| Reference Number | t18710710-560 |
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| Verdict | Guilty > unknown |
| Sentence | Imprisonment |
| Related Material |  |
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| Actions | Cite this text Old Bailey Proceedings Online (www.oldbaileyonline.org, version 8.0, 04 December 2023), July 1871, trial of CHARLES DE BADDELEY (41) SARAH DE BADDELEY (37) (t18710710-560). | Print-friendly version | Report an error |
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560. CHARLES DE BADDELEY (41), and SARAH DE BADDELEY (37), Unlawfully supplying a certain noxious drug, to wit, Ergot of Rye, knowing that it was intended to procure the miscarriage of a woman.
MESSRS. POLAND, G. S. GRIFFITHS, and BEASLEY conducted the Prosecution;
and MR. MONTAGU WILLIAMS the Defence.
MR. MONTAGU WILLIAMS contended that there was no case to go to the Jury, the application for the drug being only a contrivance of the police to ascertain what business was carried on by the prisoners, there being really no person in existence who intended to take it; and that the police and the aunt were accomplices
and required corroboration. MR. GRIFFITHS submitted that the question was what was passing in the prisoner's minds at the time they supplied the drug, and that if they believed that it was intended to be used for the purpose of causing a miscarriage, they would be guilty, just as a person would be convicted of forging the name of another person not in existence; and, further, that to make the police accomplices, it must be shown that they had agreed to commit the offence; whereas they had agreed with the woman to detect crime if possible. THE COURT, (having consulted LORD CHIEF JUSTICE BOVILL and MR. BARON CHANNELL), overruled the objections.
GUILTY — Twelve Months' Imprisonment.