The Sun. — 1848-10-19 (London, England)

CLERKELV WELL. Edward Murney, was charged by Mr. John Dempsey, house decorater, Polygon, Clarendonsquare, with feloniously breaking and entering his dwelling-house, and stealing a silver watch, a quantity of jewellery, and other property. The prisoner was also charged with having violently assaulted Mrs. Fanny Morgan, under the following circumstances : Mrs. Fanny Morgan deposed that she is the wife of Mr. George Rossiter _Morgan, and is aunt to Mr. Dempsey, the prosecutor, and at present resides in his house. On Tuesday evening last, about seven o'clock, she was in the kitchen, when her attention was attracted by a noise as if the street-door was opened. She instantly went up stairs with a lighted candle in her hand, and on entering the parlour she saw the prisoner with two boxes under his arm. She inquired his business, but he seemed agitated and made no answer, but knocked the candle out of her hand. She seized him by the collar, and held him tightly whilst she called out "murder, police, rob. bery; thieves in the house." He commenced and continued heating her until he dragged her into the passage in the dark, and he knocked her about dreadfully, whilst he attempted to get to the street door to open it; but she resisted him, and succeeded in keep. ing him back, as she retreated with her face towards him and her back to the door, until she opened it, and then she called out " murder 1 robbery 11 and begged of the neighbours to come to her assistance. The prisoner then threw some of the property into the street, and she kept him at bay until the police and some of the neighbours and inmates of the house came to her assistance, and took the prisoner into custody after a resistance. The watch which the prisoner threw into the street was picked up near the door. The prisoner, who acted with the greatest indifference during the investigation, threatened the witnesses.  Mr. COMBE, after the usual caution, asked him what he had to say to the charge ? Prisoner—l shall reaerve my defence for a jury. The prisoner was then fully committed for trial. Sarah Andrews, the wife of a compositor and shopkeeper, Clerkenwell-close, was placed at the bar charged with excessive cruelty to William Andrews, a poor cripple, between fourteen and fifteen years of age, by which he was seriously injured. The unfortunate boy, who was supported into court in a crippled state, was perfectly attenuated in consequence of the ill-treatment, exhibited marks of violence on his head, &c., and was placed on a seat while he gave his evidence.  Mr. King, hairdresser, of 27, Clerkenwell close, said that the defendant was the complainant's mother-in-law, and for a length of time past she had exercised the greatest cruelty towards him, and his cries and screams frequently alarmed the neighbours, until he (Mr. King) determined, in consequence of her conduct towards the boy last Monday, to bring her to justice, and ever since he had had the boy under his protection, he having obtained a warrant against her. The boy deposed that on Monday last the defendant ordered him to wash out a room in the upper part of the house, when she complained that he was slow about it, and he must have been fast asleep. She beat and kicked him on the body, side, and head. She seized him, and he could not get away from her. After he had finished the room she beat him, when he escaped from under the counter. She seized him by the arms, dragged him out, and dashed him on the floor. she then knelt on his stomach, forced her hand into his mouth to prevent his crying, and knelt upon his stomach with all her might, and he now felt great pain. She also bit his middle finger nearly through and he bled very much. A geatleman entered the place and took him away. Here the poor boy was so much exhausted that his head dropped, and he fell into a stupor. Mr. Bayliss, the usher, said that when the application was made for the warrant, the boy was bleeding profusely, and he was in a weakly state. Mr. Comae asked the boy if his mother•in-law was in the habit of serving him in this way ? He answered in the affirmative.  Bingham, 80 G, the warrant officer, proved the apprehension of the prisoner. She said nothing. Mr. Comm' asked her if she wished to say anything to the charge? She said, "I did not throw him down or kneel upon him " She was fully committed for trial, and the boy was taken to the workheuse.