The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle. — 1878-07-27 (Stourbridge, West Midlands, England)

THE INQUEST.  On Monday Mr. Carttar, coroner for West Kent, held an inquest at "The Bell," Crayford, on the bodies of Richard Lewis Sands, 37, landlord of the "Nile" beerhouse, Greenwich, and his three children, all of whom were found dead at Crayford, under the circumstances stated above. The coroner said he would first of all take the evidence as to the three children, who were found with their throats cut, and subsequently inquire more minutely into the circumstances attending the death of the father. Herbert Styles, brother-in-law of Richard Sands, identified the bodies, stating the names of the children were Agnes Sands, aged seven, George, aged six, and Amy Frances, aged tour. Sands had one other child aged two. Before taking the "Nile" he was steward at the Burlington Fine Arts Club, Savile-row. Pelice-sergeant Jackson said that at three o'clock on Saturday morning he met Inspector Meering at a wood adjoining the Dover-road, for the purpose of searching for the three children. In one place where the brushwood was thin he found the bodies of the female children lying on the ground, with their throats cut. Constable Abrams found the boy a few yards off, with his throat also cut. Witness picked up two pieces of the blade of a clasp-knife, which were lying under the throat of the eldest girl. Inspector Meering deposed to finding a hat and handkerchief (since recognized ea those of Richard Sands) together with a clasp-knife, which had two pieces missing from the blades. The pieces found by Serjeant Jackson corresponded with the knife. Judging from the blood-marks, the witness thought the children had run away after their throats were cut, and then fallen down. There were footmarks from the place where he found the children to an adjacent pond where the father's body was found. Sands' hat and a cloth which was also found were stained with blood. The witness Styles said he had seen his brother-in law with the knife produced. It was then perfect. Mr. May, surgeon, said the throats of the children were so seriously cut that they must have died in a few seconds. They might, however, have run a few yards. The injuries could not have been inflicted by the children themselves. The knife produced, though blunt, was capable of inflicting the wounds. It was very likely that death oc,airred thirty-six hours before the bodies were found. Mrs. Tunatell, landlady of the Lord Nelson Inn, Crayford, said Sands and the children called at the house on Thursday afternoon between three and four. When they left he asked the way to the church, and went up her garden with the children towards it. She did not see them again. Inspector Meering said there was no certain evidence as to how sands got to Grayford from Greenwich No tickets were found on him. The evidence relative to the father was then taken. The wife, Mrs. Susan F. Sands, said that on Thursday last, at 11.30 a m her husband left home with the three children, stating that hi) was going to take them for a walk. He did not speak of taking the youngest. He had taken the children out in Greenwich-park before. When he left he was low-spirited, and the witness afterwards learnt from the servant that he had been crying. He had been disappointed in the business, which he had only held ten days. As he did not return the witness became anxious, but she did not inform the police till Friday morning. Sands was very fond of the children and was a good husband and father. Before entering the," Nile "he was eight weeks out of any employment. Oa the Saturday night the cu'atomers were so noisy and troublesome that her husband was very much worried, and he said that he wished he could see his way to leave the house before another Saturday night came. He invested all his savings In the beerhouse. Henry Barham, gardener, Bexley-heath, said that at six o'clock on Friday morning he found the body of Richard Sands in a pond at May-place, CraYford, about forty yards from where the children were discovered. Policeconstable Saville pulled the body out, and it was then found that the throat was cut. A penknife unstained, a silver watch and gold chain, £l5 in money, and a private letter were found on the deceased. There were marks of blood on the clothing. Alfred Rouse, letter carrier, said that at about 8.16 on Thursday evening he saw Sands sitting on a bank near the pond. He was sober. He had his hat on. When the witness spoke to him he had his face resting on his hands. The witness saw no children. There was no blood about Sands, and his hands were clean. Mr May, surgeon, said Sands's hands were scratched, as if from a penknife. None of the larger vessels near the throat were severed. The witness thought he had been dead four hours. The injuries on the throat seemed self-inflicted, and were not necessarily fatal. The jury returned a verdict "that the three children had been wilfully murdered by their father, Richard Sands, who had afterwards committed suicide while of unsound mind."