The Sun. — 1859-12-28 (London, England)

NIGHT SPORTS. James Clyde, a fly man, living at Chiswick, was placd in the dock before Mr. Ingham, charged with going drunk and incapable of taking care of a horse and brougham. There was also a second charge against him with causing serious damage to a horse and cab, the property of Mr. George Pummell, a cab proprietor, of Kensington. Frederick Mayhew, a driver in the service of Mr. Panunr4l, stated that on Monday night ho was driving home Mr. and Mrs. Lawrenco, of Highstreet, Kensington, along the Hammersmithbridge-road, Barnes, from Mortlake, when the prisoner came in a contrary direction with a horse and brougham, and drove against him. Witness was on his right side.  Mr Inghain—At what rate was the prisoner driving ? . _  Witness—About six miles an hour, your worship. He was asleep on the box. Mr. In 0 ,-,ham—Well, what rate were you driving?  ot more than three miles an hour.  Mr. Ingham—Then you were crawling. How was it that you did not Ty!ll up; was it because your horse was, so spirited'?—(Laughter.) Witness—l was afraid. I nearly tumbled off the box from fright. (Excessive laughter.) I first saw him coming about four yards off, and I then called to him, but he did not hear me, as he was asleep. Mr. Ingham—What damage was done ? Witness—One of the shafts was broken, and the wheel of the brougham cut the horse. Mr. Ingham—Did the shock wake him P Witness—No, sir. (Laughter.) Mr. Ingham—Well, what became of him; how was he stopped ? Witness—He stuck fast, Mr. Ingham—Well, did that wake him ? Witness—No, your worship. (Roars of laughter.) Mr. Ingham—What did ?  Witness—l called him, and when he awoke he said, " There's nothing done, go on." I tried to assist him to put his horse right and I then found that I could not, as the harness was broken. He then commenced swearing at me. (Laughter.) He was drunk.  Mr. Pummell said his horse was very ranch cut about, and he did not know at present what the amount of the damages would be. Mr. Ingham thought lie had better sue the master for the damages, and not proceed against the prisoner on that charge. The owner having acquiesced, the prisoner was Galled upon to answer the charge of carzless driving, and he said that he was very sorry, and it was the first time anything of the kind had ever happexed to him. He supposed that he had just dropped off to sleep at the time.  Mr. Ingham said he looked upon these cases as very serious, because men in charge of vehicles could not be too careful in driving through the public streets. He should fine the prisoner the full penalty of 405., or 21 days' imprisonment. . The prisoner was locked up in default. CURIOUS CHARGE or ATTEMPTED SUICIDE, -A young man, named Thomas Pearce, was chttrged with attempting to commit suicide. Police-constable 329 A said that on the previous night his attention was drawn to th© prisoner, who was standing on the railway near Clapham-common station. He asked him what he was doing there, and he answered that he intended to let a train run over him. Witness pulled him off the line and told him to go home and think better of it. He walked a little way, when he ran towards a pond called the " Black Sea," and attempted to jump in. Witness was just in time to prevent him, and he then took him into custody. The prisoner was drunk, and represented that he had attempted to destroy himself because his wife was living with another man. Subsequently he expressed his regret, and promised not to do it again. The prisoner strongly denied any intention of committing suicide. The constable said he was on the railway, and there was a train due within a minute of the time that he pulled him off. Taylor, the summoning officer, informed his worship that some 'time ago he held a warrant for the apprehension of the prisoner for deserting his wife, and he could never find him. Mr. Ingham said ho should remand the prisoner for a week.