The Express.
London, England, 1852-08-20 00:00:00

MURDER OF A CHILD, AND ATTEMPTED

MURDER OP TWO WOMEN.

TMUILIDAY.
Sheffield is again the acetic of one of those horri-
fying murders which startle a whole country. An illegiti-
mate child, nearly two years old, has bad its bead cut off
by its father, who also attempted to murder its mother
and another young woman. Tho man's name is Alfred
Waddingtou, a grinder, residing in Lord 'street, Park,
Sheffield. lie is about 20years of age, the emaciate of
notoriously bad characters, and he has been tried for high-
way rubbery. The murdered child was called Elisabeth
Sir er, the daughter of Sarah Slater' of Brown-street, Park,
and was about a year and nine months old. Oa Monday,
the mother took out • summons (which was to have
been heard to-day) against Waddington, for neglecting
to maintain the child. lie saw her in the street on
Wednesday. and he swore he would never pay another
farthing towards the child. On Wednesday evening it was
left in the care of a little girl called Barlow' while the
mother went to attend the female's evening class at the
Mechanics' Institution. About half past 8 Waddington
appeared at the dour of the class-room, and called out,
Sarah Slater, you're wanted!" She went out to him, and
he asked " What have lon dune with the child?" She
told hint and he then said, " You must go with ins; it has
fallen off • wall, and has broken its neck." She imme-
diately ran out of the room with him. On arriving in
Sylvester-lane, he said she need not trouble herself, fur ho
had murdered the child. He pulled out a large clasp-knife
and he said, " Here's some of its blood." The monster then
fiercely attacked her, and attempted to cut her throat.
She guarded her neck with her hand", which were shock-
ingly lacerated ; and a little boy who saw the struggle,
called out "Murder." Waddington then ran up Earle-
street, and the poor woman was taken home. Ile ass
shortly afterwards met by a young woman called Sarah
Dobson, who resides in Duke-lane, Sheffield-moor, • com-
panion of the young woman Slater. Having heard rumours
of the murder and the attack upon Slater, the young woman
asked him what he had done with her and his child. Ile at
once, without auwering the interrogatory, fiercely
attacked her with his knife, and wounded her
severely about the face. Her violet screams caused
him to run away. About two o'clock this morning,
however, he gave himself up to a night watchman, and at
the Town-ball he described the exact place where the mur-
dered child might be found. He said he took it from the
little girl Barlow' carried it into Catter's-wood, Heeley,
near Shefileld, and there cut its head off. At daylight this
morning two policemen went to the place mentioned, and
there found the body of the child. Ita head was lying se-
veral feet from its body. The prisoner was brought up at
the Town-hall to-day at noon.
Mr. Raynor, chiefconeteble, having stated the charge, said
the case would be fully investigated by the coroner.
The Mayor (to the prisoner)—ls it your wish to go before
tho coroner's inquest? or would you rather not go ?—The
prisoner said he would go before the coroner.
The prisoner, who was in his shirt sleeve', on being
placed in the dock looked round on the spectators with
great unconcern. When Mr. Raynor mentioned the charge
ho firmness for a moment forsook him, and he covered his
face with his hands.