The Sun.
London, England, 1861-12-14 00:00:00

POLICE INTELLI'i-ENCE.—Dec. 13.

WESTMINSTER.—EXTRAORDINARY CHARGE
AGAINST A SURGEON. -A few days ago Mr.
Edward Lowe Webb, surgeon, 9, St. George's-
road, Pimlico, was summoned for an assault
upon Eliza Hancock, his servant, a pretty and
rather diminutive girl of 18. Complainant said
that on the 2d of li/ecen3ber she was or-
dered by Mrs. Webb to perform a particular
menial service, when she said she could not, upon
which her mistress told her she should leave the
house immediately. Complainant then waited for
defendant to come in for her wages, when he offered
her a sovereign, which She refused to take, as it was
not enough, and he ordered her oat, but,,stke reftsed,
to leave until she was paid. He then shook her and
threw her from one end of the surgery to the other.
Complainant's sister, who was also in his service,
then came into the room to see what was the mat-
ter, when he pushed her out. Mrs. Webb was at
the time in the surgery, and defendant having
locked the doors and given her the keys, again
shook complainant and struck her on the head and
the mouth, which made it bleed, and it was still
continuing to bleed when she came to this court for
redress. Complainant then screamed, when he put
his hand over her mouth. lie then threw her on the
ground, and removing her clothes smacked her, and
Mrs. Webb held her feet that she should not kick
him. Then he rolled her from one end of the room
to the other like a piece of carpet. The doors were
then unlocked, and defendant and his wife left her.
Complainant's bonnet and dress were torn to pieces.
In cross-examination by Mr.Wontner, complain-
ant declared that defendant did not pay her her
wages. She had received a sovereign in June last,
and that was all.

A book was handed to her, and she was asked
whether that was her signature, and she at first
replied it was, but on looking at it more attentively
positively swore that it was not, and that the only
receipt she had given was in a different kind of
book. She did not insult Mrs. Webb, or call her
bad names, nor the little girl her daughter, and
threaten to throw a book at her. Mrs. Webb said
to her husband, " You have not half given it to her ;
get a stick and give it her ;" and Mrs. Webb looked
in the surgery cupboard for a stick, but could not
find it.

In answer to the magistrate, complainant said
that her sister Ellen (not in service) was in the
house when she was ill-treated. Complainant did
not shake her fist at Mrs. Webb, and call her a
vile woman ; did not tell the little girl she would
serve her mamma out.

Nv
Ellen Hancock said she went to the surgery and
saw defendant pushing complainant about, and give
her a blow on the mouth, after which defendant
turned witness out of the surgery.
By Mr. Wontner—Witness went to the house
by her mother's directions, who said Mrs. Webb
had sent there. Believed defendant had been to
her mother's. Went to the surgery because she
heard her sister scream.

By the Magistrate—On entering the surgery saw
her sister crying, and defendant strike her. The
door was fastened after witness was put out, and
then she heard more screams, and went for the
police. After she was put out at one door she tried
the other, but could not get in.
Elizabeth Hancock, servant at defendant's, said
she heard her sister scream, and on going to the
surgery door found it locked. She asked to be let
in, but was not. Went into the street and rang the
surgery bell, when defendant let her in. The room
was in great confusion, the chairs and table lying
on the ground. Defendant struck complainant a
blow on the head with his open hand. Saw her
sister's mouth bleeding.

