The Sun.
London, England, 1863-07-18 00:00:00

MARLBOROUGH. STREE T.

KICKING A WIFE DOWN A FLIGHT OF STAIRS—COM-
➢rITTAL FOR TRlAL.—Thomas Behan, a tall powertul-built
man, residing at 25, Whitcombe-street, St. Martin's, was
charged before Mr. Tyrwhitt with violently assaulting his
wife, Anne, by kicking her down a flight of stairs.
The complainant, a very stout female, who seemed to
suffer a great deal, and gave her evidence sitting, said—On
Saturday morning my husband came home about 4 o'clock,
towing been drinking. lie was let in by my daughter, 11
years of age, and then began calling her all nvinner of bad
nom a, and pulled me by my hair. My child ,aid, "Father,
or my sake don't kill my mother, and when the shops are
,pen I will get you something to eat." He had been look •
tog in the room for something to eat, but he has given me
no money for my support, neither has he paid the rent for
12 years. He then went to bed, having been drinking. I
40t up early and went about my work, being a laundress
On coning back from Brompton I heard that he had got up
‘nd gone out, and he returned about. 7in the evening nearly
,irunk, bringing some victuals with him. My child came to
speak to me, and he tatted out to her " why do you speak
to that —." He afterwards sat down, and as he
toad a knife and fork in his hand, and I was afraid
ne would hurt the child, I sent her downstairs, I then
went on to the third step of the stairs, intending to descend
'hem, when my husband followed me, and put his foot on
he skirt or my dress, and on my turning round he lifted up
scot and deliberately kicked .me down the stairs-14 in
number—and I fell to the bottom, and he never attcnipttd
to pick me up. I could nut speak a word and could not
,hove. Two doctors were sent for, and I was afterwards
'atcen to the Charing-Cross Hospital in a cab. The doctor
‘aid I had no bones broken, but I believe something in my
head is broken—it was very bad.

Mr. Tyrwhitt—Did he kick you on purpose ?
Complainant—Oh yes. He gnashed his teeth, and said
when he kicked me "Take that." All my injuries are cn
my head.
Mr. Tyrwhitt—ls it the first time you have had to com-
plain of him.
Complainant—Oh no.
Prisoner—Did I kick you off the stairs.
Complainant—Yes, and you said you would tear my liver
out too.

Ellen Lowe, a married woman living in the same house,
said—l heard a noise and the prisoner say " Take that." I
heard Mrs. Behan scream, and afterwards found her lying
at the bottom of the stairs. The stairs are very steep, nar-
row, and dangerous. Her head was on the floor and her
legs up three stairs. I then sent for a constable, nor being
able to raise Mrs. Behan myself. 1 saw some black bruises
on the back of Mrs. Behan's neck, and her arm is swollen.
Michael Brosnan, 185 C, said—l found the complainant

lying on the flour, and she could not speak fcr some time,
and when she did she said prisoner had kicked her dowli
stairs. The prisoner, who was sitting in his room, said his
wife had fallen down.

Mr. Tyrkhat—lte was not doing anything to assist her?
Brosnan—No, sir, he had been drinking.
In answer to tho charge, prisoner said he had. quarrelled
with his wile, and that ehe fell down the stairs.
Mr. Tyrwhitt—l believe you did kick her down. It is a
moat brutal thing altogether and very fortunate for you