The Sun. — 1850-05-10 (London, England)

LAMBETH. MURDEROUS ASSAULT ON A FEMALE.—Ann Miles, a middle-aged female, and Hannah Sullivan, a young woman, said to be her servant, were brought before Mr. Elliott, charged with committing a violent assault on Mary Payne, whom they threatened to murder. The complainant's face was covered with cuts and bruises, and being in a weak state from the ill-usage she had received, she was accommodated with a seat while she gave her evidence. She said that she lodged in a respectable house in Hill-street, Walworth, where she maintained her family, consisting of four children, by hard work. About nine o'clock that morning she was partaking of her breakfast, when she heard a noise on the staircase, and before she could ascertain the cause, Mrs. Miles rushed-into her room, in an excited state, and threatened to cut her throat, at the same time attempting to seize a knife off the table. Witness prevented her from doing so, when she upset the table, and in a most ferocious manner broke almost everything in the room. Sullivan caught hold of her while the other took up a stone pitcher, and struck her several blows on the head and face, breaking the utensil to atoms and inflicting a number of serious wounds on her head, which soon rendered her insensible from loss of blood. Her landlady, hearing her cries, came to her assistance, and called in the police, when the prisoners were secured, and prevented from committing further violence.  In answer to the charge Miles said the complainant was living in adultery with her husband, and had four children by him. He left her about five years ago, and although she had done all she could to trace hi, whereabouts she was unable to find his lodging until that morning. She accordingly went with her servant, and found the street•door open, when she entered the house and found the complainant sitting very comfortably with all her property around her. She then became very excited, and certainly did break a few things ; but the assault was provoked by complainant's language. As for the other prisoner she only did what she bid her to do. Complainant informed the magistrate that Mrs. Miles's husband left his wife on account of her drunken propensities ; that he seduced her, and had lived with her since. She denied making u3e of any insulting language or provoking her to commit the serious assault on her.  Complainant's landlady corroborated her testimony, and told the magistrate that she really believed the prisoners would have murdered her had not the police arrived, as they were both beating her over the head and declaring that they would do for her now that they had found her out.  A police-constable of the P division said he was attracted to the spot by hearing cries of " Murder" at the door. He ran into the house, and saw the complainant lying on the floor, bleeding from several cuts on the face. The defendants were swearing at her, and making use of threatening language. The elder prisoner said complainant had run away with her husband, and she was determined to have her revenge. He secured the prisoners, and called in a surgeon, who dressed the complainant's wounds. Mr. ELLIOTT said it was a most murderous outrage, and he really wondered that they had not killed the complainant, who appeared to have suffered severely from their violence. Whatever her conduct might, have been with regard to Miles's husband, they had no right to take summary vengeance and commit murder. As the defendant did not seem in a position to take them to the sessions, he should fine them 51. each, and, in default of payment, commit them to the House of Correction for three months, and, at the expiration of that period, require them to find good and substantial bail for their future conduct fur twelve months.