Middlesbrough & Stockton Gazette and General Advertiser. — 1874-03-12 (Stockton-on-Tees, Cleveland, England)

MIDDLESBROUGH POLICE COURT.  THIJRBDAY.—Before H. Thompson and T.-B—rentuall,  Estes. MURDEROUS ASSAULT ON A POLICE SERGEANT BY A TUlSF.—Williaui Evenden, a determinedlooking, strong-built man, who said he came from London, was charged with stealing two pairs of boots, the property of John Iroeson and Sons; and also with violently assaulting Sergeant Tomlin The first witness called was Thomas Irneson, who said he was a partmer of the firm of Imesou and Sons, boot and shoe dealers. they were in the habit of hanging a quantity of boots outside their shop window about six feet from the eround On Tuesday last, about 8 o'clock at night, from what he eras tole, he saw that two pair of I oots ware gone from on. side the wind° s. The strap and part of one of the boots wit, left were the boots had been hanging. The boots had been cut down, l'he boots produced are those missed. They were the property of his firm, and worth 27s.—Sereeant Tenilin said that on Tue. day night about 8 o'clock, he was on duty in, Sussex. street, and saw the prisoner come fra Inieson's shop winslow with some boots midi, his arm. Ho folio wed him, and overtook him in William-street. He found that he had two pairs of boots under his arm. He asked where he got them, and prisoner replied that Le picked them up. Witness asked him to point out the place where he picked them up. Prisoner made no reply, but suddenly seized witness by the throat, reel attempted to throw him down, but witness succeeded in throwing him down. Prisoner had lost one pair of boots in the struggle, and witness held him down till a young man brought them to him. Witness allowed prisoner to get up, aud when they both got on their feet, Sergeant Tomlin slipped owiug to the icy stare the street, and fell on his back, and the prisoner fell on the top of him. He knelt on him, and began to et ike him violently in the face with both fists. Hu continued doing this until the sergeant was nearly choked with blood and almost blind. Sergeant Tonaliu managed at last to get from under the prisoner, and regained his feet. He held prisoner against a shop window with b,th hands until he recovered his breath, and then pushed him into Reuwiek's shop and kept him there until two officers came to his assistance. He was taken to the Police Statiou, and eharged with stealing the boote. There were a great many people looking on, but no one rendered him auy assistance. He was present when prisoner was searched. Prisoner had a knife on him, but no money. Many Kemble said: fen Tuesday night she was in her father (Mr Robert Renwick's) shop, at the corner of Sussex and William-streets, and she saw the last witness and prisoner struggling in the street. She saw the prisoner strike Sergeaut Tomlin several times, whilst some one else was holding him. Mr Saggerson ststed that when Sergt. Tomlin came to the office he was in such a deplorable coneition that be really did not kuo hisi for the moment. His face was disfigured and besmeared with blood. He hoped their worships would make an example of the prisoner. Mr Thompson said he could not find words to express his indignation at the conduct of the public who had stood round and witnessed such a murderous assault without rendering any assistance. He hoped the police would exert themeelvee to the utmost to find out the man who held Tomlin down while the prisoner assaulted him. Mr Brentuall fully concurred in this. Such conduct was utterly unworthy of the British public. It was dreadful to think that a police officer, who was acting in the interests of the public by protecting their property, was to be half killed in the street, with people looking on, refusing to help him. Prisoner pleaded guilty to both charges, and the magistrates sentenced him to six months imprisonment with hard labour in each ease, the one term to commence from the expiratien of the other.