The Sun. — 1864-12-24 (London, England)

MIDLAND CIRCUIT.—LEEDS, Dcc. 23. (Before Mr Justice Keating.) His lordship sentenced James Thompson, who was tried yesterday for stabbing his wife, to penal servitude for life; and the prisoner Ackroyd, who was found guilty of various offences under the bankruptcy laws, to one year's imprisonment.  Thos. Drake was indicted for feloniously attempting to drown Elizabeth Wilson, with intent to murder her, at Halifax, on Dec. 6 last.  Mr Thornbei conducted the prosecution; Mr Wheelhouse defended the prisoner.  It appeared from the evidence that the prosecutrix and prisoner are only 17 years old, and that they had been living together for come weeks; but the prosecutrix had left the prisoner about a month before the unhappy occurrence took place. The prosecutrix then lived in a furnished room and used to go to work every day in Halifax. On the 6th December she arrived too late at her work, and had to return home again. As the was returning she met the prisoner by the canal. He accompanied her;towards her home. When they had got under the canal bridge.he caught hold of her with one hand and put his other hand over her eyes and pushed her into the water. She went under the water three or four times, while the prisoner stood looking on without offering her any assistance, and then walked away. John Furness, a man who happened to be passing, bravely jumped into the water, and saved the prosecutrix at great peril to his life. The prosecutrix was then laid on the grass, and while the people on the spot were attending to her the prisoner threw himself into the water and attempted to drown himself.  Mr Wheelhouse contended, on behalf of the prisoner, that he was not in his right mind at the time, and called several witnesses to prove the fact. His Lordship, in summing up, said that the witness Furness had conducted himself in a most gallant and humane manner, which reflected the greatest credit on him, and he regretted that he was unable to grant him a public reward. The learned judge then said that it was fcr the jury to consider if the prisoner at the time was in a state of mind to form any intention at all, for it appeared that the prisoner at the bar, from an accident he had three or four years ago, was subject to fits, and that he never was himself for some days after, and that he had a fit the night before; but still the jury must look at his conduct at the time to arrive at a right conclusion as to his state of mind.  The jury found the prisoner guilty, and told his lordship that they had made a subscription for the witness Furness to show their appreciation of his services.  His Lordship said they had better give the money to the officer of the Court, as probably there might be other persons in court who might be desirous cf adding to it. (His lordship himself added a handsome donation.) His lordship said that under the circumstances he should only sentence the prisoner to 15 years' penal servitude. George Wrighlson, Thomas Bourne, George Walker, and Isaac Askbam were indicted for night poaching. Mr Maule said that Robert Wright, the head gamekeeper of Mr George Fox, with five other keepers, went out to watch on the 16th Nov. last at one o'clock in the morning. At half-past one they were in Bramham-park, close by the Thatched House, Whincozer, in the township of Barwick in Elmet. They saw the prisoners standing about, and went towards them. They noticed that there were nets about fur catching game, and a bag was subsequently found with game in it. The prisoners cried out "Hiss, hies," and advanced to meet the keepers, whom they attacked. The keepers, however, got the best of the fight, and several of the poachers were wounded. The fight  lasted 10 minutee, at the end of which time the keepers succeeded in apprehending the prisoners. It was contended on behalf of the prisoners that the keepers attacked them, and that they, on their part, offered no resistance whatever beyond what was absolutely necessary to protect themselves.  His lordship said that if the jury believed the witnesses there was no doubt the offence had been committed. The jury acquitted the prisoners. Thus ended the business of the Midland Circuit.