Pitiful Murderess

Auckland Star, Volume LXX, Issue 88, 15 April 1939, Page 9 (Supplement)

Pitiful Murderess

U7HEN 33-year-old Mrs. Annie II Newman, of Stratford, East London* leaves the Salvation Army home to which she was sent from the Old Bailey after pleading guilty to the manslaughter of her child of three, she will find that her husband has prepared a "nice little place" for her. Rarely has a more heartrending storybeen told at the Old Bailer than that which came to light when she appeared for her trial. Her counsel, Mr. J. F. Eastwood, K.C., called it the "saddest case in my expc^ionce. ,, With the approach of Christmas, Mrs. Xewman was a worried woman. Owing to the continuous illness of her children, she had got behind with the payment of rent and had had to pawn some of her husband's clothes. She went short of food herself to give her family the best meals she could provide. But what hurt her most was the plaintive cry of her four children, aged six, five, four and three—"What are we going to have for Christmas?" She well knew she could not afford to give them any presents. One day, when she had only sixpence in the house, she —rote a note saying she did not know what to do, and, taking her baby Phyllis, she walked on and on. Eventually she went over the bridge of a channel of the River Lea, and the child was later seen in the water. Xo one saw how Phyllis got there, but as a result Mrs. Xewman had to answer a charge of murder at the Old Bailey. She pleaded not guilty to that charge, but guilty to manslaughter, and she was bound over on the lesser charge on condition she entered a Salvation Army home. While she was there she was cheered by the knowledge that her children had some of the comforts she wag unable to provide, for many people subscribed to give them a Christmas

tree, toys and clothe*. On Christmas Dav, Joseph, six; Jean, £*•; and Edward, four; found their stockings filled to overflowing with gifts. The children are living with tbeii grandparents in Canning Town. Mr. Xewman, who is aged 32, had a trying time during recent weeks. While he* awaited his wife's trial, his hair turned grey in a night. "When I saw my wife «a the day of the trial, she looked better than at an? time in the past eight years,** ha told the Tress. That is what hospital care has done for her. She has been having treatment for epileptic fits. ••Although I miss her terribly and sh? misses me and the children, I do not want her to leave the home until I have obtained a nice new place for her. That is the least I can do, for she has bees a heroine. "Our troubles date from the day our first child was born six years ago. "If Annie has a fault, it is that she has been too good a wife and mother. She has sacrificed everything for the children. She neglected herself when iliey were ill, and taxed her strength beyond human endurance. "One of the children has been in hospital off and on for three years, and three times a week she has pushed the other children in a perambulator four miles to the hospital. For a long time she should have been under a doctor's care herself, but we could not afford one. "How she has suffered only she eoald tell, but she will not speak. X have never heard her complain. "My wage as a casual labourer varies from £2 5/ to £2 15/ a week, hot for six months of the year T am unr.mployed. When out of work I get £2 a week from the dole, but I would far sooner work for the extra 5/. "Wo pay 11/ a week rent, leaving only 29/ to feed and clothe a family of six when I am on the dole. So you can sec what a struggle Annie has had. Hut, despite their illnesses, the children are a credit to her. She has been a real brick.**