The Central Glamorgan Gazette, and General, Commercial, and Agricultural Advertiser. — 1867-05-31 (Bridgend, Mid Glamorgan, Wales)

MAN CHARGED WITH MURDERING  HIS CHILD BY BURNING.  James Mooney, of No. 9, Pembroke-place, Earl-street, Kensington, was charged at the Hammersmith Policecourt, on Monday, with violently assaulting his wife, Ann Mooney, and also with causing the death of his child by burning it. The first witness examined was the wife, who was led into the court, and was allowed to be seated while giving her evidence. She stated that on Saturday evening she was speaking to a young man, whom her husband knew very well, when he (the prisoner) came up, bit her on the back, and nsked her why she did not return home. When she reached home he stripped the clothes from her, some of which he threw on to the fire, and he punched her on the side and on the face with his fist. He punched her so that she was unable to stand up. Her little boy, who was nearly six years of age, said, "Mother, hide under the bed; father will kill you." Witness got away with nly one under garment upon her, and sought protection in a neighbour's house. She was still suffering in her aide from the effects of the blows. Inspector Cross, of the J division, then stated that on Sunday morning he went to the prisoner's room, where he saw a quantity of burnt rags in the grate. He also saw a quilt on the bed, one end of which was burnt. The bed had been turned over, and on the other side he found three holes which had been caused by burns. There was no appearance of fire on the matting underneath the bed. He afterwards saw the prisoner at the station, and told him that be was charged with assaulting his wife, when he replied that she had behaved badly to him. Witness remarked that it was a bad job about his child, when he said, "Yes, I have taken him to the hospital." He also said that he went out after his wife had left, and when he returned the room was in darkness, and he asked his child where the light was, when he told him that it had gone out. He then procured a Inciter from the next room, and when he obtained a light he saw that part of the bedding was on fire. He threw some water on the fire and put it out. He went to bed, and in the morning, when he awoke, the deceased told him he was burnt. The witness also stated that when he examined the bed he found that it was wet—The prisoner told the magistrate that he left the candle burning while he went to look after his wife. When he returned he asked his boy what he had done with the candle, when he told him that it was in the bed. He got a lucifer, and when he lighted the candle, which he took from the bed, lie found the quilt burning. His child said his feet were hot. He (the prisoner) put out the fire, and as the bed was wet he turned it over. He did not notice his child until the next morning, when he said, "Father, I am dying." He (the prisoner) then went to his wife and told her that the child was ill, when she said she was not able to go to him. As scon as he was able he took the child to the hospital. Mr. F. M. Sims, house surgeon of St. George's Hospital, said the deceased was brought to the hospital by the prisoner on Sunday morning. The child was very much burnt on the back part of the thighs, groin, and extending downwards to the heels. He died that morning from the effects of the burns. Mr. Ingham remanded the prisoner until the 4th of une.