The Sun. — 1862-07-29 (London, England)

SOUTHWARK.—SINGULAR CHARGE OF ATTEMPTED SUICIDE.—Mary Atley, alias Griffith, a decent-looking woman, poorly clad, was brought before Mr. Burcham, charged with attempting to commit suicide at London-bridge. Police-constable Reed, 235 M, said that about two o'clock on Sunday morning he was on duty in Wellington-street, London-bridge, when he received information that a woman had run down the steps of London-bridge towards the river. Witness instantly went in that direction, and fortunately caught hold of the prisoner just as she was in the act of throwing herself into the river, and he then took her into custody. Mr. Burcham asked if he knew anything about her.  Witness replied that he did. About one o'clock the same morning he was called to a poor lodginghouse in Queen-street, Mint, where the prisoner and her three young children resided, and was then told that she bad attempted to murder her youngest child. The prisoner had left tthe house, but the child was shown to him, and he distinctly saw marks of fingers on its neck. He believed that the prisoner ran from the house, and meditated suicide, thinking that she had actually murdered her child. After she was locked up he understood that she was a widow, and had not the means of supporting her family.  Mr. Townson, one of the relieving officers of St. George's parish, who happened to be in court specially at the request of Mr. Collinson, the chairman of the guardians, here informed his worship that he knew the prisoner as receiving relief from their parish. He had, however, to deny that she was a widow, and although the children were illegitimate, he had not only granted them extra relief, but had offered to take them all into the workhouse, which latter course she refused to adopt. Witness relieved her twice in the early and the middle parts of the week, and on Saturday she would have received a further supply for herself and family had she applied to the relieving officer. She was completely destitute of friends or the means of earning her livelihood, therefore the guardians considered it better for her to enter the workhouse until something better could be done for her. The prisoner here said that she was extremely sorry for what she had done. She would never attempt such a rash act again. She was driven to it through distress. Mr. Burcham told her he could not believe that after tha statement made by Mr. Townson. He and his brother magistrate were well aware of the kindness and humanity of that officer to wards the poor who came under his notice, and it must have been her fault if she allowed herself and children to be in extreme want. Why did she attempt to injure her infant. She replied that she did not do anything of the kind, but she was in great distress of mind. Mr. Burcham asked her if she was willing to enter the workhouse with her children ? She replied that she was, and would thank his worship for his kindness.  Mr. 'Townson at once gave her an order for the immediate reception of herself and family, and informed his worship that he would see that they were all taken proper care of. The prisoner was then liberated, and left the court with one of the officers.  2HE