The Sun. — 1836-12-03 (London, England)

VAUGHAN.) James Holmes, Thomas Woodford, and Joseph O'Donnell were indicted for assaulting Mary Anne Gardiner on the Bth of November, and stealing from her a cloak and some other articles.  On the day named in the indictment the prisoners, who are mere bo.ys, met the prosecutrix in Vincent-square, in the Borough, apparently in a state of intoxication. Holmes placed himself on the pavement before her, and Woodford pushed her over him. Holmes then untied her cloak, and took it away from her person, while Woodford remained behind to pick her pocket. O'Donnell was in company with the other prisoners, as was also the principal witness of the robbery. The cloak was subsequently sold to an old fishwoman for six pence, which was divided between them, and information being given to a policeman the prisoners were apprehended. The Jury, not deeming the evidence satisfactory, acquitted all the prisoners. John Twaite was indicted for a malicious assault on his own child, with intent to do him grievous bodily harm. It appeared in evidence, that on the 9th of November the prisoner sent by his son, a lad about ten years of age, six shillings to a we man who took care of his house, No. 5, Digby-place, Bethnal-green. The boy lost a shilling on his way home, and w,aen the prisoner returned in the evening, he was made acquainted with the circumstance - whereupon he inhumanly assaulted the prosecutor, striking him several severe, blows, with a heavy broom, on the head and body, wiaiell caused two severe wounds, from which the surgeon dreaded a concussion of the brain. The prisoner, in his defence, stated that at the time of the assault he was much intoxicated, and had no recollection of the occurrence.—He was found Guilty. John Thomson was indicted for burglariously entering the dwelling-house of Jane Adams, on the night of the 21st of November, with intent to steal therein ; and for stealing therefrom several articles of wearing apparel and bed covering. The prosecutrix resides, in George-street, St. Giles's Parish, and on the night named in the indictment her house was fastened on the inside, and the articles were safe in a boom Her daughter, Elizabeth Adams, subsequently observed the window-glass broken and the property stolen. The prisoner was immediately apprehended on the parapet of -the adjoining house with the property in bis possession. He was found Guilty.  Jo/zn IVebster was indicted for an assault on the person a Joseph Smith, thereby putting him in bodily fear ; and for stealing some money, a razor, and other articles, on the 17th of October last. _  The prosecutor, who resides iu Hertfordshire, was on his return home from London in the month of Octobearlaesiti: and called at the Duke of York public-house, Hnw where he asked to be accommodated with a bed ; but his request could not be complied with. The prisoner and another man, since convicted as an accomplice in the robbery, were then present, and said if Smith would accompany them, they would procure for him, what he required, as they were going the same way. He assented, and was taken across a field, when, on coming close to a haystack, two other men joined the party. He was thrown down on his back ; his pockets rifled of all the money in his Possession ; a shirt, a razor, two knives, four handkerchiefs, and other articles, taken from him. His greatcoat and boots were attrAnpted to be dragged off, and a threat held out, that if the prosecutor moved before morIling, the party woul‘,l return and murder him. Upon Smith's ,zress-examination, and in reply to questions from Air. Justice VAUGHAN, he gave very unsatisfactory r.nd contradictory evidence as to the identity of the Pri'..ioner. Tb.e Jury, under the direction of the Court, found a verdict of Not Guilty.  On the opening