The action for libel brought by Mr. Scrutton against Miss Helen Taylor for statements made in connection with St. Paul's Industrial School, came to an end somewhat suddenly yesterday week, a verdict for £1000, without costs, being taken by consent. Mr. Clarke said he felt he would be in a position, at the end of the trial, upon the evidence he could have produced, to ask for a verdict on the plea of justification. Mr. Russell said that Mr. Scrutton's character had been completely vindicated, and he admitted that the defendant had acted from a sense of duty. Mr. Justice Hawkins expressed his approval of the course taken by the parties, inasmuch as in his opinion the defendant would have failed to support her pleas of justification and of privilege. The evidence which had been given established nothing more than that discipline had been maintained in the school, and as to the dietary it was impossible to say that it was cruel or amounted to a system of semi-starvation. It was due to the defendant to give her credit for having acted honestly, upon materials which were, however, insufficient.

Source: The Illustrated London News, July 8, 1882, p.43