The Sun.
London, England, 1863-01-26 00:00:00

MARLBOROUGH-STREET.

A CASE !'OR THE DIVORCE COURT—CRUELTY TO AWIFE
—Henry Wamersley, a sculptor, residing at 18, Howland-
street, Fitzroy-square, was charged before Mr. Tyrwhitt—
first, with being drunk and disorderly in front of the court
on Saturday afternoon ; and secondly, on a warrant with
threatening to take the life of his wife.
Mr. Beard appeared for the wife.

Jesse Trower, one of the warrant officers of the court, said
that on Saturday afternoon the prisoner came to the court
and tried to force his way into the passage. Seeing that he
was drunk he prevented his entering the Court, and as he
would not go away he caused him to be taken into custody.
In answer to the chief clerk, the officer said the prisoner
merely said that he wanted his wife, and be heard after he
was locked up, that he was summoned to the court on Sa-
turday afternoon.
Prisoner said he remembered nothing about it.
Mr. Tyrwhitt fined him ss. or seven days.
Mr. Beard then said that he appeared on bohalf of the
prisoner's wife to complain of his conduct, he, while hold-
ing a razor in his hand, having threatened to take her
life. Ihe woman had not come to the court till she had
been compelled to do so, fearing that the prisoner would
carry out his threats, and he (Mr. Beard) must therefore
ask that the prisoner might not be allowed to go at large
on his own recognisances, but be ordered to find such bail
as would protect his wife from his ill-usage.
Mrs. Jane Wamersley, a ladylike person, said she had
been married to the prisoner for eleven years, and he had
frequently ill .used her. On the evening of Wednesday last
he asked her for money, and she told him that she had none
and that he he had pledged all her clothes. He then said
that he mils' have money, and would have it. He had
threatened if she did not bring home from where she
was employed, her watch and chain, he would cut and burn
everything in the place, and then do for her. He had a
razor in his hand, and took up one of her boots and cut it to
show what he would do, and said that if he could not do
for her with the razor, he could in many other ways. Fear-
ing that he would carry out his threats, she rushed to the
window and opened it, and called " Murder I" and on some
of the persons in the house coming to her assistance he
threatened to smash their heads. On Friday morning he
went to where she was employed, and took away her watch
and chain.

Mr. Beard—And with the money he raised by pledging
them he got drunk on Saturday.
In answer to qnestions, Mrs. Warnersley said she worked
for her own living, and that the prisoner, who had latterly
taken to drinking, had had three or four appointments, but
would not work.

Prisoner asked his wife whether he ever struck her, and
she said that he had frequently pushed her about, and that
she fully expected he would kill her.
Mr. Beardall, mantle manufacturer of Tottenham-court-
road, the employer of the wife, proved that prisoner came
to his house on Friday and went upstairs to his wife, and
took her watch and chain away.
In answer to Mr. Tyrwhitt, Mr. Beardall said the wife
was a well-conducted person.

Prisoner said he had gut a good situation to go to.
Mr. Tyrwhitt ordered him to find two sureties in £2O
each to keep the peace towards his wife.

WESTMINSTER.

CURIOUS CASE.—Ann Fennel, a middle-aged woman,
was eharged with the two distinct offences of deserting her
children and leaving them in the workhouse, and with ab-
sconding with the parish clothing of St. George's, Hanover-
square.

Mr. Rogers, the settlement clerk of the parish, said that
the defendant and her family had been inmates of the work-
house for the last two or three years. Last year she went
out on leave and absconded for some time, and being
brought back, the offence was overlooked. On Tuesday
last she again obtained p.rmission to go out. It was to
meet a girl of hers sent up by her brother from ScArthamp-
ton, and the parish were ready to admither. The defendant
went out, but never returned.

Mr. Baddersly, Master of St. George's, Ilanover-square,
Workhouse, Little Chelsea, said that he was at Brompton
last night, when he by chance met the defendant, and gave
her into custody. Defendant had gone out in the pariah
clothes, but only had a portion of them on at the time she
was met.

Mr. Arnold asked whether the defendant had a hus-
band ?

Mr. Rogers replied that she had, but he was imbecile,
and maintained in the other workhouse of the parish,
Mount-street, St. George's •square.
Mr. Arnold questioned whether a married woman could
in any way be charged with deserting her children while
her husband was alive. The legal responsibility was upon
him and not upon her.

Mr. Rogers quoted some extracts, upon faith of which he
had charged the defendant with desertion. If any difficulty
arose on that part of the case the parish would go upon the
other—for absconding with the clothing.
Mr. Arnold said he also very much questioned whether
that charge could be sustained. The words of the statute
were "removing away and absconding." There surely
could not be a ruuning away, as the defendant had left the
workhouse with the consent of the parish authorities.
Mr. Rogers said the neglect to return was an absconding.
Mr. Arnold remanded defendant till Friday, that the
matter might be considered.