The Dewsbury Chronicle, and West Riding Advertiser. — 1894-06-02 (Dewsbury, West Yorkshire, England)

ALLEGED POISONING AT WAKEFIELD.  On Saturday last Major Taylor resumed the inquiry at the New Scarborough Arms, New Scarborough, Alverthorpe, near Wakefield, on the body of an infant six weeke old, who, it is alleged, has been poisoned by its father, Albert Dews, iron moulder, Swailes' Buildings, New Scarborough. The jury found a verdict of "Wilful murder" against the lather.—A large number of persons aeSembled in and around the West Riding Court, on Monday, in the expeotation of seeing Albert Dews put up. Witnesses for the prosecution were in attendance, but prisoner was wanting. When the jury on Saturday evening returned a verdict of "Wilful murder," Major Taylor, the coroner, made out his warrant, and ilder that order Dews is now in prison, awaiting his trial at the next assizes. Under these circumstances the prison authorities could not liberate Dews, and it was arranged that ibe case shall be dealt with at the prison on Thursday.—Dews on Thursday was charged with the wilful murder of his infant ion, Beajamini in the Justices' Room, at Wakefield Gaol. Dews, who appeared pale but collected, replied, in answer to the charge, "Well, sir, it's not right, I haven't done nothing to the child."— Jeremiah Reader, surgeon, Alverthorpe-road, who repeated the evidence he gave at the .inqaiest on being called to see the child on the 12th inst., said he found him suffering from intense pain in the stomach, and the mouth, tongue, and throat were very red and raw-looking. Ile attended the Child until its death on the 23rd. ' As the result of a post - mortem examination of the remains he . came to the conclusion that death was due to an irritant poison.—The Magistrates' Clerk (Mr, l'Anson): Were the sym,atoms before and after death compatible with poisoning by ammonia 7—Witness.: Yen—Alfred Henry Allen, public analyst, Sheffield, stated that on the lbth inst. he received from Police-sergeant Mycock a small bottle containing about a quarter , of an ounce of brown liquid, which on examination he found to be a solution of ammonia, of the same strength as the liqua ammonia of the British Pharmacopiea. He also received a child's nightdress and diapers, upon both of which were stains. ,but these showed no traces of irritant poison. Assuming ammonia to have been taken by the mouth he should expect to find no signs of it in the stains. There were, however, distinct traces of lead in the excrement on tho nightdress. The bottle he had examired contained no lead.—Mr. William Reader, recalled, said that there was no lead in the medicine (bismuth) which he had given to the child.—Ellen Shannon, wife of John Shannon, tailor, New Scarborough, said on, Match 31st last prisoner threatened to kill his wife before the night was out, and added, "I won't have you or the child—it is not mine."—Eliza Hobson (12), said that on the 12th ult. she was left in charge of the baby by Mrs. Dews. Prisoner sent witness for beer, taliipg the baby. When she returned the baby was crying. His mouth was'. " red raw," and there was some blood on the hearth. Dews said, .‘ I haven't given it anything, not as I knows of."—Sarah Darling, widow, who was Icalled in by Mrs. Dews, gave similar evidence.— bows, who had hitherto declinild to put questions to the witnesses, asked Mrs. Darling if he did Inot tell Hobson to fetch a doctor. Mrs. Darin:Kt insisted that he objected to a,snedical man being brought in. Prisoner also suggested that his wife wished the blood on the hearthrug to be wiped up, and that • he himself refused to allow it to be touched until . the doctor came.—Ann Elizabeth Ackroyd (16), living next door to tilt} Dew% stated that she heard Mrs. Dews screaming. She saw Mr. Dews with the baby in his arms. Mrs. Dews sand, "Oh, what have you done with the Pitt)y," gul Powli epliecl, "I have Ono what I!  said I would do."----,Des, hsving been duly cautioned, v,,lunteered 'a long stattnient, iu which he alleged that whilst Hobson was fetching beer the baby began to vomit.—Dews was formally committed to take his trial at Leeds Assizes.