The Sun. — 1862-09-18 (London, England)

SURREY SESSIONS.  (Before Mr. Baggallay, Q.C.) Daniel Dacombe, 48, a singular-looking man, was indicted for unlawfully and maliciously cutting and wounding John Taut, with a chopper and butcher's knife, at Newington. Mr. M'Neven prosecuted, and Mr. Lilley defended the prisoner. The prosecutor, a little man, whose Lead and left hand were bandaged up, and who appeared to have been suffering severely from wounds, said he was in the employ of Mr. Glover, pork butcher, Walworth-road. He had known the prisoner some years as an imbecile, but always considered him to be harmless. About eight o'clock on the morning of the 26th ult. witness was unloading his master's cart at the shop-door, and by some means he accidentally brushed against the prisoner, who called out, " What did you do that for ?" and, following him into the shop, took up a 71b. NN, eight, with which he attempted to strike him. He avoided the blow by running into the back shop, where he remained until he was gone. About twelve at noon he brought some goods into the shop, when he saw the prisoner there again, but took no notice of him. The prisoner, however, on seeing him, snatched up a chopper, and flung it at him with consider: ble violence, striking him on the left arm, but not with the sharp edge. The prisoner then seized the large knife, and rushed upon him, making several thrusts at him with it. Witness closed with him and threw him down, with the view of disarming him, bat the prisoner used the knife with such dexterity as to wound him frightfully. He cut a piece off the top of his head, part of his left ear, and when witness put his left hand up to protect himself he actually' cut the ends of two of his fingers off. He also inflicted two deep gashes on the top of his head, and cut him on the left shoulder. Had not assistance come he would have murdered him. Witness was carried to the hospital, and was still under medical treatment. Cross-examined—Did not purposely run up against the prisoner with a pig, neither did he provoke him in the least. He joked with him as usual about his wife, and that was all. William Bollard, another man in Mr. Glover's employ, gave corroborative evidence. Mr. Lilley then addressed the jury at some length for the prisoner, whose family connections were highly respectable, and who was well known to all the tradespeople and inhabitants of the Walworthroad for his kindness and humanity. He should be able to show that he was aggravated by Taut, and. annoyed in such a manner as to provoke him to commit an act he would not otherwise have done. The learned counsel called four witnesses, who said that they saw the prosecutor excite the prisoner, and push him about on the morning in question. They said he was in the habit of doing so, well knowing his weak intellect. A number of highly respectable tradesmen came forward,to speak on the prisoner's behalf, and The jury returned a verdict on the second count, for unlawfully wounding, recommending him to the mercy of the court. The Chairman observed that the jury had come to a proper verdict, and he should consider the recommendation by sentencing the prisoner to six months' imprisonment in the county gaol, where he would have the careful attention of the surgeon.