The Sun. — 1848-06-13 (London, England)

WORSHIP-STREET.  Richard Alyrton, a diminutive man, described as a journeyman-shoemaker, was brought before Mr. Hammill upon a warrant, charged with having assaulted and threatened the life of a young woman, named Sophia Nathan, in consequence of her having given important information to the police with respect to the Chartist leader Williams, which led to his apprehension. The complainant stated that she resided with her father, in Catherine wheel-alley, Spitalfields, immediately opposite a house which had been occupied by the Chartist Williams until very recently, when he suddenly changed his residence, and having been questioned by the police as to his place of retreat, she gave such information as led to his arrest. In consequence of the part she had taken in this matter she had incurred a great deal of odium amongst certain characters in the neighbourhood, and whilst proceeding with her sister on Friday evening to the shop of a tradesman in Raven-row, she observed that they were closely followed by four men, amongst whom was the prisoner, whom she recognised as having lived for a considerable time in 'Williams's house. On leaving the shop she found the whole of them waiting outside, and the prisoner, addressing ►the others, said, " This is the - that gave information about Williams, who is now in Newgate." One of his companions asked him which of the women he meant, when the prisoner replied, " This one ;" and at the same time struck her a smart backhanded blow upon the mouth. She was hastening on with her sister, when the prisoner called after them that he would do for her at the first opportunity, and from the knowledge she possessed of his disposition and connexions, she considered her life to be in danger.  Sarah Nathan, the complainant's sister, entirely confirmed her evidence, and it was also stated by the complainant and her father that another woman who witnessed the transaction, and promised to come forward, had called upon them that morning and intimated that she was afraid to attend, as one of the prisoner's companions had threatened her with murder if she ventured to give evidence in the case. When called upon for his defence, the prisoner positively denied having either struck or spoken to the complainant, but admitted that some words had ensued between her and his brother, merely on account of the latter having looked at her rather steadfastly, which excited her very much, and after denouncing them as Chartists, she told them that they might go to Newgate, and join their friend Williams. The defendant's brother and another witness were called, who partly confirmed his statement, but differed materially from each other upon almost every essential particular. Mr. HAMMILL said, that as the actual assault committed was not one of a serious character, and the prisoner was evidently a person in impoverished circumstances, he should only impose upon him a penalty of 405., but as he had also been guilty of the grave offence of holding out alarming threats towards a person who had come forward in furtherance of the ends of justice, he would further require him to put in substantial bail for his peaceable behaviour for the succeeding three months. The prisoner was unable either to pay the penalty, or procure the sureties, and was therefore removed in the van.