Star. — 1830-08-23 (London, England)

THAMES POLICE. ATTEMPT TO MURDER ANOTHER PoLICE Coxterant.t. Maurice Etas WI% an Irish coal-whipper, was brought up on the very serious charge of assaulting and attempting to stab .Henry Lee, a police constable of the K. division, No. 268, with intent to murder him. Lee deposed, that he was on duty the previous night in New Gravel-lane, Shadwell, when he observed the prisoner much intoxicated, making a disturbance, and insulting every person that passed. Witness requested him to go home, and, after very much persuasion, the prisoner left the spot, evidently for that purpose. In about two minutes afterwards the prisoner returned, accompanied by his wife, witlf a large clasp knife in his hand, and advancing in front of witness, he made a thrust at him with the weapon direct at his stomach, calling out "take that, you b—y policeman." He instantly retreated backwards, or the weapon would, no doubt, have killed him. He pulled out his truncheon, and exclaimed " drop your knife," but the prisoner again made another thrust with the knife at his belly, but in consequence of his quickly stepping backwards it again missed him, but the point of the blade touched his clothes. The next moment a brother officer came up and secured the prisoner. Joseph Randall, Police Constable, 286, R. was on the opposite side of the way, when he heard Lee say " drop the knife," and observed the prisoner attempt to stab him. He immediately crossed over and collared the prisoner, who made a most determined resistance. The prisoner's wife, who was present, seized the knife out of her husband's hand, and gave it to witness. Mr. BRODERIP said the charge was most serious, and he expected the witness would not answer the question without due deliberation. " Did the prisoner thrust the knife at you in a malicious way, of merely out of bravado ?" Lee—l am positive his intention was to stab me, and that he aimed the knife at me with a malicious intent. In answer to further questions, the witness said the prisoner had no knife in his hand the first time he saw him, but, on his return the second time, he pulled the knife from under the sleeve of his coat, and immediately attempted to stab him. The knife was here produced ; it was a very large clasp one, such as is generally used by labourers to cut their food. The prisoner in defence, declared that he was using the knife to cut some bread and cheese which he was eating at the time, and had no intention to hurt any one. He hoped his wife would be called on to prove his statement. Mr. Broderip said the prisoner should have the benefit of her testimony, and she was called in. The answer to the first question put to her was, that her husband was not eating bread and cheese, nor had he any knife in his hand whatever. 111 r. BRODERICK indignantly ordered the woman out of the Office, and said it was evident she had committed the grossest perjury, as her husband admitted having a knife in his hand, and that his wife took it from him. _ _ _  ..-... ....... The Magistrates then disposed of the case under the Summary Assault Act, and convicted the prisoner in the highest penalty of 51; and, in default of payment, he was sentenced to two months imprisonment.