The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser. — 1842-10-11 (Liverpool, Merseyside, England)

ATTORNEY-GENERAL for the county palatine (Mr. Sergeant Acherley) briefly stated the case to the jury. He had the honour to appear before them on the part of the crown. The charge against the prisoners was for a misdemeanour only, the punishment for which was less than for felonly. The jury would be aware that great riots and tumults had taken place. He should not enter into the causes of those disturbances, but should confine himself to the facts, and endeavour so to call the witnesses as to show them and his lordship the amount of participation in the offence chargeable against the prisoners respectively. He then stated the circumstances as they aftewards appeared in evidence ; and concluded by stating, that, on the part of the prosecution, there was no desire to treat these cases otherwise than with every lenity consistent with the peace and safety of society ; on the other hand, it was the duty of the jury, without swerving to the right or to the left, to discharge their duty with firmness, yet with that degree of mercy which would vindicate justice and maintain truth. (Mr. Hilliard was with the Attorney-General.) The following witnesses were then called : John Allinson, v serjeant of the Machester police, said, I I was in Blakeley-street on the 10th August, and saw a large mob of about 2000 persons, many of them armed with clubs and bludgeons. The two male prisoners, Sheridan and Lee, were amongst them. Sheridan was foremost in the mob, with a club. Lee was third, and had an iron bar in his hand, like a broken shovel. They went to Clanson and Vaughan's dye-house, and turned out the hands. At Mr. Rothwell's silk establishment they also turned out the hands. They had called at a chemist's and a starch work bcfore that, and at the station-house. The mob afterwards returned to the station-house. They flung stones at the door and windows. Sheridan and Lee both flung stones. One of them (Sheridan) broke a window. I was the only person at the stationhouse at the time. They broke open the door, and were very rough. Some of them said they would murder me. I went down into the cell with a sword, to save myself. Some threatened to take my life ; others said never mind him. They carried off the whole of the bedding, also my watch, which was hanging up, and two birds' cages belonging to me. I do not know the parties who broke the place open. I afterwards saw the girl Carney, after the damage was done. She was carrying things out of the station. I was afterwards rescued by the police and the soldiers. Thomas Bridges, an exciseman, said—l was in Manchester on the 10th August. The town was in a riotous state. I was in Roger-street, near the gas-works. There were from 400 tc 500 people at a time together; sometimes more. They ebbed and flowed in numbers. They were battering the front of the building ; and, being apprehensive of that part of the town being put in darkness for want of gas, I went to the police-station. I afterwards saw the mob bring desks, furniture, and policemen's clothing ont of the station-house. They broke the articles, and threw the clothes into thn river. Lee had a weapon, with which he battered the door. I saw a large bird-cage in another person's hand, and he was going to throw it over the bridge. Lee took it from him, and broke it by trampling upon it. I saw Carney up stairs in the station-house, and I saw her throw several articles out inro the river, which is below one end of the building. She remained some time on the pre. mises, and was taken into custody when afterwards running • across the street. Ellen Kelly, a girl, said—l was near the station-house that day, and I saw the girl Carney up stairs at the station-house. She threw some brushes and other articles out of the window. His LORDSIIIP said there was no evidence of the conspiracy to go to the jury. The male prisoners being severally asked what they had to say, entered iuto some statements, which, had they been proved, would have shown an alibi; but the witnesses called by them did not appear. The girl, who appeared to be much • distressed and cried during the whole proceedings, said she did not throw a ha'porth of things out of the window. His LORDSHIP summed up; confining the case as regarded all the prisoners to the riot only. The Jury immediately found them all guilty ; but recom mended the girl to the leniency of the court, on account of her tender years. The