The Sun. — 1854-09-11 (London, England)

POLICE INTELLIGENCE.  SOUTHWARK.—On Saturday this court was crowded to suffocation by persons connected with sporting clubs and horse-racing, to hear the decision of Mr. Combe respecting the summonses partially heard last week against John Robins, the alleged keeper and owner of a coffee-house, situate at No. 204, Blackfriars-road, for unlawfully keeping a betting-house, and John Palmer, for aiding, assisting, and conducting the same business, contrary to the statute. Mr. Clarkson appeared for Palmer, and Mr. Solomon. for Robins. Mr. Haynes, the superintendent of the M division, attended to support the charge. It appeared from the evidence of Henry Richards that he went into the coffee-house, alleged to be kept by Robins, on the 20th of July, and purchased a ticket for the Brighton Stakes, for which he• paid ls. On the day of drawing he again went to the coffee-house, when Robins told him that he had not members enough, and be gave him a ticket for the Ebor Handicap. On the 23d August witness went to Robins's house and wit-• nessed the drawing. The defendant Robins put the numbers into the box, and Palmer called out the names of the horses, but lie never heard that any one won. At the same time Mr. Nichols, a baker, in Union-street, Southwark-bridge-road, was there, and bad two tickets, which turned out blanks. Nichols bet Palmer 15 to 1 against Hermit, and 6 to 1 against Dr. O'Toole, and paid Palmer 11. in consideration of the bet.  - The witness was cross-examined by Mr. Solomons, and admitted that he acted as an informer, a►;d expected to be paid for it. He paid his shilling, well knowing that it was unlawful. Mr. Clarkson asked under what act his client `was summoned ?  Superintendent Hayes replied the 16th and 17th Vie.  toria, cap. 119. The fourth clause was quite clear, that any one carrying on, assisting, conducting, or keeping a betting-house, was liab?e to penalties, &c. Palmer was seen to assist • Robins, who was the keeper of the coffee-house.  .Mr. So'onions submitted that no proof had been tendered that Robins was the owner or occupier of the house according to the words of the act of Parliament. He, therefore, asked his worship to dismiss the summons. Mr. Hayese said. Robins had sold, Richards a ticket for the Surrey Race Club, 204, Blackfriars-road ; and two to Mr. Nichols, for which he received the money, and that had been admitted on the last examination.  Mr. Solomons observed that there was no proof that ltoi)ins was the owner or occupier of the coffee-house in question.  Mr. Combo said he must dismiss the summons against Robins, as no proof had been adduced that he was actually the occupier of the house. Mr. Clarkson then addressed' his worship on behalf of Palmer, contending that he knew nothing of Robins, but went in accidentally, and met Mr. Nichols, with whom he. made a trifling bet unknown to Robins. If it was otherwise' the greatest in this land would be likely to be brought to a police-court for an alleged breach of the law. He had something to do with the framing of the Act of Parliament, and that was intended to do away with betting houses. Palmer was not amenable to that act. He knew nothing of Robins beyond going to his house and meeting Mr. Nichols, with whom he made two friendly bets, quite unknown to Robins. After a very lengthy argument on both sides, Mr. Combe said there was no evidence to implicate Palmer under the Betting Act ; therefore he must dismiss the summons as well as the other.  Mr. Combe was informed by Serjeant Golding, 7 M, that an inquest had just been held at St. George's workhouse on a male infant, 17 days old, the offspring of Jane Harrington, who was charged on Thursday, at this court, for administering poison to it, and cruelly treating it. The jury returned a verdict of wilful murder against her, and she will be brought up on Monday for final examinathin.  Joseph Woodman, coal-merchant, 84, Cornwall-road, was fined 51. for indecently assaulting Eliza Blackwell, a respectable young girl, 14 years of age, who was in his service, and, in default of payment, committed for two months.