The Sun. — 1865-06-19 (London, England)

MARLBOROUGII-STREET. EXTRAORDINARY CHARGE OF ASSAULTING AND ATTEMPTING TO ROB A LICENSED VICTUALLER AND PUGILIST.— George Smith, a respectable looking man, described as a smith, was charged before Mr. Mansficd with assaulting James Dillon, licensed victualler and pugilist, of the White Horse, Baldwin's-gardens, Gray's-inn-lane, and attempting to steal his watch and chain.  night, I was passing The prosecutor said—Shortly after 12 o'clock on Saturdayway home, when the prisoner, whom I had seen sitting along Leicester-square on my against a lamp post, with two companions near him, pushed against me. I asked him whether there was not room for two persons, and what his game was. He said something I did not understand, and then struck me. A woman then ran up to the-man and said " Cheese it, cheese it—(leave off) —he's a fighting man. A mistake." Tho prisoner then knocked me down, and his friend laid Hold of my chain and watch. I shouted out " Police," and <the prisoner, who was kneeling on me, said "You --, if you call " Police I'll choke you." I got up and ran away, and the prisoner ran after me, and again knocked me down, and struck me with his fists. I then got up and ran after him, and gave him in charge. I had a light suit of clothes on at the time, and I've no doubt they took me for a foreigner. I was kicked in the loins, and was in bed all day yesterday. Police-constable 75 C—About half-past 1 on Sunday morning, hearing cries of " Murder," in Cranbourn-street, I went up and saw Dillon running, and a mob following him. I saw the prisoner knock Dillon down and fall' on him and strike him. I pulled the prisoner off and took him to the station.  In reply to Mr. Mansfield the constable said the prosecutor and the prisoner were both sober.  John Morris, hackney carriage attendant—l was on duty in Leicester-square, and saw Dillon knock a man down into the road, the man being intoxicated at the time. I told Dillon ho ought to be ashamed of himself, and Dillon then ran away, and then prisoner ran after him with a number of others, some of whom said, "Oh, he's a fighting man." The prisoner and Dillon then fought for about ten minutes, and on Dillon: falling on his back he said the prisoner wanted to rob him, but that was not the case. The constable then came up, and Dillon having got the worst of it, gave the prisoner in charge for attempting to rob him. The prisoner was drunk, till sobered by a fall Dillon gave him. -The prisoner—l had had a glass or two of beer and was leaning against a lamp-post, and Dillon coming along with a girl, knocked a man down. I asked why he did it, and through this a fight between them took place, and we both'fell occasionally atop of each other. The prosecutor afterwards gave me in charge for attempting to rob him. I am a working man, a smith, employed at 5, Jermyn-street, and do not wish to rob any one. What I have said is the truth. It all arose through Dillon knocking the man down without any reason.  A person stepped forward and gave the prisoner 15 years good character.  Mr. Mansfield—Has the prisoner ever been here before ?  Barns (the gaoler)—No, sir. Mr. Mansfield—ls Dillon a pugilist, and has he been here before ?  Barns—He is a pugilist, and has been committed from this court for three months for assaulting a female. Mr. Mansfield—The prisoner is discharged. The decision seemed to give satisfaction to most persons in attendance.