13 SEPTEMBER 1856, Page 8

A peculiarly shocking murder near Leeds, perpetrated on Thursday, formed

the subject of an investigation before a Coroner and Jury yesterday. John Hannah had lived with Jane Benham, a married woman, whose hus- band, an "equestrian," is in Australia. For some reason she left Hannah last Christmas, and returnekto her calling—as a dancer in a strolling com- pany. Hannah saw her at a public-house at Armley, near Leeds, on Thurs- day: he wished to induce her to return to him. Filing in that, he reso- lutely cut her throat, and walked away. A few minutes before, her father had left her ; he was waiting the result of the interview outside. "When I saw her standing outside the door of the Malt-mill, with her throat cut, I had her youngest child in my arms, and was so horror-stricken that I could do nothing. I moved abont, and Mrs. Myers, with whom I lodged, took the deceased back into the house, I never saw her again alive." Hannah was soon arrested. Ile did not deny the crime, but pleaded that he was drunk. Verdict, " Wilful Murder."