In a previous article I featured the details of the murder of Mr. Shepherd, which took place in December, 1832.

At the inquest into his death it was suggested that a man named Samuel Newland may have been the perpetrator of the crime, and the police set about trying to trace him with a view to arresting him on suspicion of the murder of Mr. Shepherd – whose name it transpired had been misspelt in the original newspaper reports, as it was, in fact, Sheppard.

The Evening Mail, in its edition of Wednesday the 19th of December, 1832, provided an update on the case:-

THE MURDER OF MR. HENRY SHEPPARD

Yesterday the most intense interest was excited in the neighbourhood of Clerkenwell and Hatton-garden Police office, in consequence of the report that Samuel Newland, who was suspected of having murdered Mr. Henry Camp Sheppard, late clerk to Mr. Williams, soap-boiler, of Compton-street, Clerkenwell, had been apprehended; and the avenues leading to the court were excessively thronged with the inhabitants, who manifested the utmost anxiety to be present at the examination.

At about 2 o’clock the prisoner, who is between 17 and 18 years of age, of short stature, and possessing a countenance and manners indicative of the reverse of desperation, was brought into the court smiling, and tripped into the bar.

The place was immediately crowded to suffocation.

INSPECTOR PERRY’S TESTIMONY

Inspector Perry, of the division of police, being sworn, deposed, that the prisoner was formerly in the employ of Mr. Williams, soap-boiler, of Compton-street, in whose service the deceased, Mr. Sheppard, was, but he was discharged for dishonest practices.

Since that period he had been in the service of Mr. Wilcox, boot and shoemaker, of Tottenham Court Road, to take care of his horse and gig.

ARRESTED BY THE POLICE

It having keen stated before the Coroner and jury who sat on Monday last that the prisoner was seen lurking about the premises, and that the deceased had forbidden his visits, and that some suspicion rested upon him, the witness, in company with another officer, named Asher, proceeded to the residence of Mr. Wilcox, and took him into custody, at about 8 o’clock on Monday evening.

They did not tell him upon what charge they wanted him, but merely said that they were officers.

On arriving at Rosoman Street station-house they mentioned the circumstance of Mr. Sheppard’s murder, on which he appeared surprised, and said that it was the first he had heard of it.

They proceeded to his lodgings, where they found a seal. It appeared in the evidence before the Coroner that the deceased’s watch, chain, and a seal were missing, together with a gilt sixpence, and on showing the seal to the persons in the employ of Mr. Williams, they all agreed that it resembled the one which Mr. Sheppard was in the habit of wearing in his life-time.

Mr. Laing: “Did you find any clothes?”

STRONG SUSPICION

Perry replied that the jacket which the prisoner was in the habit of wearing was not found, and that circumstance, coupled with the possession of the seal resembling the deceased’s, was viewed with strong suspicion.

It also appeared that about three weeks ago the prisoner had called upon Mr. Sheppard, who refused to see him, and he left the place surly and muttering.

On further inquiry they ascertained that on Saturday night last the prisoner received his wages from Mr. Wilcox, and took them home to his mother in Charles-street, Hampstead-road, when he told her that he was not going to sleep at home that night.

He then wore the jacket which he generally wore In the business.

He also told her that he intended sleeping in the stable that night.

A GIFT FROM HIS BROTHER

The prisoner said that his brother had given him the seal, and he was in attendance ready to prove that fact, and that he had seals of the same make and impression.

As to his jacket, that was at home now, and he expected that his mother would have brought it to the office before that time.

He said that it was not unusual for him to sleep in the stable with the horse, and Mr. Wilcox was there prepared to prove so, and he regretted that he should have been so unfortunate as to have slept in it on that particular night.

HAD HIS CLOTHES BEEN EXAMINED?

Mr. Laing inquired whether the prisoner’s clothes had been carefully examined, to ascertain whether any marks of blood were upon them.

Perry replied that they had; but none were found.

INSUFFICIENT GROUNDS

The prisoner, who appeared affected, in the most positive manner declared his innocence, and said that the officers had overlooked his jacket in their search.

The officers mentioned another fact, of the prisoner having, after he delivered his wages to his mother on the Saturday evening, passed by Howland Street, which is some distance from Mr. Wilcox’s house, at a late hour.

After a short investigation, Mr. Laing did not conceive that there were sufficient grounds to detain the prisoner on the charge, and he was liberated, after an admonition to keep good hours and sleep at his own lodging.

THE VICTIM’S BODY REMOVED

Yesterday morning the remains of the above unfortunate gentleman were deposited in a shell and carried to the house of a relative, who is an undertaker in Eastcheap, city.

The friends of the deceased have offered a reward for the apprehension of the murderer, and yesterday the Government reports announced the murder with a reward.

The deceased never married.

The deceased, it appears, must have held up both arms to ward off the blows of his assailant, both his arms being broken.