The Sun. — 1818-10-21 (London, England)

DEAN, THE MURDERER.  SURRENDER OF THE MURDERER, HIS EXTRAORDINARY CONFESSION, C4RONER'S INQUEST, &C. UNION-HALL.—At an early hour yesterday morniug 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 assembled about Union-HMI Office, under that expectation, and the public road in front was so excessively thronged that malty lives were hazarded by the attempts of driiteri'df coaches and carts to force a passage for their vehicles. About five o'clock yesterday mOrning, a young man accosted Joseph 'Myatt, constable and .watch-house- keeper of St. AndretV's, Holborn; stating that he was a inurderer, and was desirous of surrendering himself into the hands of justice ; the constable was astonished at the application, and for a few moments hesitated how to act. He requested the applicant to be more explicit ; the young man then said, that on day evening he murdered a child at Newington. " Your name is Dean," said the watchman ; " I am that unfortunate man," he replied. He was then taken into the watch-house and properly secured. During his continuance there lie was asked by Myatt, whether at the time of the tour' tier committed he was in a.state of intoxi., Cation, tri which he answered he was never more sober in his life. At seven he was taken toGiltsptirstreet Cotupter, and information of his surrender was-sent to May, the Officer, who had been partictilarly active in his eodeavours to apprehend him. May waited upon the Lord :Mayor about eleven o'clock, and received the directions of his Lordship to take the prisoner to this office, in order that the business might be investigated by the Magistrates.. of the district. C. Jetutnett, Esq. The Coroner and Jury bad in the gotao time assembled at the Rockingham At'ms, Nt!wington, to take an inquisition on the body of the murdered child, and the Sitting Magistrate being iutortned that the prisoner did not deny having committed the murder, considered that the niost expeditious and satisfactory mode of proceeding would be tO send him immediately before the Coroner, in order that he might be committed for trial upon the evidence adduced to that gentleman and the Jury. It was also thought that the public [mind would be more speedily tranquillised, and the cramd of persons would disperse, and the parties tetite peaceably to their respective homes, when it was known that his final commitment had taken place. At nom' the coach arrited at Milan-hall office, containing May, the prisoner Dean, and Myatt the constable, who, receiving the order of the Magistrates as above stated, proceeded, with the addition to the party of Hail the officer, to the Rockingham Arms, followed by about 2000 persons. It was not observed by the officers that the unhappy parent of the murdered child was standing at the 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 person of the prisoner, his countenance grew pale with rage, his eyes flashed fury, and with the rapidity of lightning lie darted upon the culprit, and but for the timely interference of the offieets would have avenged oft the spot the immolation. of his child. One hand of the prisoner was fastened to May's, and with the other lie covered his eyes, nor once dared to meet the glance of the wretched fatter. At the period when the coach arrived, the Coroner was taking the evidence of Mrs. Halbert, the mother ; the moment that the announcement of his arrival reached her ear she fell into a convulsive fit, and was taken to an adjoining chamber that proper assistance might he administered. She unfortunately fell against one of the windows, .and was very much cut about her arms and hands.