The Sun. — 1848-03-09 (London, England)

ALDERSON.) Mary Ann Wood, a young woman about 19 years of age, was indicted for concealing the birth of her child. Mr. Matthews and Mr. Seymour conducted the prosecution ; the prisoner was defended by Mr. Otter. The prisoner, it appeared, was, about the 3d of January, married at Bishop Wearmouth, to a person of the name of Wood, a sailor. About three weeks afterward?, while she and her husband were stopping with Mrs. Robinson, her mother-in-law, prisoner was taken ill in the night, and her husband called Mrs. Robinson up. She complained of internal pain, and some remedies were given to her, by which she seemed relieved, and Mrs. Robinson's servant was sent to attend her and sleep with her the remainder of the night. The servant was asleep for some hours, and on awaking went down stairs, leaving the prisoner alone about an hour and a half. In the course of the forenoon the prisoner, who appeared to be better, wished her mother to be sent for; but, before she arrived, some circumstances occurred which induced Mrs. Robinson to charge her with having had a child ; and finally the dead body of a female child, of which she admitted herself to be the mother, was found in a drawer in the bedroom, of which the prisoner had the key. There was no doubt the child had been still born.  Witnesses were then called, who proved that the prisoners had lodged at the house near which the prosecutor lost sight of them. That they came there a few days before the robbery in company, having with them two dog-carts and five dogs. Just before tee robbery, the two girls were standing outside the cottage, and called to the two men, Newport and the other, who were in the house, to come out; that they did, and went up the road together towards the spot where Mr. Church was robbed. At this time Ann Baker had on a black bonnet and a " whitish" shawl. In about twenty minutes one of the women returned, and was observed to put something into the dog-cart which had been owned by Baker and Newport. Just before this the witness had heard a noise as if some one had called out in the direction of where Mr. Church was robbed. Shortly after Ann Baker returned without a bonnet. Shortly after, from information given by Mr. Church, the prisoner Baker was taken into custody and fully identified by Mr. Church, and in the yard was found her bonnet, and in the dog-cart the shawl she had worn when she left the house. Newport was also apprehended. The other three persons concerned in the robbery absconded, but two of them were afterwards apprehended on another charge for felony, and are waiting their trial at Maidstone gaol. Mr. SMITH having addressed the jury for Baker, The Learned JUDGE summed up the case to the jury, who immediately found both the prisoners Guilty. Newport was then sentenced to be transported for ten years, and Baker for seven years. Mr. Baron Platt has been trying prisoners all day in the Nisi Prins Court, but no case of public interest has been taken.  The prisoner was found Guilty, but strongly recommended to mercy. His LORDSHIP said he thought it a great pity there had been any prosecution. The old law on this subject was, that the woman could not be convicted of concealment except under circumstances such as would justify the grand jury in bringing in a bill for murder. He thought the present law not an improvement. His Lord.hip sentenced the prisoner to be kept in custody till the rising of the Court, and then to be discharged. James Hay was indicted for cutting and wounding John Wade, with intent to do him some grievous bodily harm.