STORY.— James Naggs and George Easton, two rough-looking fellows, were placed at the bar charged with stealing some money and a watch upon the highway, assisted by a number of others, and with great personal violence. The prosecutor, who gave his name James Robert Vokey, and described himself as a professor of gymnastics, said— Last night, at a quarter past ten, I met these men and five others rear Cremorne Gardens, and they robbed me. lam the trumpeter of the tournament at Cremorne, and these men took me to be intoxicated. Mr. Arnold—Why should they take you to be intoxicated ? Prosecutor--I mean they imagined I was. Mr. Arnold—You imagine that they imagined something. Prosecutor—My usual bus'ness is a commercial traveller as well as being a professor of gymnastics and trumpeter of the tournament, but when I am going to my latter employment I accustom myself to shake my whip, and that is no reason why I should be robbed ; do you think it is ? Mr. Arnold—Dear me, no ; there is nobody suggesting such a thing. Prosecutor—When I ride my mare in the tournament I flourish my whip. Mr. Arnold—Never mind that; tell me what these men did. Prosecutor—They lifted me up by the legs and robbed me. But I believe the nearest (Naggs) to be a very honest young man led away. Mr. Arnold—What next ? Prosecutor-1 said to them, "Gentlemen, what do you require?" and they quietly replied, " We want your watch and chain.', I said, "Do you intend to rob me ?'' When this one nearest said, "Throw the old --- into the river;" and I said, " Oh, no ; give me a chance for my life. I will take either of you singly." See how they have cut me and bruised my head with their violence. They seized by my throat. I had a steel collar on, and now look at my neck. I said I will tackle three of you, although lam 53 years of age. Mr. Arnold—What did you lose P Prosecutor—They robbed me of 19s , and when they Put me clown I let them all go away, and shortly after I again saw Naggs, who asked me if I had lost my watch, and I then found that I had. Mr. Arnold--Now, tell me what Naggs did. Prosecutor—He caught me by the throat. They garrotted me and used a great deal of violence. Mr. Arnold—What did Easton do ? Prosecutor—He held me by the legs. They left my chain, it is worth 10 guineas. You may have it tested, if you like. Easton kicked me, and they intended to murder me. I have no right to be murdered, although I am trumpeter at the tournament at Cremorne. Mr. Arnold—Nobody suggested such a thing. Prosecutor hers rambled into so much incoherent matter that he was desired to stand down, every endeavour to obtain a succinct account of the transaction being unavailing. Inspector Tarlton said that the prosecutor gave a totally different version of the matter last night. M'Kenzie, 257 A, proved that he never said a word against the second prisoner until he followed him to the station.  Prosecutor here interrupted the proceedings, and was turntd out of court. Evidence was then given to show that he was intoxicated, and had charged other parties with the robbery. Mr. Arnold said it would be an injustice to detain the prisoners upon the prosecutor's unsupported evidence. Prisoners were discharged.