Weekly News. — 1892-05-05 (Blandford, Dorset, England)

SERIOUS CHARGES AGAINST AN EX-CONVICT. HE THREATENS TO KILL HIS STEPMOTHER, AND EXTERMINATE THE WORLD. At the Bournemouth Police Court this (Tuesday) morning, before Mr. It. Stephens. Frederick Wiiitnin Andrews, alias Frederick Ames and William, Danis. an ex-convict, was charged with having on the 27th April sent a letter to Phcebe Andrews, threatening to kill and murder her. Prisoner was undefended. William James Riggs, a lad, living at Victoria Place, Springbourne, with his father and mother, said prisoner had stayed at his parent's house for about a week, and left last Wednesday. On the 27th he saw prisoner engaged in writing a letter al, er tea about six or seven o'clock. It appeared to be rather a long letter, and was written in pencil. He was not able to swear to the letter produced, but it was very like it. Witness saw the address on the envelope and read it. Prisoner put the envelope and letter in his pocket. Prisoner then left the house. Phmbe Andrews, a very respectably dressed woman, said she was a widow, living at 247, Holdenhurst Road. Prisoner was her atep-son, and his father had been dead for 20 years. He was the only child living. The letter produced was written by prisoner. She could swear to the handwriting. Witness found it under her shop door at about 11.30 on Wednesday evening. Her bedroom window was smashed at the same time as she went downstairs. Her mother, aged 86, was also in the house. She threw up a window, and saw prisoner outside. Witness said, " What are you doing ?" but he did not reply. Prisoner then flung some more stones through the open window, and witness shouted " Police." Prisoner then walked away, after breaking about 14 windows. She valued each pane at 2s bd. Witness told him in March that she could do no more for him, and they parted on friendly terms. She thought her mother would have died owing to the fright. The police afterwards came; and she gave the letter to the Sergeant. She did not think the prise -.er was sane. He was 35 years of age. There was insanity in the family. He had not lived with witness for the past 18 years. Prisoner had a very comfortable home with witness, but he was a thief. Mr. Stephens, after looking through the letter, said he was satisfied. The letter produced in Court was as follows : April 27, 1892. Masam,-1 ante to tell you I think you have had your way long enough. It is my turn now you have swindled ice out of iny right. I have asked you several times for to come to some reasonable terms, but you flatly refused, so now prepare yourself. As I cannot get my rights Ido not mean for you to have them, for I will take your fife, as sure as God is my Maker, I a ill do for you, you old hypocrite. I will see if I am to starve, or go to the Union chile you are living in ease and comfort on what by right belongs to me. My father made no will, and you know it, and you think you can do what you like, but I will show you different. I will do for you if I hang by the neck afterwards, so you know. 1 sill see the place in ashes and your lifeless body in the midst of it. I have a weapon that would settle the a hole amid. I was born for dentructim, and destroy I will. I could exterminate the whole world if I choose, so make the most of the time allowed you in this amid, for to-night you die. I am, one greatly wronged.—F. W.