The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser. — 1826-01-09 (London, England)

LITT LEDAI.E.I Richard Groombridge was Indicted, under I..ird Lilenborough's Act, for feloniously cutting and staboing Stephen Holmes with • certain sharp instrument, at blsiclstone, on the 2d of October, with Intent to murder him. Other counts charged the intent to be to disable, and to do the prosecutor some grievous bodily harm. Mr. MARSHA)! conducted the prosecution, and Mr. CLatit sox the defence. It appeared in evidence that the prisoner and the prosecutor were both butchers' apprenticei, of Maidstone. On the evening of the fki of October, the prosecutor had been employed by a Mrs. Aid. ridge to watch the grave of her husband, who had been interred In Maidstone church-yard that day. He remained on his post until ten o'clock, when he retired to the Globe, an adjacent publichouse, to procure some refreshment before he resumed his vigils fur the night. In the house he found the prisoner, in a state of intoxication, quarrelling with another young man. The landlord required prosecutor's assistance to turn the prisoner out of the house. He immediately stripped off his coat, and puttied the prisoner with some violence out of the house, and the door was fastened against him. In his retreat the prisoner dropped some halfpence out of his pocket, and also missed his hat. Shortly after he was shut out the prisoner knocked at the door and demanded his money and hat. The landlord picked up the halfpence, and opening the door, gave them to him, and recommended that he should go home bly, lest he should get into trouble. Ile, however, remained ece knockingas at the dour, when the prosecutor, who had returned to the house, came out for the purpose of remonstrating with, and advising him to go home quietly. He went up to him. wheu the prisoner aimed a blow at him with something which appeared like a knife. The prosecutor threw up. his left Arm to avoid the blow, which he received on the back of his hand, and instantly perceived that he was cut. He then struck the prisoner a blow on the face ; and, in return, the prisoner struck at him twice with the same weapon, and paled him slightly on the left shoulder and arm. The prisoner then ran off, but was pursued and taken in half an hour. When in custody of the constable, he contrived to throw something from him whirl* could not be found • the wound on the prosecutor's hand was very slight, and got well with the applica tion of a little brandy, without the aid of a surgeon, and by an in. ternal administration of some rum and water. The prisoner denied the charge altogether. Several witnesses gave him an excellent character for quietness and humanity. Mr. Justice LITTLIDALI summed up the evidence, and di. reefed attention to the Manna charges contained in the several counts. The Jury, after a short deliberation, found the prisoner Nat Guilty.  BATITaDAT,I7A,t.. 7.  John Barton was indicted for the wilful murder of Thomas Page, by stabbing him with a knife at Sandgate on the 18th of November last. Mr. BOLLAND conducted the prosecution, and Mr. ANDnEws and Mr. CLaassow, the defence. It appeared in evidence that the prisoner and deceased were mariners, the former about 50 years of age, and the latter .11i, at the time of his death. On the 111th November last, the landlord of the *hip, at Sandgate, gave what is called a house-warming, to some of his customers, against whom were the prisoner and the deceased. After supper, the prisoner, who was advanced in liquor, had • squabble with one of the guests named Gifford, and shortly afterwards went into the kitchen. Whilst sitting there, the deceased came behind him and rubbed his face with his hands. The prisoner expressed some indignation at this liberty, and desired the deceased to leave Whitt tricks. The deceased left the kitchen, and in a few minutes after, returned with his hands blackened, and then besmeared the prisoner's face from behind, as before. The prisoner started up in an angry manner, drew a clasp knife from his pocket, which he opened, and pursued the deceased to the door, but the latter escaped. In two minutes after he returned, and approaching the prisoner, addressed him by the nick-name of " Bustack," and said " we mean to have a spree to-night." The prisoner, who had kept the knife open in his hand. immediately started up and exclaimed, " You are the man," rushed at the deceased, and stabbed him in the lower part of the belly. The deceased, unconscious . .