Northern Times. — 1859-01-20 (Liverpool, Merseyside, England)

THE MURDER AT QUEENBOROUGH.  The murderer Prentis has not yet completed the 20th year of his age, and his victim was under 16. He was formerly at work as a labourer on the Sheerness and Sittingbourne Railway, then employed by Mr. Josiah Hall, of Queenborough, and has lately been in the employ of Mr. Moxon, contractor for the batteries at Sheerness. He has been resident at Queenborough about three years, is of short stature, sallow complexion, and stiffly built ; he has a very fair character at Queenborough, for his steadiness and general conduct, with the exception. of being somewhat morose in disposition and reserved in character. When taken before the magistrates at Queenborough, on Wednesday last, it was with some difficulty that he was able to walk up the stairs of the court, and not without being supported. He was then. 'placed on a chair in front of the bench. He hung his head down during the whole of the proceedings, without even raising his eyes or uttering a word. He shook violently, sobbed audibly, and appeared to feel his position. most acutely. The father of Emma Coppings, the murdered girl, is an agricultural labourer, residing in Queenborough. He bears an irreproachable character, and has a large family. On Monday night his daughter called at his house on the way to the Ship Inn for her master's supper beer. She stayed only a few minutes, and left about half-past eight-o'clock. At nine she was taken home a corpse. We understand that the prisoner has scarcely spoken to any of the prison officials or constabulary since his capture. He has taken but- the smallest portion of food, and has ever since his arrest been apparently suffering the most intense agony of mind and prostration of body. Indeed, it was found requisite to administer repeated doses of brandy and water to him on Wednesday and Thursday, in order to enable him to undergo the investigation rendered necessary by his crime.. The unfortunate deceased was buried at Queenborough, on Sunday afternoon last, the Rev, Mr. Bingham, M A., incumbent, officiating. The affecting service was attended by a crowd of not less than 2,000 persons, who thronged to the Burial b.-round from Sheerness and other parts of the neighbourhood.— South, Eastern Gazette. _ _  The Sheerness Guardian says :—" We have v,reeved the particulars of the interview between the Rev. R. Bingham and the prisoner; they are, however, of such a private nature as to preclude publication. We may, notwithstanding, state, that when the reverend gentleman entered the room, the unfortunate criminal held out his hand to him, and burst into tears. A long conversation then ensued, in which the prisoner manifested every disposition to be communicative, and would doubtlessly have made a ' clean breast' of the whole affair had he been pressed to do so. -Mr. Bingham contented himself with directing the prisoner's mind to the state of his built, by suitably exhorting him, and by engaging with him in devotional exercise. The prisoner was deeply affected, and there is little doubt but that he will make a fall confession of the crime, and plead guilty to the charge. It is said (we believe on the prisoner's own statement) that he has neither father nor mother alive; that the only relation he has is a sister, and that she resides at a great distance, but he refuses at present to say whole."