The Sun. — 1851-12-23 (London, England)

THE SUN,  THE AFFRAY WITH POACHERS IN  NORFOLK.  DEREEIAM, DEC. 20.—Seven men, named Richard Lincoln, William Hunter, William Stagg, John Lake, Robert Buckle, William Harwood, and John Hunter, who were brought from Norwich Castle in charge of Mr. Pinson, the governor, and a strong force, underwent an examination yesterday before the magistrates Sitting in petty sessions, at the Assembly Rooms of this town, on the charge of being concerned in a most himurtflEt rousaffray hear Lefton, in this county, when anoth eiyle,,r Superintendent Parker of the constabulary and er et. ianthe force nearly lost their lives through ejusticea who presided were the Rbeei vn ers.h opt., and the Rev. W. Girling. Col. Oakes, ' present, as also Mr. SupPrtageistfrates thought some rea4on, not itnhtee3ncdheintoAf tnhderews,e'twadas expialuilevtehral of the men. For ; bute m believe, were the main fatte, fit, to exclude the reporteys Adduced olFlowing, we weeks past much alarm has been created in toile r sev.erhal bourhood of Letton by a gang „f some 15 nnerig,lo poachers prowling about thq woods and preßerves, and threatening the most murderous conseqa,ness in the event of being interfered with in their unlawful pursuit. 'hay intimated their intention of visiting the wood: of Mr. B. Gurdon, of Letton-hall, and on the night of the 22tii ult. a party of 11 of the gang visited the cottage of the gamekeeper, a man named Whitacre, and warned him not to go out after them, at the same time firing a volley at the dwelling, as if to more fully convince him of his fate should he pursue them. At length it was arranged to seek the aid of the constabulary in capturing this desperate gang, and Mr. Superintendent Parker, of the Swaffham division, and several of his force, amounting in all to 13 or 14 men, were stationed in the vicinity of the estate. On the night of the 6th inst., about 12 o'clock, the • discharge of guns was heard in the woods, and superintendent with his men at once proceeded in the  direction of the report. At length they came up with a body of poachers, in number nine, who apparently had noticed the approach of the officers, and bad prepared themselves for a desperate resistance. Elevating their guns they shouted "stand off," and before the constables could proceed a step further three of the guns were fired at them, and ➢lr. Parker being at the bead of his force he received nearly the whole of the charge of one of the guns in his face. He staggered and fell back to the ground, and subsequently it was found that he had been shockingly wounded in the cheeks, mouth, and other parts of his face, 35 or 36 shots having been extracted from these injuries. Another officer named Greenacre also received several shots, but fortunately at the moment he was standing rather behind a tree, the trunk of which was shattered by the charge of the second gun. The officers seeing their superintendent fall a desperate effort was made to capture the men. After some sharp fighting the poachers were overpowered, but only three were apprehended at the time, the remainder escaping through the woods. They were found to have disguised themselves by blackening their faces with gunpowder and turning their clothes inside out. The me❑ who were captured on the spot are said to be Richard Lincoln, William Hunter, and Robert Buckle. Guns, quite warm, showing that they bad recently been discharged, were found in their possession. On the same night William Stagg and John Lake were apprehended, and a day or two afterwards William Harwood and John Hunter were arrested. The wounded superintendent was not able to attend, but it was stated that his condition had not become more dangerous. The investigation closed with the whole of the prisoners being fully committed to Norwich Castle to take their trial at the ensuing spring assizes. Two of the gang are still at liberty, but it is thought that they cannot long elude the vigilance of the police.