Police

HAMMERSMITH. - Yesterday John Prattley, a chubby-faced boy, 9 year of age, appeared before Mr. BEADON, the sitting magistrate, to answer a summons under the Police Act, charging him with having thrown stones in a public thoroughfare, to the common danger of the passengers.

Harriett Prattley, his mother, a good-looking labouring woman, also appeared to a summons under the Special Constables Act, charging her with having rescued her son from the custody of Sir James South, and assaulting him while in the execution of his duty as a special constable, whereby she had rendered herself liable to a penalty of 20l., or six months' imprisonment. The summonses were issued by the direction of the Commissioners of Metropolitan Police at the instance of Sir J. South.

Sir J. South having been sworn said, - On Saturday the 10th inst., I was walking to town, intending to take a cab at Black Lion-lane, Bayswater, having to be at the Royal Exchange to transact some business of importance which required to be done as the clock points on 1 o'clock, I was therefore, particular as to the time, and saw that it was exactly eight minutes past 12 o'clock when, as I was passing along High-street, Notting-hill, I saw the boy throw three or four stones at a troop of the Royal Horse Guards (blue), who were passing along the road from Windsor to town. When I saw the last stone thrown I took hold of the boy by the collar with the intention of handing him over to a police man, but one could not be found. Seeing, however, that a number of persons were collecting round, I took the boy into the shop of a person of the name of Gray, who, being a shopkeeper, was supposed to be a responsible man. I took the boy into the shop by the arm, and said to the man, telling him I was a special constable, "Will you have the kindness to aid me in the Queen's name?" The man said he would not. I then asked him if he would then take charge of the boy while I went out and procured a police-constable? But he said he would not. I saw a small room behind the shop, and I thought he might put the boy in there for security. The shop was by that time filled with people, who were all calling out for me to let the boy go. After some time, a woman, who I suppose was the baker's wife, a strong masculine woman, came into the shop and said, the mother of the boy had better be sent for. All this time the baker stood looking on with a great complacency, and seemed to feel great pleasure at my situation. In a few minutes the mother arrived and flew at me like a tigress. She tried to bite me and did bite me, as I can prove. This went on, and I saw two or three of the baker's men come out of the bakehouse, and I thought they would interfere; but they did not. The boy was then got away from me, and a cry of victory was raised by the crowd outside as the boy was brought out, and the door was shut. I asked to be let out, but was answered, "You would not think of going out, you old fool? You'll be torn in pieces." I had been, however, so pulled about that every bone of me ached, and I expected every moment that the new English mode would be adopted towards me, and that I should be stabbed if I did not get away.

Mr. BEADON here interrupted Sir James, by saying, that he would be happy to listen to his evidence at any length, but he considered he was now speaking from imagination and not from fact, which he (Mr. Beadon) could not but think most improper, as it was putting into people's minds thoughts which might not otherwise enter into them.

Sir J. South. - When I got out I was received with a yell that would only have done credit to a body of savages. That was exactly 17 minutes past 12 o'clock. I got to the Black Lion at 22 minutes past 12 o'clock, and there found a policeman standing talking. I told him that whenever I wanted a policeman there never was one to be found, and that when I did find him he was standing gossiping while I might have been murdered, and that I was then going to the Commissioners' office in Scotland-yard. I did go there and saw Colonel Rowan, and although it was the Saturday before the Monday on which the greatest meetings were to be held, and he was exceedingly busy, he paid every attention to my complaint. That, Sir, is my evidence.

Mr. BEADON then called upon the defendants for their answers to the charges placed against them.

The boy denied that he had thrown stones, and said it was only some pieces of dirt.

The mother said, several persons told her, as she was going to the shop, that a gentleman was ill using her boy, and she might have taken him away roughly, for she was very much excited. She, however, denied having bitten Sir J. South.

Mr. BEADON said, he should fine the boy 1s. and costs for throwing the stones. As to the mother, she had committed an assault on Sir J. South, for which he should fine her 2s 6d. and costs, or three days' imprisonment.

The money was paid.

The case excited much amusement in a crowded court.