The Sun.
London, England, 1863-07-20 00:00:00

MARLBOROUGH-STREET.

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KICKING A WIFE DOWN A. FLIGHT OF STAIRS—COM-
MITTAL FOR TRlAL.—Thornas Behan, a tall powerful-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.
Tho 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,
having been drinking. Be was let in by my daughter, 11
years of age, and then began calling her all manner of bad
names, and pulled me by my hair. My child said, "Father,
for my sake don't kill my mother, and when the shops are
open I will get you something to eat." He had been look-
ing 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
got up early and went about my work, being a laundress
On corning back from Brompton I heard that he had got up
and gone out, and he returned about 7 in the evening nearly
drunk, bringing some victuals with him. My child came to
speak to me, and he called out to her "why do you speak
to that —." Ho afterwards sat down, and as he
had a knife and fork in his hand, and I was afraid
he would hurt the child, I sent her downstairs. I then
went on to the third step of the stairs, intending to descend
them, when my husband followed me, and put his foot on
the skirt of my dress, and on my turning round he lifted up
his fcot and deliberately kicked me down the stairs-14 in
number—and I fell to the bottom, and he never attempted
to pick me up. I could not speak a word and could not
move. Two doctors were sent for, and I was afterwards
taken to the Charing-Cross Hospital in a cab. The doctor
said 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 "fake that." All my injuries are on

my head.
Mr. Tyrwhitt —ls it the first tina, 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. I saw some black bruises
on the back of Mrs. Bohan's neck, and her arm is swollen.
Michael Brosnan, 185 C, said—l found the complainant
lying on the floor, and she could not speak fcr some time,
and when she did she said prisoner had kicked her down
stairs. The prisoner, who was sitting in his room, said his
wife had fallen down.

Mr. Tyrwhitt—He was not doing anything to assist her ?
Brosnan—No, sir, he had been drinking.
In answer to the charge, prisoner said he had quarrelled
with his wite, and that she 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