The Sun. — 1844-12-14 (London, England)

GURNEY.) Michael Pigott, alias Pickett, was indicted for having feloniously, after a previous conviction, uttered a counterfeit shilling to Ann Jones, at Liverpool, on the 9th of November last. Mr. Cobbett and Mr. Whigham conducted the prosecution, and Mr. James defended the prisoner. The evidence under the present charge was, that the prisoner had passed the bad shilling in payment for a glass of ale, and on being told it was a counterfeit, ran away. Mr. JAMES contended that there was a variance between the copy record produced, that of a conviction at the Liverpool Borough Sessions, and the recital of it in the present indictment, inasmuch as the indictment, following the words of the record in evidence, stated that the prisoner was tried " at the borough aforesaid, and within the jurisdiction of this Court," which words, " this court," must be considered as referring to the present Court of Assize. It was argued for the prosecution, that the word " this" referred to the court before mentioned, " at the borough aforesaid," and that as it was not necessary to set out the whole previous record verbatim, the variance, if any, was not material. Mr. Baron GURNEY held the objection to be good, and the prisoner was therefore acquitted. He stood further charged fur the misdemeanour in uttering, and was thereon found Guilty. He had been twice before convicted, and was sentenced to be imprisoned for one year, with hard labour. Joseph M'Caughie, aged 40, was indicted for having, in the month of October last, attempted to discharge a loaded pistol at one William Arkle, with intent to kill and murder him. There were other counts, laying the attempt with intent to do grievous bodily harm, &c. The prosecution was conducted by Mr. Brandt and Mr. Paget. It appeared in evidence that Mr. Arkle was a superintendent landing-surveyor in the Prince's Dock, and that the prisoner had been employed as a landingwaiter there. In consequence of the prisoner being charged with drunkedness he was turned out of his employ, and shortly afterwards came to the dock with the intention apparently of being avenged for the loss of his employ on Mr. Arkle. After inquiring for Mr. Arkle, he went towards the place where Mr. Arkle was, met him, and pointed a pistol at him, but did not discharge it. It seemed doubtful, upon the evidence, whether the pistol at the time it was pointed by the prisoner was in a condition to be discharged. The prisoner, who was not defended by counsel, read a long written statement, in which he complained of the hardship of being thus turned off, stating that he was unable to get a character from the Custom-house, and that since his discharge his own condition and that of his wife and children had been one of the greatest wretched. ness, having no better prospect before them than the workhouse. He admitted that he had approached Mr. Arkle with the intention to do him an injury, but when he beheld him his conscience was smitten with horror at the idea of such an act, and that he had then immediately taken the cap off the pistol, and thrown it away. Verdict —G uilty. His LORDSHIP, after a solemn admonition to the prisoner on the enormity of the offence he had contemplated, sentenced lihn to be imprisoned for two years. George Jordan and George Wylie stood indicted for having , at Bootle-cum-Lim:ere, burglariously broken and entered the dwelling-;louse of John Percival, called the Derby Arms, on the 10th of August, and stolen therein a shawl, coat, and other articles. Jordan pleaded guilty to the charge. Wylie was acquitted. There was a previous conviction against the other prisoner. Sentenced to be transported for twenty years. Charles Pilling, aged 21, and William Wylde, aged 24, were charged with having, at Tunge, on the 19th of October, assaulted Thomas Holden, put him in bodily fear, and stolen from his person the sum of three gyvereigns. Both convicted, and sentenced to be transported for fifteen years.  York, Dee. 12. Owing to the great number of prisoners for trial at these assizes, it was found impossible that Mr. Justice Coleridge could get through the business in time for opening the Commission at Durham. Mr. Justice Cresswell accordingly arrived at York last night to assist in the trial of prisoners. Two courts have, therefore. been open during the day. The only cases of public interest which have come before their Lordships are here subjoined:—  (Before Mr. Justice