William John Belt (1826–1892) was an English barrister (courtroom lawyer) and antiquarian best known for his erratic behaviour in later life which was widely reported by popular newspapers for the amusement of their readers.

[3] Belt also joined a volunteer corps of Inns of Court troops that had been formed during the Crimean War, the 23rd Middlesex Rifles, also known as The Devil's Own.

[4] Bloomsbury's proximity to Inns of Court had made it a popular district for lawyers and their families to live since it was first laid out for housing in the 18th century, largely by Wriothesley Russell, 3rd Duke of Bedford.

His story, is that on 27 October he had enjoyed lunch at home with his wife, and during the walk to his office he had passed two young girls playing with a skipping rope.

Belt found a policeman nearby and pointed out the men, asking for protection and their names be taken, only to be accused by the constable of "being drunk and causing an obstruction".

Protesting, Belt was marched off to Hunter Street Police Station where he was held for three hours before a charge of being drunk and disorderly was made.

Belt gave his name, address and occupation (barrister) and appeared in court at Lambeth before the magistrate, Mr Chance, where he denied everything.

Medical evidence was heard which supported both his and the police's claim about his being inebriated that night, so it was left to the magistrate to decide the outcome.

Mr Chance was pretty clear an assault had taken place, and sure that the police were justified in trying to remove the barrister from a tricky situation where he might have been the victim of crime.

[8] In 1886 Belt was back in Bow Street Police Court, on the wrong side of the dock, charged with assault with a gun.

[15] Belt was always proud of his manor in Yorkshire, but by 1890 the family may have been in financial difficulties, because Bossall Hall was sold to Sir James Walker, 2nd Baronet of Sand Hutton.

He left the modest sum of £1,334, equivalent to £183,241 in 2023, and probate was granted to his elder sister Margaret Ann, wife of the Reverend Bury Capel.