The Sun. — 1847-08-25 (London, England)

CLERKEN WELL. John Ashley was charged by Mr. Martin, the newly appointed Master of Clerkenwell workhouse, with disorderly conduct, and with having nearly bitten off the finger of Elizabeth Wright, one of the nurses in that establishment. It appeared that on Monday last, about twelve o'clock in the forenoon; the prisoner was found in the street, apparently in a fit, when he was carried to the above workhouse. Every assistance was afforded him, and Mr. Taylor, the parish surgeon, attended him, and found that it was a sham fit. The prisoner then left the workhouse, but in about an hour afterwards he was brought again to the workhouse by a crowd of persons, in another pretended fit. He was received, and after bathing him with vinegar, and applying other restoratives, he " rallied," when he was requested to drink a little vinegar ; this he, however, detlined, when some water and small beer were offered him, but these he also refused, and he asked for brandy and water, some of which was handed to him, and he swallowed it all off. They damped a towel with vinegar, and put it to his chest, when he swore, plunged, and kicked, and offered violence to all present, and whilst Elizabeth Wright, the nurse, was wiping away the vinegar from his face he seized her hand, and forcing her finger into his mouth, he nearly bit it off. He then seized a long hair broom, and pursuing every body in the place, attempted to strike them down with it, and would have murdered them if they had not run out of his way. Assistance came, and after a desperate struggle and resistance, he was held down until the arrival of Martin, 243 G, who took him to the station-house. Mr. COMBE inquired whether he was known? Mr. Martin—We know nothing of him, but he has been in Maidstone gaol. Mr. COWIE asked the prisoner what he had to say for himself ? Prisoner—What does he say ? Officer—What have you to say to drinking the brandy and water, and refusing small beer ?—(A laugh.) Prisoner—Oh, what do you say ? Mr. Comns committed him to the House of Correction, with hard labour, for three weeks. Wm. Tumbling, aged 23, was placed at the bar, charged with forgery and fraud. It appeared that the prisoner was in the service of Mr. Joseph Dobson, tea dealer, of Leather-lane, Holborn. On the 4th of the present month he ealled at. the house of Mr. Brittain, of the White Hart, Lea ther-lane, ens representing that he had been sent by his master, offered a cheque for 201. to be cashed, saying that if he (Mr. Brittain) required the cash again he could have it again in the evening. The cheque purported to have been drawn by Joseph Thompson, on the London and County Bank, in bombard-street, and on being presented there it was discovered to be a forgery. Mr. Dobson on the day in question discharged the prisoner from his employ. He never authorised the prisoner to obtain cash for a cheque. He kept his cash account in the Bank of England alone. The cheque produced was in the prisoner's handwriting. Bunton, 272 M, apprehended the prisoner at No. 76, Alfred-place, Sloane- square, Chelsea. The prisoner did not deny having uttered the cheque, but he did not draw it. He was fully committed on this charge. 'He was next charged with forging a cheque,,purporting to have been drawn by " B. B. Cabble.' In this case the prisoner obtained from Mr. Frederick Smith, of the White Lion, Edgware-road, 201., under a representation that he led been sent by Mr Birmingham, a cheesemonger in the neighbourhood, with a cheque for that amount, bearing the before-mentioned signature. On its being presented at the bank it was found to be a forgery. The prisoner was altogether unknown to Mr. Birmingham, whose servant he represented himself to be. A third charge was exhibited against the prisoner for forging the name of Mr. Bolton, the coach proprietor, of Dudley-street, Paddington, to a cheque for 20/., the amount of which he likewise obtained from Mr. Smith. It was decided to commit the prisoner for trial on these cases, but be would be brought up again on a future day for their final completion.