The Haven Packet, Coronation Road, Bristol

James Flower, 20, and Edward Milkins, 30, were in having feloniously assaulted and beat, in danger of his life, John Tucker, and violently did steal a quantity of money and clothes from his person. — Mr, Dowdeswell appeared for the prosecution and Mr. Cooke for the defence.

John Tucker – on the 24th of January I was going down the Coronation-road, which leads from Bristol to Leigh Woods; there was another young man in company with me; we went into a public house on the road; I saw the prisoners there; I left between ten and eleven that night; I had a bundle with me; the prisoners had seen me pay for some drink; some time after I left the public-house the prisoner Flower overtook me, he said, “I am going your way. and will show you a short road.” He had not gone far before he said, “Your life or your money.” and knocked me down; I got up and cried murder, and put my hand into my pocket and gave him four-pence; he said, “that is not all you have got,” and put his hand in my pocket and took out five half-crowns, a shilling, and a six-penny piece; during this transaction Milkins came up; he did not say anything, nor did he assist Flower; after Flower had taken away my money, Milkins took my bundle, and they both walked away; Milkins took off my shoes, but after looking at them he threw them down again; I then returned to the public-house, and a policeman was sent for.

Cross -examined by Mr. Cooke   It was in a dark place where this occurred; when I cried out “murder,” Flower had hold of me by the throat, and Milkins was walking about twenty yards away; I had never seen the prisoners before that time; Milkins came so near to me as a yard when he was walking up and down; it was in a little road place where this occurred.

By the prisoner-I had 15s when I left home: I was not fighting with anyone.

Moses Evans-I keep the Haven Packet public-house, near Bristol; I recollect Tucker coming to my house in January and having some beer with the prisoners; he left about half-past ten; he was partially drunk and had a bundle with him; the prisoners left about five minutes after Tucker; about a quarter past 11. Tucker came back and told me he had been robbed; there was plenty of blood about his person.

Four of the Bristol policemen proved the finding of various articles of dress at Milkins’s lodgings; and also seeing him come from the direction of the robbery, on the morning of the 25th of Jan; he was in bed with his clothes on; on taking him to the station he ran away; I searched him and found 8d. in his pocket. On taking him before the magistrates at Bristol, his mother said to him, “Oh! Jim, you will break my heart” Flower said “It will break my own heart, but I should not have done it, had it not been for him,” pointing to Milkins. Milkins made no reply. There had been a great struggle.

Thomas Hyles -I was at the Haven Packet on the night of the robbery and saw the prisoners there. After Tucker, went out, Milkins came and asked me if I would go and rob Tucker; I refused, and he then he went and walked with Flower; Milkins asked me a second time to go, but as I refused, Milkins and Flower went away together. They wished me a “good night,” and went away; they then left and went out on the Coronation- road; I followed them and saw them go down the road.

John Frederick Williams I am the magistrate’s clerk at Bristol; the prisoners made some observations which were not taken down in writing; Flower said” fourpence was all we took from him.” Milkins made no remark. After the second day’s examination, and when the whole of the evidence had been taken down, Flower was called upon for his defence, which was taken down in writing. The statement of Flower was— If I not been drunk, I should not have done it.” Milkins stated that on his going home, he kicked something which, on his picking up, found to be a bundle; he took it home, and it contained the articles which the policeman had taken.

Tucker looked at the articles and identified them as his property. -The jury found both the prisoners guilty, and they were sentenced to seven years transportation.

Edward Bragg and Charles Bragg were charged with assaulting James Backhouse, at Bristol, and stealing a sum of money from his person, on the 30th of November.

Mr. Somerset prosecuted; Mr Powell defended the prisoner Rowland; Bragg was undefended.

The prosecutor, a carpenter of Somersetshire, having arrived at Bristol in search of work, was, on the day in question, at the Spotted Cow public-house, Bedminster, at about two o’clock in the afternoon, and remained drinking in the house with one of the prisoners until five o’clock, they were joined by the other prisoner. They sat drinking for some time, when the prosecutor set out to go to his lodgings at Brown’s-row; but being a stranger in Bristol, the prisoners offered to show him the way; but instead of taking him towards Bristol, took him about half a mile in the opposite direction. On arriving at a wicket gate, they told him that was his way. He had no sooner passed the gate than he was knocked down; he got up and ran off, but was overtaken by the prisoners and knocked down, and his pockets rifled of 6s. 6d. One of the prisoners then said, “Let us cut his throat,” when the prosecutor cried “Murder,” and begged for mercy The prisoners, after giving him a parting kick, left him, and he afterwards his way to the Haven Packet beer-house.

The prisoners were found guilty and sentenced to 12 months’ imprisonment.