The Sun. — 1857-08-27 (London, England)

BOW-STREET.  THE ATTEMPTED MURDER IN ST. GILES'S.—This morning Ann Donovan, a low prostitute, was placed at the bar on remand, charged with attempting to murder police-constable Gymer, 54, F. It will be recollected that the prisoner was first examined at this court last Thursday, but in consequenos of the constable being so seriously wounded as to be unable to leave the hospital she flas remanded until to-day. _ _  The constable was so far recovered as to be able to give evidence, and this morning he appeared in court with hii head enveloped in bandages. He said my name is George Gymer. About half-past two on Wednesday, the 19th, I saw a number of boys in Nottingham-court, St. Giles, running after another one of weak intellect. I caught hold of him, and he fell into a fit, and I immediately took bun to the workhouse. While doing so the prisoner continued to pull the lad about, and also pushed against myself, and in consequence of her doing so my hat fell off, and in trying to recover it I accidentally touched the prisoner with my hand. She instantly made use of a shocking expression, and said, " I'll have your life for that." I told a brother constable who was near not to let her follow, and I then went onto the workhouse. In about a quarter of an hour from this time I met the. prisoner at the corner of Endall-street, and hhe asked me if I had left the boy at the workouse. I said yes, and she said " I suppose you would like to lag him, like you have a good many others." I directed her to go home, and at this moment I let my glove fall, and in stooping to pick it up I heard her say, "I have been home for something that will do for you," and I instantly felt myself stabbed in the head. Whilst recovering myself sbe again stabbed me three times in the face and neck. The last blow the knife went through the collar of my coat and the leather stock (produced). I kept hold of her for some time, and she tried to thrust the knife in my stomach. Failing in this, she said, "As I can't do for you, I'll have your - eye," and then she made another attempt to stab me in the eye. I felt very faint from loss of blood, and I said, "For God's sake take the knife from her," and a young man then stepped forward and seized her hand, and held her till another policeman came up who conveyed the prisoner to the station-house, and I was taken to the hospital.  Mr. Henry—Was eke sober, or was she drunk 1 Witness—Quite sober. Prisoner—How can you say so ? I had been drinking all day. Mr. Palmer said—On the day in question I was acting as house surgeon at Charing-orose Hospital. Gymer was brought in abort 3 o'clock in the afternoon in a state of collapse. I examined him, and found ho had received a punctured wound on the back of the head, from which he was bleeding profusely. He also bad a wound on the right side of his neck, and also other wounds. One was on the left side of the cheek, just below the eye. I dressed the wounds and admini.t.red restoratives, and the constable continued an in-patient of the hospital till Tuesday last. He is now out of danger. Mr. Henry—Look at the knife and see if you think the injuries might be caused by it. Witness—Decidedly. Mr. Henry—Did you consider any of the wounds dangerous Witness—All wounds of the description I have men• tioned are dangerous, as erysipelas might supervene. The evidence of police-constable F 95, who secured the pr:soner, and the young man who went to Gymet's assistance, baying been read over and signed, Mr. Henry asked the prisoner what she had to say to the charge ? The prisoner said—l had been drinking all day, and about half-past two I saw the constable take a silly bay into custody who had been about the neighbourhood. I went over the road to see what was the matter, when the constable struck me in the face, and t•_1•1 me " I ought to be hung like my 'nee was." I then became over excited, and don't recollect an) tt ing afterwards. Hr. Henry, to Gymer—Did you make that remark ? Witness--No, your worship, I did not know at that time her uncle had been hung. The prisoner mu then fully committed for trial, and was conveyed to the lock-up cells, vowing vengeance against the policeman, and also regretting that she " had not done it to rights for the wretch."