The Sun. — 1844-03-08 (London, England)

CRIMINAL COURT.—(THIS DAY.) THE DEPTFORD MURDERS. Sarah Dickenson, a married woman, aged 36, was put to the bar, charged that she, on the 10th of January, in the parish of Deptford, did, with a certain razor inflict a wound on the neck and throat, and did strike, cut and wound, one George John Dickenson, of the age of three years, and did mortally wound him, so that he died. She was also given in charge on the Coroner's Inquest. The wretched prisoner was bitterly affected. and presented a most pitiable spectacle. The Learned Judge (Patteson) ordered a chair to be placed in the dock for her support. Mr. Doane was Counsel for the prosecution, and Mr. Clarkson for the defence. The Learned Counsel having opened the case by a brief recapitulation to the jury of the facts of the case, called the following witnesses : Elizabeth Spencer, sworn—l am the wife of William Spencer, and I lived at No. 5, Giffin-street, Deptford, when this affair occurred. The unfortunate prisoner and her husband lived there. We were lodgers there. I knew the prisoner and her family for better than three months. I knew the little boy and the child too. I remember on the 10th of January last Mr. Dickenson going out in the morning. The last time I saw him that morning was about 4 quarter-past eight, and I did not see him again till between half-past five and six o'clock. He and his wife and children occupied two rooms below, and we lodged above. About halfpast five Mr. Dickenson came into our room in a state of great alarm, and fell fainting on the bed. In consequence of what he said I went down stairs, and found the prisoner lying on the bed with her throat cut, and in a dreadful state. I also saw the two children with: their throats cut, and they were quite dead. I knew the parents to be in very great distress indeed—most deplorably off. From illness the husband was unable to work, and I believe he had never had a day's work since the birth of the baby, about twenty months' ago. He had nothing to keep his family on, but the small sums they got from their lodgers. I know they had pawned everything. They treated the children with the greatest of kindness. I never saw more affection in my life. The parents had parted with every rag of their own clothes, and had pawned much of their children's. They were both exceedingly kind to each other—never saw a kinder husband or a better wife. I had recommended her to go to the overseer, but she did not go— she could not bear it. For the day through oftentimes I have known them only have a bit of bread and a few potatoes. The parents often went without altogether. I know once for two days the children had only two penny loaves, and the parents had nothing whatever. Prisoner often complained heavily of her head, and the pains she had in it. Oftentimes she has complained she was afraid she would lose her senses. She has often said her mind wandered and she should go distracted. Before this happened she was often wandering, and forgetting what she was about. I have been present when she was teaching the children their prayers, and she has forgotten all at once what she--was doing, alid forgotten the words. On the Tuesday, that is the day before this happened, she borrowed a penny from me to buy something with. Cross-examined by Mr. CLAtucsag—l have often seen prisoner walking about with her hand to her head. It was at those times she complained of her head, and said she was afraid she should go out of her mind. Sarah White examined.—l was a lodger in Mr. Dickenson's house when this affair happened. I remember the little boy George. I last saw him alive on the morning of Wednesday. I did not see him again till about twenty-five minutes to six, when I heard a terrible noise. It came from the last witness, Mrs. Spencer. I went into the room, and siw what his already been described. She inquired setimes where her husband was gone to. Her conduct as a mother and wife was most affectionate. Ce )rge Dickenson, the husband's brother, was then called and examined—l am the brother to the prisoner's Husband,  HONE kr