The Sun. — 1862-09-02 (London, England)

ASSAULT ON THE CRYSTAL PALACE PLATFORM.— Mr. Henry Ewen, described as a gentleman of fortune, residing at North Lodge, Park-road, Regent's Park, appeared to answer a summons taken out against him by Mr. William Miller, an attorney at law, charging him with an assault. Mr. Metcalfe, the barrister, attended on behalf of the complainant, and Mr. F. H. Lewis for the defendant.  The case occupied some time in hearing, but the short facts were these :—On the evening of the 22d of last month the complainant, with Mrs. Miller and a little boy of five years old, and the defendant, with Mrs. Ewen and child; and accompanied by Miss Rogers and a Mr. Litcoffei were on the Crystal Palace platform, awaiting the arrival of a train to take them to town. At length a train arrived, and Mr. Miller observing a first-class carriage empty, approached with the intention of getting into it. Mr. Ewen ha ring previously laid hold of the handle of the carriage, kept possession of it until his party came up and admitted them to the exclusion of Mr. Miller and his little boy, and though Mrs. Miller had managed to get in, she returned on seeing the defendant striking her husband. Mr. Miller, annoyed at being prevented from getting into the train by the defendant, called him a 6 fool and a blackguard," upon which the latter struck at him and hii him one slight blow on the left jaw. The result was that Mr. Miller was unable to go by the train, and was left behind ; but having obtained the name and address of Mr. Ewen he took out the present summons against him.  For the defendant it was alleged that the complainant had pushed Miss Rogers rudely from the earriage ; and after hearing the parties at some length, Mr. Elliott observed that it was quite clear the defendant had no right to take possession of the carriage in the way he had done to the exclusion of the complainant and his wife and child, and it was  equally Clear that the complainant was wrong in making use of the offensive expressions, and therefore there Fere faults on both sides. It was equally clear that an assault had been committed by the defendant, which could not be justified, and for that assault he must pay a penalty of 205., or in default 20 days' imprisonment. The penalty and expenses were at once paid.  ihim. As my daughter was so very timid I did not tell her my suspicions, but quickened our pace to, wards St. George's-square. We proceeded along till we came to a place with grass growing, and which I thought to be a field, very dark, and being bounded on one side by a wall. As we got to a corner of the wall the man suddenly jumped out and made a grasp at me, which I evaded, and ran off screaming " Murder" and " Police," towards some houses, when I was caught by some ladies who came out from one of the houses. The place where the man came upon us is a very lonely spot. Mr. Yardley—ls this the man that you saw following you P Witness—l think it is. Mr. Yardley—Are you sure that prisoner is the , I man ?  Witness—To the best of my belief he is. When he missed me he seized my daughter and threw her down and rifled heir. Mr. Yardley—Was he taken into custody at the time ?  Witness—No, sir. Mr. Yardley—When did you see this man P. Witness—At the station-house, where I was sent for, and asked if I could see any one there that I had seen before. I pointed out the prisoner from a great many other men.  Prisoner—l am innocent of this. It is not me., Isabella Mould said—l am daughter of the last witness. Last Friday night we were returning home together, and as we got to a lonely spot I was seized by a man, and he took me up in his arms and threw me down with very great violence on the ground, and much bruised and cut me. He then put his foot on me, and turned my pockets out and rifled about my belt. I could not see the features or dress of the party, because the hat which I wore he knocked over my face and eyes. I was picked up in a fainting state.