The Sun.
London, England, 1865-09-27 00:00:00

WANDSWORTH.

THE ALLEGED BURNING OF THE BODY OF A CHILD.—
Fanny Knight, who was charged last week with conceal-
ing the birth of her illegitimate child, was brought up for
re-examination.

On this occasion the prisoner was defended by Mr.
Ricketts. •

It will be recollected that the body had not been found,
and that the case rested upon the prisoner's own state-
ment. After she was taken into custody by police-con-
stable Sapphill she confessed to having given birth to a
child about a fortnight before, but whether dead or alive
she could not tell, and that she burnt the body.
Harriet George, a married woman, lodging-in the house
of the prisoner's father, was called, and she said that for
some time past, up to last Saturday three weeks, she was
satisfied, from the prisoner's appearance, that she was in
the family way. Mrs. Brown, another lodger, also called
her attention to the prisoner on the Saturday. In the
evening she looked very ill. Witness saw her several
times afterwards, and looking so bad that one evening she
said to her, " Oh, Fanny, how bad and ill you look." She
said, "Do you think so, I don't feel it." A young man
named Frank was with her, and she turned away from
witness. She afterwards saw a change in the prisoner's
appearance, which led her to believe she had been con-
fined. Witness never spoke to her about it.
tolice-constable Sapphill added that the prisoner told
him that she did not know whether it was a child or not.
She told the doctor she did not know the length or size
of it.

This being all the evidence, Mr. Ricketts admitted that
there was no proof of the evidence of a child.

Mr. Ingham said there was the prisoner's own statement
that she had burnt the body. If the child was born alive
she had been guilty of murder, and if not there was the
concealment'of the birth. It was a case to be submitted to
a jury.

The prisoner was again remanded for the attendance of
the doctor and Mrs. 13rown.

It was stated that the young man Prank had absconded.

THAMES.

MAD Dlttimc.—John Toomey, an Irish bricklayer, was
brought before Mr. Paget, charged with being drunk and
disorderly.

Sharp, a police constable, No. 306 K, stated that last
night the prisoner was making a disturbance in a public
house in Old Gravel-lane, St. George's-in-the-East, and he
overturned everything and put a woman in the fire-place,
where he left her. On reaching the street he made a good
deal of noise, and pelted every female that passed with
bricks and stones. Several persons were injured. The
prisoner was removed three times to Green-bank, Wap-
ping, where he lived, and as often returned, repeating
his offensive conduct on each occasion, and alarming
every one by his violence, bad language, threats and
gesticulations. He then attempted to get over the swivel-
bridge into the London Dock. He was seized by the neck
and shoulders, and was suspended over the water, with his
feet nearly touching it for some minutes, until a barge was
navigated to the spot, and ho was lowered into it. The
prisoner struggled and plunged violently, and it required
the united exertions of eight police-constables to convey
him to the station-house.

Mr. Paget—He was mad drunk ?
Witness—He was, sir. He acted in a similar manner a
month ago.

The prisoner said this was the first time he had been in
custody, and it would be the last.

Mr. Paget—lt is not the first time you have acted in this
extraordinary manner. You Were mad drunk last night,
Ycu ara sentenced to seven days' imprisonment and hard
labour.

MATRIMONIAL DISCORD.—Joseph George, general dealer,
of Bird-in-hand Passage, Bow, was brought before Mr.
Paget charged with beating his wife, Mary Ann George,
and Mary Ann his daughter.

The parties are old and appear to have indulged in
drinking too freely. They have presented themselves
before the magistrates of this court several times. On the
14th of May last Mr. Partridge sentenced the prisoner to
six weeks' imprisonment and hard labour, and held to bail
in his own recognisance to keep the peace and be of good
behaviour for six months. This surety was violated
directly he came out of prison. He has ill-used his wife
since, and last night they were both "half drunk," and he
beat her and his daughter with a wooden shutter, which
he broke over them. He also threatened his daughter, and
said he would cut her - eyes out.
The wife said she earned £3 per week at her husband's
business while ho was in prison, and was anxious for him
to go to gaol again. •
_

The prisoner said he was willing to allow his wife 10s.
per week.

Mr. Paget lectured the intemperate couple, who loved
gin better than respectability. He had no doubt whatever
that the wife provoked the husband, but he had no right
to beat her. The prisoner must find bail to keep the peace
for six months.
Sureties were tendered and approved.