The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1860-07-24 00:00:00

of Wilts; Superintendents Foley, Abbot, Word.
and Summers were also in attendance.
From II o'clock till about halt post 3 the inquiry
was conducted with closed doors, but Mr. Inspecter
Wlticlier appeared, having bliss Constance Kent, a
half sister of the Iltieemeed child, in muitody. The
occulted walked with a linn step f her Either's
bowie to the boll, but waa in tears. She was acceek.
modated with a twat in front of the magistrates*
taide, Mr. Inspector Whicher taking up his station
on one side of her, and 11r. Superintendent Woolf
nit the other. She sat with her eyes fixed On the
out.l throughout the inquiry. The ball rapidly
illicit with inhabitants of Road and the neighbour.
hood as the intelligence became known that Mae
ConstatiCe Kent bad been apprehended.
Mr. I ndlow (addressing the priwine4.—Your moo
is Constance Kent, I believe?
Prisoner (in a faint voice).—Yes.
Mr. Clark, clerk to the magistrates.—l will read to
yott the information of Jonathan Whicher, the inspector
deteetive police of the metropolis, who has taken you
into custody, awl this is the charge be hu made nailed;
I have been engaged since Sunday last in in.
vestigating the circumstances copuecte4l with the nie,
der of Francis &nettle Kent., which took place on tho
flied of Friday, the 21/th of June last, at the house of
his father situate at Road. in the county of Wilts. From
my examination of the premises the Beene of the murder,
aml from ummries and information received, I hare
to t,,it the saki murder was perpetrated
by en inmate of the house, and I suspect that Mies Con-
stance Kent is implieated in the crime, and I pray for
a warrant to oho...timid her."
Mr. That is the infonoation upon which
you have Is rim ~pprelexided, end we 311311 now proceed
to take evidence.
Elizabeth C, ugh was then ',worn, and deposed.— an
titirpeitiohl in the service of Mr. Kent. I recollect tho
211 I, of June hpt. I bad charge of the deceased child,
and pet him to tel 34 usual shout g u'elm k. I saw
sleeping in his cot with his face towards the wall a little
after 11. I then r. tired to rest as usual. Mrs. &at,
came up about half en hi. or after, tool shut the door
when A.. tell. 1 the child the following ening
about ,M,-k. I did not wake till that time after I
weitt to sleep. Tin. little girl was lying uncovered, and
I got up I loeke-1 aCII,-S. :del sew the little boy WU
gene. I lay down again, and at six fitl..ck I went to
Mrs. Knit' room. and kit. led there, but got 110 answer.
I au:roma,. went to Mr.. limit's room o CORM time at
about quarter past 7. lii the interval I bad got the
w:xer for the second child, and Ito I dreese.l ber. Mrs.
Kent was then in the dressin..-room. 1 toad
it.• los., to it-c, and ofterwenrs sot the child 1,,,,e0te
into the 100t5... Ile was then quite dead.
Viiliauii Nit swont.—l am sl‘...ll.ker, residing at
Road-hill. Du the 1111 l ming of the 30th .4 June a man
rolled awl told mite that Mr. Kent had lost his child. I
went out and saw Mr. Kent going to Trowbridge. I
then went to the 111.11s0 with • 111311 11311:13d Bearer.
We came to the bottom of the plantation, and I said
we would look for a dead child if the living one was
not found. We went to the closet, and to our horror
saw a pool of blood on the floor. I said, " Oh, Its tiger,
it is as I ;Irvin:tea." I then went to the house, and
asked for a candle
and when I had got it and returned
to !Ginger, lie toil. " Here is the dear little thing."
He took out the child and a blanket, and took them
into the house. The child's throat was cut to our
horror and amazement then, as it is now ; when it
was lifted up its little heed fell 44 almost. The body
woo talon into the kitchen. Miss Kent and Miss
Elizabeth Kent C 31113 into the room. I can't describe
their horror. I and the constable went round the
premisee, but could discern nothing more. The ter-
vents and neighbours also came in and saw the child.
That is all I know.
Inspector Whicher sworn.— I am an inspector of
detectives. I have lwen engaged since Sunday last in
investigating the circumstances cotinected with tb•
murder of Finmeis Saville Kent, which took place oaths
night of Friday, the 20tli of June last, at the house of
Ids father, situate at Road, in the county of Wilts. In
patty with Captain Meredith, Mr. Superintendent
Foley, and other members the police force, I have
made an examination of the premises:, and believe that
the murder was committed hy some to of the house.
many inquiries that I have made, and from
informat. received, I sent for Constance Kent on
Monday last to her bed room, having previously ex.
omitted her drawers and b I a list of her linen which
I now produce, in which were enumerated, among other
things, three night dresses art 11C11.14:111F to her. I said
to her, "Is this a list of your linen?' She replied,
1 11l Whose writing it it ?" She said,
"It is my own writing." I said, " Here are three
night dresses ; where arc thy?' She said, " I have
tao ; the other was lost at the wash the week after the
munlet." She then brought me the two which I now
produce. I also saw a night dress and cap
on her bed, 311.1 10.1011 whose they were. She said,
" They are my sister's." Tile two she brought use had
been worn. This afternoon I *gain proceeded to the
Mops, awl sent for the prisoner into the dining-room. I
said, .• I sit, a polie.• ottimr. soul I hold a warrant for
yaur apprehension, charging you with the murder uf your
Itrether Francis Saville Kent, which I will read to you."
I then n :el the warrant to her, and she commenced crying,
and said." I 11111 i ttttt Kent!" which she repeated several
finds. I then itecompanied her to her beelnami, where
she put ..11 her bonnet and and brought her to this
place. She prole no further remark to me. I now ask
for a remand for a few days, and on the next occasion I
believe I AAR be able to show the animus which existed
Is-tweet, the primner and the deceased. and to search
for the miwing nightgown, which, if in existence, may
possibly be found. To Wednesday or Thursday neat I
think will be ample time.
After 3..1111. further consultation the prisoner IMO
remanded ti'l Friday nest, and was removed to Devizes
ciitol in custody of Inspector Whicher and Superinten-
dent Woulfe.