North Devon Journal: Thursday 27 February 1845
Poole: Within the past week a most revolting case of child murder has occurred in this neighbourhood. The particulars are as follow:-
On Thursday morning last a female servant named Christopher, who has been living for about a week or ten days at Mr Charles Collins's, was suddenly taken ill, and having gone to the back of the premises for a little while, she returned and went up stairs to bed. Her appearance during the time she had lived in the family having been such as to cause considerable suspicion, a strict search was made about the premises; on searching in the privy, the body of a newly-born infant was found lying in the soil, with its throat cut in a very shocking manner. A coroner's inquest was held on the body at the "King William IV" at Parkstone, and adjourned to the next day, to afford time for additional evidence. On Friday the jury met again at the Guildhall, in this town, and the matter having been duly investigated, a verdict of "Wilful Murder" was declared against Betsey Christopher. On Saturday the unhappy young woman was lodged in the borough gaol, preparatory to her removal to Dorchester.
Death, Mar qtr 1845: Female CHRISTOPHER, Poole 8 55
