The Sun. — 1856-01-25 (London, England)

RING ROBBERY AND ATTEMPTED MURDER IZV LIVERPOOL.  LIVERPOOL, THURSDAY. A very desperate and extraordinary attempt at murder was made this morning at the establishment of Mr. Durandu, bullion broker, South Castle-street. About 10 a.m. a couple of young men, named Robert and Henry Eyre, brothers, were seen hovering about the premises of Mr. Durandu, about which hour the confidential clerk, named Win. Hughes, went to fetch the cashbox from Mr. Hornby's, jeweller, in the same street, leaving a lad named Stoddard in charge of the shop. The fellows entered the shop, asked if the master was in, and before the lad could give them an answer, the villains struck the youth on the head with a weapon, and dragged him senseless into an inner room. They then waited for the return of the clerk with the cash-box, which contained from 1,4001. to 1,5001. Upon his entering, the ruffians attacked him with a poker which they found in the fireplace, and struck him on the head and over the body—the poker and a life-preserver having been found broken in the shop. The cries of murder having attracted some of the neighbours, they rushed in and secured the assassins, and sent them to Bridewell. William Hughes is dangerously wounded and not likely to recover, and the lad is also severely injured. The prisoners were brought before the magistrates at the police court at 1 p.m., on the charge of attempting to commit murder and robbery. The elder (Robert) is about 22 years of age, 5 feet 11 inches in stature, slender make, but well-looking ; and the younger (Henry) is 18 years old. 5 feet 7 inches high, and of respectable address ; but both were poorly clad. The first witness called was F. Stoddard, the youth assaulted in the shop. He said—l am office boy to Mr. Durandu, bullion merchant and money changer. About a q tarter pa--t ten 'o'clock this morning the prisoner R ,pert E ere entered the shop, where I was at the time alone, and inquired if the master was within. Before I had power to give him an answer the prisoner struck me a blow on the head with a life-preserver, which knocked me dawn and rendered me insensible. On recovering a little, I found that the shorter prisoner had hold ( f my throat. He said that if I spoke it would be the worse for me ; while the other prisoner said if I uttered a word he would shoot me. Just at the moment Wm. Hughes, the clerk, came in with the cash-box, when the prisoners instantly struck at him with a life-preserver and a poker, which was by the side of the grate. They knocked him down, and continued to strike him. I heard the blows, and saw the blood fly from Hughes. Assistance then , ame.  Benjamin Levi am assistant to Mr. Joseph, jeweller, South Castle-street. Shortly after 10 a.m. I observed young Hughes pass our door with the cash-box in his hand. Almost immediately afterwards I heard a noise in Mr. Dura.ndu'a shop, and I thought the young men were skylarking.. t last I heard a struggle and a cry of murder. I ran into the shop, and found Hughes weltering in his blood. I assisted to secure the prisoners. Police officer, 403, who accompanied Hughes to the Northern Hospital, said that the medical men of that establishment who examined Hughes, said it was their opinion that the injuries received would in all probability prove fatal. In answer to a question from the magistrate, Mr. Maxwell, the elder prisoner said—l have been a clerk, but latterly I have worked about the docks when I could get anything to do. But lately I could not get work to do, and we were all but starving. My brother did the same as myself for a living, but like myself could not obtain work, and was well nigh starving. The prisoners were remanded for seven days. The accused are natives of Liverpool, and about 18 months since their father, who was engaged in this town in the mercantline line, by some means got possession of a 5001. hank post bill that had been forwarded by a firm in Liverpool to a house in Glasgow. A few days after receiving it the father presented it at the counter of Messrs. Barned's bank in Lord-street, and requested it to be cashed ; but was declined until a reference should be given. He afterwards obtained the money, but was arrested in a short time with about 4001. upon him, tried at Liverpool assizes, and sentenced to six years' penal servitude.  Sporting Intelligence.