Evening News
London, U.K.
22 August 1888

THE WHITECHAPEL STABBING CASE.

COMMITTAL OF THE ACCUSED.

To-day, before Mr. Lushington, at the Thames Police-court, Richard Patterson, [28], described as a dock labourer, no home, was brought up on remand, charged with attempting to murder his wife, Annie Patterson, by stabbing her with a carving knife, on June 26, at 18, Grove-street, Whitechapel. He was further charged with attempting to kill and slay John Barry by stabbing him with the same knife at the same time and place.

Detective-inspector E. Reid, H division, watched the case for the Criminal Investigation Department.

Mrs. Patterson, recalled, deposed on the day in question she came home very drunk, picked up a plate and flung it at her husband. He picked up a lamp and threw it at her. Witness went out the first thing next morning and did not return until the evening. She then found the door shut, whereupon she burst it open. The accused and his little boy Richard, came up the stairs, and witness spat in her husband's face several times. He then hit her with his hands, and she threw several cups at him. Prisoner then went downstairs and shortly afterwards returned with witness's brother, John Barry. The accused then went to a cupboard and took out a carving knife. She did not see any more or feel anything. She was cut four times-once on the finger, twice on the face, and also once on the arm, but she expected she got that when she tried to protect herself. Her husband inflicted the wounds. The police came and took her to the London Hospital. Witness did not know what became of her husband. She was in the hospital a fortnight in consequence of the injuries she received. The accused was very drunk, and witness was as bad.

John Barry also deposed that the prisoner's wife complained to him of her husband's illusage, and witness said if he wanted to hit her he might use his hands. Prisoner then got a carving knife, and witness said, "What have you got that for, Dick?" The accused then stabbed him in the jaw with it. His sister screamed, and then the prisoner struck her with the knife. Witness received eight wounds. Prisoner kept on stabbing him and his sister, and they were afterwards taken to the London Hospital. Witness was there for four weeks. The accused said nothing when he attacked them.

Mr. G. [S. Ciddings], house-surgeon at the London Hospital, stated the prosecutrix was brought in the hospital about a quarter-past eight on the night of June 26. He found over the lower part of the left side of the face a clean-cut wound 2in. in length and ½in. in depth, which bled profusely. Over the chin on the left side was a punctured wound [1¼in.] in length [extending] down to the jaw, [baring] and splintering the [bone]. On the outer side of the left forearm, just below the [elbow], there was a punctured wound, 1in. in length. On the middle finger of the left hand was a transverse wound in the fold of the last joint, ½in. in length. On Barry he found a wound on the left shoulder, going under the skin for [6in.] and appearing through the skin at the back. In front of the left ear was a wound 1in. in length, extending downwards 2½in. There was a [lacerated] wound 2½in. in length on the left cheek, extending down to another wound which was on the left side of the lower lip. On the [center] of the forehead was an [incised] wound, 1½in. long, and ½in. in depth. Between the thumb and forefinger of the left hand was an incised wound with a scratch extending over the back of the hand. On the [inner side] of the right wrist was a punctured wound.

Constable [39 H] said on the [15th] last, accused came to the [Arbour-square] Police-station and said "I am the man you are looking for. I am Richard Patterson. I give myself up. I am tired of walking about."

Mr. Lushington committed the prisoner for trial.