Star. — 1818-10-21 (London, England)

HALL.--At an early hour yesterday morning a report was spread throughout the Borough, that Robert Dean, the murderer Of Mary Halbert, was in custody, and would undergo an examination before the Magistrates. An immense crowd of persons assemlaled in consequence of that expectation about the avenues of the Office, and the carriageroal in front was so completely blockaded that it was with great difficulty, and at the hazard of many lives, that the drivers of coaches and carts could farce an opening fur their vehicles. About five o'clock yesterday morning, a young man accosted Joseph Myatt, Constable and Watch-house keeper at St. Andrew's, Holborn, at the watch-house, stated that he was a murdeser, and wished to surrender himself into the hands of justice. The Constable at first felt so much astonishment at the application, as to create an hesitation respecting the manner in which he should au t, and required him to be more explicit. The applicant then said, that he had murdered a child at Newington on Friday last ; " yes* name is Dean then," said the Constable: " I am that unfortunate man," he replied. He was then received into the watch-house, and properly secured. After being placed in conSnement, he was asked by Myatt, whether he was in a. state of intoxication at the time he committed the murder? he .replied no; and stated that he was never more sob= in his life. At .seven o'clock he was taken so Giltspur.street Compter„ and information was sent to May, the Officer, who had been extremely active in his search after the murderer, of his surrender. May waited on the Lord Mayor about eleven o'clock, and received the direction of his Lordship to take the prisoner to this Office, jn order that he might undergo an examination before the Magistrates. In the mean time C. Jima:Err, Esq. and the Jury had assembled at the RoCkingham Arms, Newington, to take an inquisition on the body of the murdered child, and the Sitting Magistrate being informed that the prisoner did not deny having committed the murder, considered that the most es peditious mode of proceeding would be for Lim to be immediately taken berme the Coroner, and committed to take his trial upon the evideride adduced before that Officer. It was also thought that the agitation of the public mind would be sooner. tranquillized by that mode Wit proceeding, and that when it was known that his committal had taken place, the numerous persons who had assembled would separate and return peaceably.to their respective homes. At noon the coach arrived at this Office containing May, the Prisoner, and Myatta the Constable, who receiving the order of the Magistrate as above stated, proceeded, with the addition to the party of Hall, another Officer, to the Rockingham Arms, followed by about two thousand persons. It was not observed by the Officers that the unhappy parent of the murdered infant was standing at t:.e door of the Rockingham Arms, when the prisoner descended from the coach, but he soon became known the moment his eyes were fixed on the per-son of the prisoner, his cquntenance grew pale with I rage, his eyes flashed fury, and with the rapidity of Ilightninghe darted upon the culprit, and but for ti.e timely.anterference of the Officers, would base avenged on the spot tlie,immolation of his innocent One hand of the prisoner was fastened to May, the other he placed over his eyes, nor once dared to meet the glance of the wretched father. At the period"when the coach arrived, the Coroner was taking the evidence of Mrs. Halbert, the mother.— The report of the pri oner's arrival soon reached her ear, and she instantly fell into a strong convulsive fit, and was carried to an adjoining chamber, that proper assistance might be administered. She unfortunately fell against one of the windows, and was very much cut about the arms and hands.