The Proceedings of the Old Bailey

 

2483.   HANNAH WILLIAMS was indicated for feloniously cutting and wounding   James Newbold, on the neck and throat, with intent to murder him.—2nd COUNT, with intent to do him some grievous bodily harm.

MR. RYLAND conducted the Prosecution.

  JAMES NEWBOLD. I am a hammer-man, in service, at Rotherhithe—I kept company with the prisoner for some months—I have ceased to do so since Easter. On Monday, the 13th of Sept., I was at a beer-shop, in Rotherhithe-street—somebody brought me a message, and I went outside the house, and found the prisoner—she said the believed I was going to be married to another—I said I was—she said I should not—I told her she could not hinder it—she said she would, she would have her revenge either on me or the young lady—I said if she did, I would knock her d—d head off—I left her, went back into the house, and in about half an hour went out, and saw her again—she said she house, and in about half an hour went out, and saw her, went back towards my master's shop—she followed me towards the gates—I told her to follow me no further, if she did I would knock her d—d head off—no more words passed—I saw her make a cut at me, and felt a knife go across my throat—I bled, I went to a surgeon, and had my wound dressed.

Cross-examined by MR. CLARKSON. Q. Was not she in respectable service when you first made her acquaintance? A. I believe she was—I believe I prevailed on her to submit to my wishes—I used to go to see her at her master's—I borrowed no money of her; she gave it me, to take my clothes out of pawn—that was not because I had nothing but rags to cover me—sometimes she found me in food—I have been asked why I did not marry her—I did not answer "I have had connection with her, and it is not likely that I should marry her"—no such word ever passed out my mouth—words might have been said about marriage, but I did not promise her—I cannot say whether those words were said before I got possession of her person—on the day in question, she came to me at the public-house where I was at dinner—I left her outside, and went to my dinner—when I came out, in half an hour, I found her still waiting—she was in tears—I told her that my mates were staring at us, and if she did not go away I would knock her d—d head off—I did not raise my hand; I did nothing, I had my hands in my pocket—I did not intend to strike her—I did not see a knife in her hand—I did not see people outside the public-house eating bread and cheese—I do not know where the knife came from—I was close to her when I said I would knock her d—d head off—I then moved away towards the gates, and then she made the blow at me with the knife—I went to a surgeon's, and got it sown up, and a plaister put on it—I did not go to work again—the surgeon said I could not—I am very sorry to prosecute her—I never wished to do her any harm—I cannot marry her.

  GEORGE GARRETT. I am a hammer-man, employed in the same factory as Newbold. On Monday, the 13th of Sept., I had my dinner with him—we left the public-house together—I saw the prisoner as I came out—I saw her

and Newbold talking together, but did not hear what they said—he went on towards the gates—she followed him, saying something to him—he would not stop to listed to her, and I saw her a knife out of her pocket, and cut his throat—he was not bleeding much when I saw him—I believe there was a great deal of blood afterwards—I laid of the prisoner—she went with me—the knife fell on the pavement, and the policeman brought it to the station—it was very much like this—(produced.)

Cross-examined. Q. Were there people outside as well as inside the public-house taking the refreshment, and eating their dinners? A. Yes—he was a few paces before her—she was following him, and I was a few yards behind—I heard nothing that was said.

  PHILIP DONOVAN (policeman, M 208.) I was in Rotherhithe-street on the 13th of Sept., and met Garrett with the prisoner in his charge—he handed her over to Miller, who was with me—I produce the knife, which I received from the landlord of the public-house.

  JAMES MILLER (policeman, M 222.) I received the prisoner in charge from Garrett—in going to the station she said, in answer to some questions by the crowd, that she had brought the knife with her, in her pocket, from her mistress's house—I do not know where her mistress lived.

  BENJAMIN ACKLAND. I am a surgeon, at Rotherhithe. On Saturday, the 13th of Sept., the prosecutor was brought to me—I found a wound on the left side of his neck, nearly six inches long, and extending two and a half inches below the ear to the centre of the chin—in one place it was nearly half an inch deep—it was not a dangerous wound—it was a flesh wound—a knife would produce it—I attended him for about three weeks—he went on favourably.

Cross-examined. Q. You put some plaister on it, did you not? A. I stitched it up, and put plaister on it—it was unhealthy at first, which was the reason of its requiring longer attendance—that might be caused by the man's being given to drink.

  JAMES NEWBOLD re-examined. I was in company with the prisoner four days before this happened, and had been out with her—I was more than two months out of work, during which time she rendered me what assistance she could.

COURT. Q. Where did her mistress live? A. Near Kennington-common.

GUILTY of an assault. Aged 20.—Strongly recommended to mercy by the Jury.— Confined One Month

Before Mr. Justice Cresswell.