RESIDENT MAGISTRATE'S COURT

Thames Star, Volume X, Issue 3398, 12 November 1879, Page 2

RESIDENT MAGISTRATE'S COURT

THIS DAY.

(Before H. Kenrick, Esq., E.M.) DBUNKENNESS.

M. Conroy was charged with being drunk on Monday last. Defendant pleaded not guilty and was defended by Mr Brassey. Mr Kenny stated the case. He said the defendant had been given in charge of the police by Lieut. l)enby for using obscene language, but at Mr Denby's request he had altered the charge to drunkenness.

Constable Baldwin, sworn, deposed—l was on duty in Owen street on Monday afternoon lasi. I saw the defendant in the Volunteer Engineer uniform, standing near his company. Two officers were persuading hitn to fall into the ranks or go away. He was trying to get at a man in the band. When I came up Lieut. Denby gave him in charge for using obscene language. He was the worse of liquor. By Mr Brassey-—I am sure he wa3 the worse of liquor. George Denby, sworn, deposed—l am an officer of the Thames Engineer Volunteers. I saw the defendant on the afternoon of Monday last. He was very disorderly, and was trying to strike the big drummer. I do not know whether he was drunk or not. He appeared to be under the influence of liquor. I gave him in charge as the only means of stopping a fight. I have elvrays considered defendant to be one of the most orderly young men in the company. W. J. Barlow gave corroborative evidence.

Hii Worship held that the charge of drunkenness was not proved. Lieut. Den by was justified in giving defendant in charge, and Constable Baldwin in arresting him. The mistake was in altering the charge. ALLEGED LABCENY. The case of Edward Lambert for alleged larceny of Government documents was adjourned for a week. . : Court adjourned.