The Sun.
London, England, 1835-06-22 00:00:00

CENTRAL CRIMINAL COURT.

OLD COURT.

Naomi Poone, aged sixty-five, was indicted for having, on
the 2d of April, administered certain drugs to Mary Ann
Preedy, for the purpose of procuring abortion.
Another count charged her with using instruments to effect
a like purpose.
Mr. C. PHILLIPS and Mr. TALBOT conducted the prosecu-
tion ; Messrs. ADOLPHUS and CLARKSON the defence.
Mary Ann Preedy, aged seventeen, was first called, and
examined by Mr. Talbot. She stated she had lived with her
parents at Wimbledon, where the prisoner also lived. She
became acquainted with the prisoner soon after she was at
Wimbledon, in the month of August 1833. About ten weeks
after this the prisoner was standing near her father's house,
when she asked witness if her mother did not intend to mu-
der her. She replied in the negative, and begged of her not
to mention murder, or she should go mad. She then said her
mother would murder her, and she could prove it. The next
day she repeated the same threat, and said she was sure wit-
ness was ill-treated: ghe.then told her to pack up her clothes
and run away to her grandfather. The prisoner also endea-
voured to get witness a situation as a companion to a lady, but
failed; when she told witness she would procure her a place
as a companion to a gentleman, witness wished to know what
service she was to perform, when the prisoner replied—" Oh►
you know." She declared she did not, when the prisoner re-
plied--" You must be a d—d natural fool not to know," Wit-
ness was then between 15 and 16 years of age. A few day!
after, the prisoner again introduced the subject, and the pri-
soner told her the would introduce her to a house of ill fame,
in London, telling her it was the best life a young girl could em-
brace ; describing the amusements they enjoyed—their operas,
theatres, masquerades, &c., and the smart clothes they wore---
they did not work and had excellent wages. The prisoner came
to her while she was fastening the shutters, and after ascer-
taining that her parents were from home, she introduced *
young man to her, whom witness accompanied into the pri-
soner's house. The same man subsequently visited her oa
two occasions. Witness enquired of the prisoner who the man
was? but she would never tell her. In the month of Febru-
ary witness became pregnant, and informed the prisoner of
that fact. She, however, said it was all nonsense. In the
following months of March and April she again told the pri-
soner, who then said she was afraid it was so, and the offence
charged in the second count of the indictment was committed•
Some days after she gave her some medicine, which she told
her would do her good, and which had the effect of procuring
abortion. Had some conversation with the prisoner a few days
before she charged her at Union-hall, when she wished her
to go to Dean-street or Drury-lane, saying she was miserable,
while she stopped at Wimbledon. She afterwards told wit-
ness she was undone ; she had committed herself out of her
own mouth.

Cross-examined by Mr. A DOLPHUS-My father is a tailor
at Wimbledon, and has a number of female friends residing in
the town. Lived on pretty good terms with her parents until
her acquaintance with Mrs. Poone. After that her father was
much displeased with her, and brought her before the Justice.
She had confessed to them she had stolen a few things.
Several respectable witnesses expressed their opinion that
the prosecutrix was unworthy of belief.
Mr. Baron BoLLAND summed up the evidence, and
The Jury, after having retired about 35 minutes, returned a
verdict of Not Guilty.
The Rev. Mr. Ingleman stood forward, and stated that the
expenses of the prisoner's defence would be defrayed by al!b-
scription of the inhabitants of Wimbledon, at the bead of winch
hie should feel great satisfaction in placing his name.