The Express. — 1852-08-20 (London, England)

MURDER OF A CHILD, AND ATTEMPTED  MURDER OP TWO WOMEN.  TMUILIDAY. Sheffield is again the acetic of one of those horrifying murders which startle a whole country. An illegitimate child, nearly two years old, has bad its bead cut off by its father, who also attempted to murder its mother and another young woman. Tho man's name is Alfred Waddingtou, a grinder, residing in Lord 'street, Park, Sheffield. lie is about 20years of age, the emaciate of notoriously bad characters, and he has been tried for highway rubbery. The murdered child was called Elisabeth Sir er, the daughter of Sarah Slater' of Brown-street, Park, and was about a year and nine months old. Oa Monday, the mother took out • summons (which was to have been heard to-day) against Waddington, for neglecting to maintain the child. lie saw her in the street on Wednesday. and he swore he would never pay another farthing towards the child. On Wednesday evening it was left in the care of a little girl called Barlow' while the mother went to attend the female's evening class at the Mechanics' Institution. About half past 8 Waddington appeared at the dour of the class-room, and called out, Sarah Slater, you're wanted!" She went out to him, and he asked " What have lon dune with the child?" She told hint and he then said, " You must go with ins; it has fallen off • wall, and has broken its neck." She immediately ran out of the room with him. On arriving in Sylvester-lane, he said she need not trouble herself, fur ho had murdered the child. He pulled out a large clasp-knife and he said, " Here's some of its blood." The monster then fiercely attacked her, and attempted to cut her throat. She guarded her neck with her hand", which were shockingly lacerated ; and a little boy who saw the struggle, called out "Murder." Waddington then ran up Earlestreet, and the poor woman was taken home. Ile ass shortly afterwards met by a young woman called Sarah Dobson, who resides in Duke-lane, Sheffield-moor, • companion of the young woman Slater. Having heard rumours of the murder and the attack upon Slater, the young woman asked him what he had done with her and his child. Ile at once, without auwering the interrogatory, fiercely attacked her with his knife, and wounded her severely about the face. Her violet screams caused him to run away. About two o'clock this morning, however, he gave himself up to a night watchman, and at the Town-ball he described the exact place where the murdered child might be found. He said he took it from the little girl Barlow' carried it into Catter's-wood, Heeley, near Shefileld, and there cut its head off. At daylight this morning two policemen went to the place mentioned, and there found the body of the child. Ita head was lying several feet from its body. The prisoner was brought up at the Town-hall to-day at noon. Mr. Raynor, chiefconeteble, having stated the charge, said the case would be fully investigated by the coroner. The Mayor (to the prisoner)—ls it your wish to go before tho coroner's inquest? or would you rather not go ?—The prisoner said he would go before the coroner. The prisoner, who was in his shirt sleeve', on being placed in the dock looked round on the spectators with great unconcern. When Mr. Raynor mentioned the charge ho firmness for a moment forsook him, and he covered his face with his hands.