The Sun.
London, England, 1865-09-05 00:00:00

THE SUN, LONDON, TUESDAY EVENING, SEPTEMBER 5, 1865.

Murder of a Woman.

At the Southwark Police-court yesterday, Henry Rick-
man, 31, labourer, employed at Hartley's Wharf, was
placed at the bar before Mr. Woolrych, charged with the
wilful murder of Sarah Scott, a widow with whom he
resided, at No. 3, White's-grounds, Bermondsey. The
prisoner, who seemed to feel his perilous position very
acutely, was allowed to be seated during the examination.
Mr. Philip Raymond was the first witness called. Ho
said,—l am an inspector of the M division of police. On
Saturday night, about 6 o'clock, I was on duty in the
Bermondsey station-house, when the prisoner was
brought in by 308 M, charged with causing the death of
Sarah Scott. After I had entered the charge on the
charge-sheet the prisoner commenced making a statement.
I cautioned him not to say anything unless he liked, and
told him that whatever he said I should take down in
writing, and it might be used against him at another
place. The prisoner said he wished to make a statement,
and I wrote down as follows :

"The deceased Sarah Scott has lived with me at 3,
White's-grounds, four years. Her husband died four years
ago. On Saturday evening we had no dispute. When I
came in I saw she was the worse for liquor, and that there
was no fire. I said, ' Why don't you get my tea ?' She mut-
tered something which I could not hear, and I could not tell
what she said. I said to her, ' Any ways, you will suffer for
this ; 'tis not the first or second time you served me so.'
While she was trying to light the fire I got out of temper,
and struck her, when she fell and I kicked her with my foot,
and I think that the heel of my boot must have made a gash
in her head and caused her death. I then went into the
yard, and when I came again into the house I found she
had not moved. I lifted her up and found that she was in-
sensible. I found life was gone from her. I laid her head on
a small block of wood and sent for a doctor by my next door
neighbour. I fancy she was led away by Mrs. Lapthorne,
living at No. 2, White's-grounds. The deceased had two
children by her husband."

Mr. Woolrych—Were these voluntary statements, with-
out any questions from you ?
Inspector Raymond—They were, Sir, as I strictly cau-
tioned him before I took it down in writing.
Mr. Woolrych—Who keeps the house ?
Inspector Raymond—The prisoner pays the rent, and
occupied it with the deceased and her children. After I had
taken down his statement I proceeded to the house and saw
the dead body of Sarah Scott. Dr. Evans, the divisional
surgeon, was sent for and examined the body while I was
there. I saw bruises and wounds on her head.

Mr. Woolrych (to the prisoner)—Do you wish to ask
the inspector any questions ?
Prisoner—No, Sir. It is just what I told him.
Inspector Raymond—When I returned to the station-
house the prisoner told me that the deceased had been
cutting wood with a knife (produced), which I found had
blood on it ; but I don't know that the wounds were caused
by that. I took the boots produced from the prisoner's
feet, and I found blood on the inner edge of -the iron heel
of the right foot.

Samuel Congdon, police-sergeant, 16 M, an old Crimean
officer, said—On Saturday evening, a little before 6 o'clock,
I was on duty in Bermondsey-street, when I received in-
formation that a woman had been murdered at No. 3,
White's-grounds. I proceeded there And saw a woman
lying on the floor with her head resting on a block of wood.
She was quite dead. I saw an incised wound on her right
forehead, and on looking round I found at her feet a small
table knife, the blade of which had blood on it. There was
some wood lying about, which appeared to have been re-
cently cut. I took the knife to the police-station, and while
showing it to the inspector in the prisoner's presence, he
said, " I did not do it with that, but with a kick."
James Haynes, 308 M, said—On Saturday evening, about
a quarter to 6, I was on duty at the police-station in Ber-
mondsey-street, when a gentleman came to me, and, from a
communication received from him I went to N 0.3, White's-
grounds. A Mrs. Gregory admitted me into the house, and
I asked her what was the matter, when she pointed to the
floor, and I then saw deceased lying apparently dead. The
prisoner was sitting on a chair by her side, holding herright
hand in his. I said, " Who did this ?" The prisoner ex-
claimed, "I did." I told him to be careful what he said, as
whatever he said I should have to say again before the ma
gistrate. The prisoner said, " I know that, but I want to
tell you all." He then said that deceased was drunk when
he came home, and had neither provided his tea nor had
any fire. (Witness then repeated the statement taken down
by Inspector Raymond at the station-house.) After he had
said so I took him into custody.
Sarah Ann Gregory, wife of Richard Gregory, said—l
live at 4, White's-grounds. On Saturday evening a little
after 6 o'clock I saw the prisoner coming to my door. Ho
came up to me and asked me to step into his house for a
minute or two. I accompanied him, and in the front room I
saw Mrs. Scott lying on the floor, and the prisoner raised
her head. I said " Dear me, what have you done ?" as I
thought she was dead. The prisoner called out, " Run for
a doctor 1" I went out and sent for one. I know prisoner
to be a very hard- working, sober man, but the deceased was
very intemperate in her habits.

