Crim con

In the same court, an action was brought by Mr Taunton, an eminent attorney, against Mr Wyborne, a barrister, who is also a married man, for criminal conversation with the plaintiff's wife. The parties both reside in Essex street. The plaintiff has been married about four years, and has several children. It was proved that Mr and Mrs Taunton lived together in great domestic happiness till 1808, when the criminal intercourse with the defendant began to take place.

It appeared, that last spring a room in New Boswell street was taken by the defendant under a fictitious name, at which the parties very frequently met; and it was observed by the neighbours, that while they were together the shutters were closed. The suspicions of the husband were confirmed by a note which Mrs Taunton dropped, addressed to her paramour under his assumed name of Jones.

The defendant, in mitigation of damages, attempted to prove that the plaintiff's conduct was grossly immoral, and that he used his wife extremely ill; but these allegations were contradicted by other witnesses.

Lord Ellenborough expressed great indignation at the defence which Wyborne had set up, and which seemed such a tissue of falsehood and slander as to exceed the crime for which he was prosecuted. He said he was a disgrace to the profession to which he belonged.

Damages 8000l.*

* equivalent today to £451,771.43