The Sun. — 1854-09-19 (London, England)

POLICE INTELLIGENCE.  GUILDHALL.—An adjournment of this court was held at the Justice-hall, Session-house, Old Bailey, when the Rev. Hugh. Pollard Willoughby was charged before Alderman Finnis and Sir John Musgrove with feloniously and maliciously shooting at and discharging a loaded pistol at Mr. Hardinge S. Giffard, barrister-atlaw, with intent to murder him.  Mr. Alderman and Sheriff Wire was in attendance, and Mr. Parry, Mr. Sleigh, Mr. Cooper, and other members of the bar were present. Mr. Clark, the clerk of the arraigns, took the depositions.  Mr. Clarkson, instructed by Mr. Wontner, conducted the defence of the prisoner, who appeared to be about 50 years of age, and exhibited not the slightest concern at the position in which he was placed. The following was the evidence taken : Police-sergeant Rutland, of the City force, said—l was present in the Old Court, Old Bailey, this afternoon, when I saw the prisoner fire a pistol at Mr. Giffard, who was sitting at the table usually occupied by barristers. I immediately got up to seize the prisoner, when RusSell, the police-constable, laid hold of him. The prisoner said, " I have another pistol, which is loaded." George Russell, of the detective force, said—l was in court when the pistol was discharged. I immediately rushed upon the prisoner and secured him ; after which I asked him if he had another pistol about him, and he paid he had. I took it from his coat pocket, and he told me it was loaded. It is a similar pistol to the one produced, and had a percussion cap on the nipple. I searched him and found only 51. in gold, 12s. 6d. in silver, and 5111. in copper, a port-monnaie, and a gold watch and chain. James Tarbutt Hall *d—l took the pistol from the last witness. It appears to be loaded. Mr. Samuel Lilley said—l am a barrister, and was present in the court when the pistol was fired. I saw the prisoner present something at the head of Mr. Giffard, who was sitting next to me, and immediately afterwards heard an explosion, and felt something- strike me on the side of the cheek. I jumped from my seat and saw a pistol like the one produced is the prisoner's hand. When he fired it, he said to Mr. Giffard, "Do you remember Cardiff ?" The prisoner was instantly seized. I observed that Mr. Giffard's face was blackened apparently by the powder, and his cheek swollen, and a slight abrasion of the skin.  Mr. Clarkson said, as only sufficient evidence had been taken to justify the detention of the prisoner, he should recommend his client to offer no objection to the usual course being taken, and to reserve any observations he might have to offer for another opportunity.  Mr. Alderman Finnis asked if the bullet had been found, and by whom, as it was important to show how the pistol was loaded ? Mr. Alderman and Sheriff Wire said the bullet as well as the pistols were all carefully sealed up, and would be forthcoming at the next examination. The City Solicitor said he was in possession of all the necessary information, as well as the names of the witnesses that would be required to prove the fact of the pistol having been loaded with ball. The prisoner was then remanded to be brought up to this court for further examination, and was accordingly consigned to the care of the keeper of Newgate in the interim. The prisoner displayed great calmness of demeanour theoughout, and at the termination of the proceedings applied to have his watch restored to him. Mr. Clarkson said his property would be delivered up to him at the proper time, The prisoner then left the room in company with tl officers of the prison, and such was his self-possession that he turned hack to remind one of the officers to bring his umbrella after him.