Mr. Woolrych—llad you seen her alive in the course of
the day?

Witness—l had not, Sir.

Mr. Thomas Evans, the divisional surgeon of the M
division, said—l was called to No. 3, White's-grounds on
Saturday evening a little after 6 o'clock, when I saw the
deceased, Sarah Scott, lying on her back on the floor, with
hor head resting on a block of wood. She was quite dead.
I made a superficial examination of the deceased, and found
severe contusions on the left brow, just above the eyo, and
a wound on the back of the head. It was au incised wound
an inch and a half in length, penetrating to the bone, the
scalp being separated from the cranium. There was not
much bleeding.

Mr. Woolrich—Can you tell the cause of death ?
Mr. Evans—No, Sir ; not until I have mado a post
mortem examination. It may possibly be congestion of the
brain.

Mr. WooliTch—Are you going to make a post nzortent
examination of the body ?
Mr. Evans—Yes, Sir; I have just received orders from
the Coroner, and directions to report the same at the in-
quest. I have examined the prisoner's boots, produced,
and on the inside part of the right heel I have discerned
blood. I think the wound at tho back of the head might
have been caused by the iron heel of that boot.
Mr. Woolrych (to the prisoner)—Have you anything
to say why you should not be remanded until after the
inquest ?
Prisoner—l have nothing to say, Sir.
Mr. Woolrych—Then you are remanded.
The prisoner, who seemed very much depressed in spirits,
was then removed to Horsemonger-lane Gaol.

The Frauds on the Birmingham Banking
Company.

Yesterday Benjamin Taylor, of 67, Camden-street, Bir-
mingham, boot-uppermaker, and Henry Kelly, 18, Grove-
street, Camden-town, builder, were brought up on remand
before the Lord Mayor, at the Justice-room of the Mansion-
house, on a charge of having, in the month of May last, in
the city of London, unlawfully conspired, combined, and
confederated together, by divers false pretences, falsely and
fraudulently to obtain to themselves, and in pursuance
thereof unlawfully did obtain, from the Birmingham Bank-
ing Company large sums of money, about £2,400, with in-
tent to defraud them of the same.

Mr. Lewis, of the firm of Lewis and Lewis, solicitors, of
Ely-place, appeared for the prosecution ; Mr. M. Williams,
barrister, defended Taylor, and the other prisoner was
undefended.

The circumstances of this case have been brought so fre-
quently before the public that it is unnecessary to say more
than that the prisoner Taylor obtained the assent of the
Birmingham Banking Company to pass into their establish-
ment good trade bills to a large amount, with liberty to
draw upon them to an equal amount. lie then, in conjunc-
tion with Belly, opened several offices in London, and drew
several bills which purported to have been accepted by somo
genuine and by many fictitious firms, all of which have
turned out to be worthless. The names of the genuine firms
have been proved to be forgeries. These bills werepassed
into the bank by Taylor, who drew cheques for their full
amount, and these cheques were duly cashed, and in the
result the bank alleges that it has been defrauded to the
extent mentioned—about £2,400.
There was a great deal of evidence taken yesterday with
the view of showing the ramifications of the fraud.
Mr. Wm. Smith, an engraver and printer, of 33, Alder-
manbury, said that two persons, whom he could not iden-
tify to be the prisoners, had taken an office from him in
October last, at a rent of 255. a month. They paid him up
to March, and left in June. They did not carry on any
business so far as he could see. They called themselves
Sitchell and Forster, and put up a plate on the doorpost of
" Sitchell, Forster, and Co., artificial stone agents." They
merely called for their letters.
Mrs. Mary Rogers, of 2, Winchester-buildings, said a
person named Davis took a room from her as an office, at
a rent of £l4 a year and £5 for cleaning. It was on the
third floor. The name " Albert Davies and Co." was put
up on the door. lie said he dealt in fancy goods from Ber-
lin. He left in June last, but only paid her a quarter's rent.
That was paid partly in money and partly in 1 cwt. of soap.
A great many parties came to see him every day, and a man
named Streamer seemed to be the factotum of the concern.

Mr. E. Parker Champion said that in January last a per-
son named Brewer, who was accompanied by the prisoner
Kelly, had taken an office from him.
Mr. Charles 0. Burgess know the handwriting of Wm.
Farnham, who was connected with tho prisoners. The two
acceptances now handed to witness were signed by Brewer,
but were in reality written by Farnham, and it now ap-
peared that Brewer was Farnham.
Mr. G. W. Wyman, of Sussex-street, Plumpstead-road,
Woolwich, said he was engaged by Kelly to manage a boot
and shoe shop at 285, High-street, Camden-town. The
namo "Ross and Co." was placed over the door, but there
was no Mr. Ross connected with the business. All the let-
ters which came for Ross and Co. were handed to Kelly.

Mr. J. G. Coke, of Laclywood-grove, Birmingham, saw
an advertisement in the Birmingham Daily Post for a tra-
veller and agent, and was induced by it to come to London
and visit 36 and 37, Langbourne-chambers, Fenchurch-
street, where the name of "Frederick Reeves and Co." was