The Express.
London, England, 1860-04-14 00:00:00

THE POLICE COURTS.

MANSION HOUSE

iforgaret Qwll, 11, was charged with begeirg, and
Catherisie Quill, her mother, with neglecting to provide for
her. _ . .

Istberine Quill is an Irishwoman, who, according to her
own account, has resided in London for 16 yaws, arid about
three years ago wen deserted by her husband, and who, ever
since, according to the amount of others, has subsisted upon
the earnings of her four children (the girl now charged
being the adest) whom she systematically sent into the
streets to beg. 21me after time they were sent home by the
police, or conveyed to the union • but the mother as regu-
larly Bent them out again— alto demanding them authori-
tatively if seat into the union—until it was judged advi-
sable, for the protection of the children themselves, to take
them into custody, and deal with them as vagrants.
In this way they had all appeared at various times
at the bar of this court, sometimes together,
sometimes separately, the two younger ones being again sent
to the union as the result, while the two elder ones were
sentenced to terms of impriaoumeot ranging from 21 days
to two months, and so the girl now charged had been already
convicted no fewer than 14 times. The 14th conviction
took place about three weeks ago, and on that occasion the
mother was summoned, and voluntarily bound herself,
under the Industrial Schools Act, 18117, to provide fur her
daughter, Margaret Quill„for 12 months from that time,
rendering herself liable to a penalty of 405., with one
month's imprisonment in default, in the event of the erl
being again found comntitting an act of vagrancy in the City
within the year. In leas than • week, however, Margaret
Quill was again apprehended for begging, in consequence
o( which a warrant was issued for the apprehension of the
mother. With a good deal of trouble the police traced her to
• low lodging-house, where, with her throe younger children,
she occupied a mom, the sole furniture of which was an old
bed on the floor and a single chair ; and while the children
were once more conveyed to the union she was brought to
this court, and charged with neglecting to provide for her
child Margaret, according to the terms of her voluntary de.
claration. . _ .

Theta lied been an intention of sending the girl to a re-
formatory for fire years ; but as the power of the court to
do so appeared to be doubtful, on a strict construction of
the act, she was again remitted to the workhouse, while
her mother was filled 405.. and in default of payment
ordered to be imprisoned for one month.
GUILDHALL.
_ _

IlegA Breit'', a primmer in the debtors' prison in
Whitecroes-street, was brought up before Alderman
Humphery on a habeas, charged, awarding to the terms of
the warrant, with having feloniously forged and uttered •
certain request for tbedelivvry of pods, to wit—divers large
quantities of coal, mime 1101., the goods of George Munro
Kerr and others, with intent to defraud them of the risme.
The prisoner, who reserved his defence, was couithitted
for trial.

WORSHIP-RTREET.
John Collins, 24, • slim) domed person, was charged
before Mr. li'Eynoourt with cutting and wounding Elisa-
beth Green, residing with her parents in New York-street
Bethnal-green.
Mr. Beard defended the prisoner, who listened to the
evileace with attention, but made no observation during
the proceedings or at their termination.
A young woman seined Bence, living near the injured
girl, stated—Last evening, about 5 o'clock, the prisoner
came to our house in a very excited condition, and called
out, " Where is Lissy ? I want to see Lissy." I knew
that be meant • friend of mine, named Elizabeth Green,
who had been with me a short time before. I told him
that she was not in the house, and at that moment ob-
served something glitter in his right hand. I observed to
my mother that I thought he had a knife there and I
caught bold of his arm. We took from his hand this knife,
which was open. (A most formidable weapon was here pro-
duoed, via., a spring clasp knife, quite new, and more than •
foot in length.) He did not resist our taking the knife away,
and thinking it would be better for him to see Elizabeth, I
promised that he should if he would calm himself. I pro-
ceeded to the house where she was, and observed him follow-
ing. She was unwilling to see him, but I told her I thought
be would not harm her, and she joined hint in the street,
They went away together. She left him, then returned, and
I saw him strike her on the head with something two or
three times. He dropped a knife and ram away. She was
taken to a surgeon's, and thence home.
Cross-examined by Mr. Beard--k know the prisoner. He
is • boz.maker, and lives in eoventry-street. Bethnal-green.
He had kept company with Elizabeth Green, 1 believe for
more than two years. He alwaysuppeered very foud of her.
When be came to me as I have mentioned, hewing not sober.
I believe that the young woman he stabbed is going to
marry another you( man.
Inspector Armstrong, H division, produced • second clasp
knife, about nine mobsa in length, and stained with blued,
which he said was picked up by a butcher near the spot in
question. The inspector added :—.When the prisoner was
at the statiou.houae, be admitted having stabbed the young
woman,which act, hesaid, was induces! by jealousy.
/r. ,lames Esimonds, of Spitalaquate, examined—l was
called to attend in this ease, and found • wound one inch
and a half iu length on the top of the girl's heed ; this or
same such weapon would have
the
it. Had the blow
fallen on • thinner portion of the minium, it would most
probably have been attended with • diliereat effect ; sa it is
she is not iu danger.
The father of the girl was in attendance bat could only
*sok to her having been brought home jter the wound
was dressed.
. . . .

Yr. Bawl rid that u the injured woos was not pre-
ssed he could Dot uk the worthy magistrate to deal with
Heusi, and Mr. IYEyncourt finally ortleral the prisoner
te be reseanned, and a summom to issue for the attendance
ei Main& Urea.