The Sun. — 1849-10-09 (London, England)

CLERKENWELL. John Potridge and James Reading, ruffianly-looking fellows, were placed at the-_bar before Mr. Combe, charged with the following daring outrage : It appeared from the evidence of numerous police constables of the S division, that on Sunday forenoon about half-past twelve o'clock, a gentleman, in a state of intoxication, was pursued by the prisoners and another low-looking fellow under pretence of protecting him. They continued their in enceuvres through Great College-street, Camden-town, and caused a great disturbance, much to the annoyance of the inhabitants, who called upon the police to interfere, when police-constable 288 S made his appearance and remonstrated with the prisoners and their companion. advising them to leave the gentleman, who was helpless, and not to annoy the inhabitants. The prisoner, by their conduct caused every large assemblage, when a reinforcement of the police arrived, took the gentleman under their protection, who had been robbed of his watch, Sac. The prisoners and their companions evinced the most spiteful feeling towards the officers, and, tearing up the iron railings in front of the houses in Great College-street, made a desperate attack upon them, swearing that they would do for the officers, who, although they used every effort to defend themselves, were seriously maltreated. The prisoners' companion fought desperately until he received a violent blow on the head from one of the constable's, when he was carried away from the spot insensible by some of the mob. The prisoners at the bar fought against the officers with considerable violence and desperation until they were overpowered, and after a violent resistance they were locked up in the station-house until yesterday morning, when, in consequence of the excitement and alarm created in the neighbourhood, the court was crowded to excess. Holding, 288 S, said, he was on duty in Prattstreet, Camden-town, on Sunday afternoon, when some inhabitants gave him information that a gang of ruffians and thieves were persuing a gentleman who was intoxicated, and evidently attempting to plunder him. Witness proceeded to Great College street, where he found the prisoners and another fellow " bonnetting" the gentleman, pushing him about in an unfeeling and blackguard manner, and on interfering for his protection the prisoners threw stones at him, took off their coats, and fought. The moment an extra body of policemen arrived on the spot the prisoner Potridge gave a signal, when he seized hold of the iron railings, tore them up with main strength, and running at witness, exclaimed, " You --, 1.11 do for you," and rushing at him made a blow to strike him down, but he warded it off, or he must inevitably have been murdered; he took the railing from the prisoner, who was apprehended but the other man who escaped was well known, and is supposed to have been taken to some hospital in consequence of the injuries he had received. The gentleman whom they had robbed was so helpless through liquor that the only information they could elicit from him was that it was "all right," and that lie was a barrister residing at Hampstead. Sergeant Wakefield, 37 S, had made inquiries at. various hospitals to trace the injured man who had escaped, but was, unable to find him.  Mr. ComBE inquired of the prisoners what they had to say to such ruffianly and cowardly conduct ? They replied that they were going home, when they met a gentleman who had been drinking a little who invited them to drink with him, and treated them at several public houses until he became quite drunk ; he then requested them to see him home to Hampstead, which they were doing when the police interfered with them. They denied the charges against them.  -Mr. COMBE convicted both prisoners, and senenced them to six weeks' imprisonment each in the [-louse of Correction with hard labour.  Search is making for the prisoners' companion and subsequently a charge of felony will be exhi bited against them.