The Sun. — 1863-05-26 (London, England)

THAMEWITH VIOLENCE.—John Hurley, Et notorious thief, and Elizabeth Brown, his sister, a woman of the town, both well known to the police, were brought before Mr. Woolrych, charged with assaulting and robbing a seaman, named Robert Montgomery. This case was a very aggravated one. The prosecutor, who appeared to be suffering from the brutal violence inflicted upon him, was dwelling in the Back-road, St. Geo-ge's-in-the•East. He was on his way home between the hours of 12 and 1 o'clock this morning, when he was suddenly attacked close to the northern end of a vile place, called Victoria-street, and thrown down and plundered. He was directed by the magistrate to state more particularly what occurred, and he said he was seized by the neck from behind. His throat was compressed, and he was nearly choked. He staggered, and was thrown to the ground. There were five or six upon him. His pockets were rifled, and all his money, consisting of a £5 Bank of England note, four sovereigns, and some silver, taken away. He partially recovered while the people were robbing him, and sung out for the police as well as he could. In answer to Mr. Woolrych, the witness said he was a little gone with liquor—in fact, he had been drinking a good deal, but he knew all that occurred, and what money he had in his pocket, In answer to the prisoner Hurley, the witness said—l oan swear to you, I know you. You laid held of me, and held me down while my pockets were rifled. I said to you, "I shall know you again well." William Logan, a sailor, deposed—l was at the top of Victoria-street, and I heard a man screaming out. I looked round and saw the prisoners on the top of the last witness. The chap there (pointing to Hurley) caught him by the back of the neck and choked him. It was the most brutal thing I ever saw. She was rifling his pockets, There were people all around. I saw both prisoners leave the sailor on the ground after they had robbed him of all he had. John Lyons, who said he was a dock labourer by day and a professional by night, gave similar evidence, and said that Hurley spoke to him after the robbery was committed. He was seated on a step humming a song when the prisoners had the sailor down and were rifling his pockets. He dared not interfere as there were always so many thieves, ruffians, and prostitutes about Victoria- street. He was taken into custody by mistake, and he told the police all he knew. Hurley asked him about the tickets for his benefit, and how ho got on after committing the outrage and robbery. John Fry, police-constable, No. 320 K, was in the Backroad and heard a cry of police and murder, and a man passed him, who said to a woman" I have got it," and bolted into a house close by. The prosecutor came up and said " I have lost all." He soon afterwards took the prisoners into custody —the man in Victoria. street and the woman in Palmer's folly. Both were thieves.  Evidence of former convictions were given. Hurley was convicted of coining six years' ago and sentenced to foul years' penal. servitude. There were other convictions against him. Mr. Woolrych—This is a highway robbery with violence. The prisoners are committed for trial.