From the Maidstone Telegraph, Rochester and Chatham Gazette, 16 November 1861.

Greenwich. Extraordinary Charge of Murder.

On Tuesday, George Inkpen, a young man 20 years of age, described as a hammerman, of 37, Amelia Terrace, Dartford, was charged at the Greenwich police-court, with attempting to commit suicide or throwing himself into the Surrey canal, in company with Margaret Edwards, who was drowned.

Inspector Ellis, B division, sent from information received he went, at 10:30 on Monday night, to a house in Amelia Terrace, Deptford, where he saw the prisoner. Witness took him out, and on proceeding up the street questioned him concerning the deceased being in the canal, and asked if he could point out the spot, when he said he would tell him all about it.

The prisoner then said he had been to a race or a running match in London that day, and they got out at the railway station, High Street, Deptford, that evening, and that after going to the house of Bennett, a barber, he proceeded to the "Lord Duncan" public house, New Cross Road, and had something to drink. While they're the deceased, who lived in the neighbourhood as domestic servants, entered for the family's supper beer, when he spoke to her, and they went out together. She then wished him to drink some of the beer, which he did, and she drank some also, and then they finished the whole of it. Having done this the prisoner remarked that the deceased said, "It is no use living, my friends are always nagging me;" adding, "Will you follow me?"

He replied, "Yes, where ever you go I will go;" and that stay then turned down the Mornington Road, and went together to the Surrey canal, where the deceased asked him if he had got a handkerchief.

He replied he had; but she said it would not be long enough to go round them both. He then said he has got some bootlaces, which he had bought in London, and that, on her saying they would do, they tied themselves together.

Previous to entering the water the deceased said, "I do not think I should sink," but he asked her why she said so and she replied, "Because of my crinoline."

The prisoner then said they both got into the canal and rolled over and over; she soon turned, but did not for some time sink. The bootlaces breaking, he got on the opposite side, and tried to save her, but not being able to do so, he got into the canal again, swam across, and returned home.

Witness and the prisoner then proceeded towards the canal bank, and asking the prisoner if he felt himself better, he replied, "I was very bad, and she had to hold me up, but I am all right now, and if I had been as well a while ago I should not have done this."

Witness asking if he had been drinking, and he said he had been drinking freely. The prisoner then pointed out to the spot where they first entered the water, and the drag having been procured, the body of deceased was found and brought ashore.

The prisoner said her name was Margaret Edwards, and that he had been keeping company with her 3 years. Prisoner appeared anxious to see the body of deceased, and, on allowing him to do so, he said it had made a great alteration in her features. Witness then took the prisoner to the police station, and the charge having been taken he said he would give him his word that what he had done told him was the truth.

Witness assisted in taking the body of the deceased to the dead house, examining it to see if there were any bootlaces or handkerchief tied around it, but could find neither. There was a bruise on the left temple. On going to the prisoners house witness saw some wet clothes in the room. This being the whole of the evidence.

A friend of the prisoner inquired the nature of the charge against him.

Mr. Triall said it would resolve itself into a charge of murder against the prisoner, the prisoner was remanded.