The defendant then made his own statement. He
said that on complainant refusing to do what she
was desired, Mrs. Webb told her she must leavk
and then sent for her mother. Complainant then
went about the house laughing, and saying, " Send
for my mother, indeed." Defendant desired her to
be quiet, but she would not. A message then eame
from her mother, stating that she could not come,
.but would send her other daughter. Defendant
then paid complainant 193.11 d., and as he had paid
her a sovereign before, he got her to sign the re-
ceipt, which had been produced, for £1 19s. 11d.
As complainant was still misconducting herself, he
went to her mother, and she said she would send
her daughter Ellen. Defendant next went to the
police-station, and returning home found his poor
wife, who is iu a delicate state of health, in great.
trepidation. She complained that the girl had
shaken her fist in her face. lie then told
the complainant to go, but she refused un-
less he or Mrs. Webb went with her to see her
take her clothes. On the stairs complainant
met his daughter, and threatened to throw a book
at her head. Complainant then returned to the sur-
gery, when he told her she had better leave the
house quietly, as he had discharged and paid her.
Complainant then abused Mrs. Wbb, and said she
would send for a policeman. Defendant desired her
to go for one, but she would not, and steed yelling
and crying loud enough to distutb all the neigh-
bourhood. A ring came at the surgery bell, and
he opened the door; he had done so before, to beg
her to go. Two policemen came to the door, and
they advised complainant to go. Defendant did
not strike complainant, but put his hand over her
mouth to prevent the noise she was making.
Catherine Elizabeth Webb, ten years of age, was
examined for the defence. She said that as she was
coming down stairs, between twelve and one on the
day in question, complainant threatened to throw
the book at her head, and told her sister that wit-
ness was quite as bad as her mamma. Before that
complainant shook her fist at Mrs. Webb, and called
her a vile woman and a wicked wretch. _ _

Upon this evidence Mr. Arnold expressed his
opinion that if the charge were true it was so mon-
strous that it was hardly credible, and in one part
inexplicable, and adjourned it until yesterday.
Mr. Lewis, of Great Marlborough-street, now
appeared for the complainant, and asked permission
to withdraw it from this :court. The complainant
had sustained serious injury, and abscess being
likely to form in her mouth from the effects of the
blows. It was a case in which she was entitled to
compensation for the loss she would sustain as well
as for the injury she had received, and her friends

wished to take their civil remedy in a superior
Court.

Mr. Wontner said it was Dr. Webb's desire
that the magistrate should decide the case. He
had other evidence to lay before the Court and
wished to proceed. If the magistrate would
decide it he would be perfectly content, but if it
were to be sent to the sessions as a criminal
charge, where Mr. and Mrs. Webb's mouths would
be shut, he would rather accede to the application
made on the other side, as their evidence could
then be heard on oath, and they would flatly deny
thiegroundless and infamous charge.
Mr. Arnold did not think the application unrea-
sonable. Complainant had come to the Court most
accessible, not being aware perhaps she could go to
any other ; had an attorney been consulted he
would perhaps have advised what was now asked.
He thought on both sides in so painful a case it was
better they should go to another Court where de.
fendant and his wife could be examined and cress-
examined. He (Me. Arnold) would give no opinion
What course he should adopt if pressed to proceed
With the inquiry.
The case was then withdrawn by consent for
proceedings to be taken in a superior Court.
STR NORTON KNATCIII3IILL'S CASE.—J ohn
Kirby and Lewis Billaurd, who stand charged with
conspiring to obtain a situation for the former in
the establishment of Sir Norton Knatchbull by a
false certificate of character, were fiaally examined.
Mr. Charles Humphreys, on the part of the pro-
secution, called Mrs. Knowles, housekeeper to the
Dake of Somerset, to:prove that the defendants had
both been in his grace's service ; that Kirby had
been discharged, as stated by the duchess to her,
for drunkenness ' • and that Billaurd had never been
house-steward, but valet. As the witness could not
say of her own knowledge whf..Kirby had been
discharged—
Mr. Humphreys put in a letter, addressed to the
duchess by Kirby, admitting the fact, and express-
ing his deep regret. He (Mr. Humphreys) further
stated, that if necessary he could show, by a letter
of Billaurd's to her grace, that he had not the hiring
or discharging of servants.
The defendants being asked whether they wished
to say anything,
Kirby replied, " Nothing."
Billaurd—l am not guilty of the offence.
Mr. Arnold committed them to take their trial at
the Central Criminal Court upon bail, which
laurd put in.

FROM THE GAZETTE OF LAST EVENING.