Monday, 13 August 1888
At the Thames Police Court, London, on Saturday, John Henry Marler, aged thirty-two, a sailor on board the brig, Albert, now lying off the Isle of Dogs, was charged with attempting to murder Mary Jane Pascod on board that vessel. - The prosecutrix stated that she came to London from Shields with the prisoner. Between ten and 10.30 on Friday night, on board the vessel, the prisoner caught her by the throat, threw her on to the deck, and threatened to stab her with a knife. The previous night he had threatened her. At Shields, the prisoner asked her to come to London, and said he would then marry her. She was afraid of him, and did not want to have anything more to do with him. The witness, who was twenty years of age, came to London without her parents' knowledge or consent. - John Stacey, watchman at the wharf off which the Albert was lying, said on Friday night he saw the accused, who was the worse for drink. He said "Stop me from going on board that ship tonight. If I do I shall kill that woman". He afterwards got up and went on board the Albert. The witness saw him catch hold of the prosecutrix and threaten to stab her. He raised the knife and the witness caught hold of his arm. - It was stated that the young woman was taken on board as a stowaway, and unknown to the captain. - Mr. Lushington sentenced the prisoner to six months' hard labour, and directed the inspector to telegraph to the young woman's friends.