The Sun. — 1851-07-12 (London, England)

RECORDER.) ARSON BY A SERVANT.—Ernma Pennington' aged 19, was indicted for feloniouly setting fire to the dwellinghouse of Charles Wood, her master, with intent to injure him. The priloner pleaded not guilty. Mr. Hardinge Gifford appeared for the prosecution, and Mr. Spicer defended the prisoner. Charles Wood, the prosecutor, deposed that he was a printer, and resided at Islington. The prisoner had been in his service about six weeks. On Sunday evening, the 29th of June, he left the house with his wife and children, leaving the prisoner in charge of his house. On his return home he found that a fire had occurred in the house, and property to the extent of loot destroyed. He went up to the two attics, one of which was used as a composing-room. In the back attic there was an iron press, with a wood covering, which was entirely destroyed. A short time before he reprimanded the prisoner for introducing her brother into the house without permission, and the prisoner appeared very much annoyed at what he said. Cross-examined—The property destroyed consisted principally of furniture and Spanish books. Henry Andrews stated that he occupied the first floor of the prosecutor's house, which he left on the evening in question quite safe, about half-past six o'clock. He returned about half-past nine, and found that the place had been on fire. Some of his clothes and the post of his bed were destroyed by the fire. Simon Lloyd, of Hermes-street, Pentonville, deposed that he was standing opposite the prosecutor's house about seven o'clock on Sunday, the 29th of June, and seeing a quantity of smoke issuing from the brickwork of the chimney, he ran over and knocked loudly at the door, but no one answering, he forced open the window. Finding no one on the ground floor, he went up stairs to the attics and found the rooms filled with smoke and the fire burning in the left corner. He called out loudly for water, but no one coming he ran down stairs to the first floor and returned with what little he could find. He then went down again and found the prisoner standing near the parlour-door. He requested her to help him to fetch some water, but she said she had been told to remain where she was, and she should do so. He then wont up stairs a third time, taking with him a bucket of water, and two other persons coming to his assistance, the fire was soon got under. William Sherlock confirmed the last witness's evilence as to putting out the fire and the prisoner offering no assistance. Mr. iladdeley, the inspector of fire escapes, deposed 'hat ho was called to the fire about eight o'clock. He went up into the attics and there saw evidence of two fires. Ile was afterwards called down to the first floor. and on going into the back room ho found that it was full of smoke, which appeared to issue from beneath a bed. He looked under and discovered that the bed was on fire.  Jones, a police-constable, stated that ho was called into the house, He questioned the prisoner as to how the fire occurred, and she said she did not know. She appeared very uneasy and tried to escape into the front garden, but he prevented her doing so. He asked her what her motive was for going out, and she replied, " I am not going to stop here, or I shall be murdered when master and missus come home." He asked her some other questions, and she said she had had nothing to eat all day, nor did she ever get any beer; they did not allow her any, and she was determined not to stay any longer to be bullied by her mistress. She said her master was insured for the lower part of the house but not the upper, and that appeared to annoy her. She told him this before she complained of her mistress's ill-usage. Mr. SPICER addressed the jury for the defence, and contended that there was no evidence to convict the prisoner. The Learned RECORDER summed up, and the jury returned a verdict of Guilty. The COURT sentenced her to be transported for seven years.  Major-General G. Bowles, Master of the Household, will succeed to the Lieutenancy of the Tower, vacant by the decease of General Wood, and Major Thomas Middleton Biddulph, of the Ist Life Guards, will replace him as Master of the Household.