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Manchester Times

17 March 1877

Child Murder At Burnley

An inquest was held on Monday at Burnley touching the death of a newly-born female child which was found strangled in the house of Henry Woods, coalminer, Cliviger, near Burnley, on Thursday night. Dr. Burns said the child had lived, and that it had been strangled by a piece of velvet tied tightly round the neck, which tore the windpipe. The child was found in a bag on the wall by Inspector Weir. The mother was in bed, and afterwards admitted having killed the child. A verdict of "Wilful murder" was returned against Mrs. Woods.

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Mel

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Leeds Mercury

7 July 1877

Charge of Murder At Burnley

Henrietta Woods (17), dressmaker, was charged with the wilful murder of her child at Cliviger, near Burnley, on the 18th of March. The medical evidence failed to show that the child had had a separate existence, and the Judge directed the jury to acquit the prisoner of the capital offence, and to find her guilty of concealment of birth, against which there was no defence. - The prisoner was sentenced to six months' hard labour.

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Mel

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How sad, you have to wonder why she did it.

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Gloria

I'd be dangerous with a brain.

She was probably terrified poor lass.


Stephanie.