The Sun. — 1864-01-29 (London, England)

WESTMINSTER.  DESPERATE CHARGE OF WOUNDlNG.—Benjamin Powel and Thomas Muckford, the former of whom is a very powerful man, were charged with feloniously assaulting and wounding James Jordan and David Jordan with a poker and fire tongs.  James Jordan, who presented a frightful appearance from the blood about his face and person, said—l went with my brother to 68, Arthur-street, Chelsea, last evening to see my sister and her husband, Maddegan, who lodge there.  We left their room, and were coming down-stairs to go out, when Powel came into the passage and stood before us. He came out of the landlady's room. My brother thought he was a policeman, and asked him if he was not. Powel said nothing, but struck him on the head with a pair of tongs, and he fell on the ground. I went to my brother's assistance, and held myself o'er his body to protect him. While I was doing so Muckford struck me three blows on the head, across the crown of the head, one after another with a poker. William Muckford, brother of Thomas, who was also there, then said "let me have the poker, you don't know how to use it," and he then took the poker and knocked me across the head until I was insensible.  Mr. Selfe—Did you strike either of them ? Prosecutor—Not a blow. Mr. Selfe—What was the cause of this ? Prosecutor—There was no cause at all. Mr. Selfe—Were you and your brother sober. Prosecutor—Perfectly. Mr. Selfe—Do you know the defendants ? Prosecutor—l never saw them before. lam very much injured, I am bruised all over.  Some further questions were being put to prosecutor, when he became very faint, and could not proceed until he was seated, and some water was procured. Nothing material was elicited.  It was now explained that the probable cause of the disturbance was, that David Jordan and his brother-in-law, Maddegan, were summoned to the court yesterday by William Muckford, the prisoner's brother, for using threatening language, when they were required to enter into their own recognizances to keep the peace. David Jordan, who was wounded on the head, Patrick Maddegan, Ellen Street, and another witness, were called, whose evidence supported the account given by the prosecutor.  Two police-constables were called and proved that they were fetched by Muckford's brother, and when they got into the house they found a struggle going on, and had the defendants given in charge. The Jordans were both bleeding copiously from their wounds. In defence it was stated that Powel knew nothing of either of the parties, but hearing cries of " murder" went into the house to interfere, when he found himself charged with an assault, although he had never had any poker or instrument of any kind in his hand. The other prisoner it was stated went to see his brother, who lodged at 68, Arthur-street, and finding the Jordans and Maddegan fighting with one another, one brandishing an iron bar, in the passage, he went into the parlour for safety and fastened it, when an attack was made upon the door, and Jordan and Maddegan fell upon Muckford. The wounds borne by the Jordans were inflicted by their own friends.  The landlady of the house confirmed this account in part, clearly exonerating Powel. She said Maddegan struck the prisoner Muckford with the iron bar, and one of the others had something in his hand. On their way from this court yesterday the Jordans and Maddegan insulted the other parties who had appeared against them. The landlady declared the prosecutors were under the influence of liquor, but the police proved that they were not. Another witness said Mrs. Maddegan, who is far advanced in pregnancy and very ill, broke the parlour door open and throw water upon her. The case was proceeding, without any probability of coming to an early close, when our account left.