EXCITING SCENE IN A POLICE COURT.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume VIII, Issue 2412, 29 September 1886, Page 2

EXCITING SCENE IN A POLICE COURT.

A sensational scene was witnessed in the Bishop's Stortford Police • court recently. A tramp named Charles Collins was charged with disorderly behaviour in the workhouse tho night before. Tho Superintendent of Poltco said lie thought the man was mad, as he behaved very strangely at the station, and tore up two suits of clothes, Jußt aa he was about to be handcuffed to bo taken down to the court, he tore up a third suit. Soon after being brought into court, Collins threw .himself on the floor, but was forced to atiuid. From the evidence it seemed that the night before the prisoner came to the workhouse with a woman with whoin lm lived. They wore admitted, and soon afterwardu Cellins violently assaulted the woman. He had jumped out of a bath through a window to get to her, and her loud shrioks brought the porter to the reacuo. With difficulty tho man was pulled away, and then tho police were sent for, and he was given into custody. The magistrate said he should remand hnn to tho Petty Sessions, whereon the prisoner Baid defiantly, "I will be a corpßo beforo morning." No soonor had he said this than he dashed his head against the wall of the court. Ho was immediately seized by several constables and again handcuffed, protesting loudly that lie would dash hia brains out. Ab he said he did not like the euffe. Mr Innes said if he went quietly, ho should have them oft'. The prisoner said ho would, and Sergeant Shimmerling was about tojrelease his natid when Uollinß dashed away and struck hi.) head with fearful forco against tho marble shelf over the fire-place. Tho magistrate shouted to tho police to secure the man, and amid intenso excitement thoy carried- him out of court. Tho magistrate ordoved a medioal man to Bee him, aud said every precaution must bo taken with him, aa he wag satisfied Collins would take liii life if he had tho chance. Collins it known aa a desperate fellow, and ia said to be wanted for assaulting on fcheihighp^j'i,