Alfred Louis Pons de Vidil, commonly known as The Baron Vidil was the son of a glove maker and had been ennobled by Louis Phillipe. In 1861 he was an attaché at the French Embassy and associated with the Duc d’Aumale, then living at Orleans House.

His wife had died some years before, leaving her considerable estate to their only son Alfred.  This would revert to Vidil in the event of his son dying before him, but apparently he needed the money now.

In June, 1861, out riding with his son near the White Swan public house on Twickenham’s riverside, he attacked and wounded his son with a riding whip. He fled to France but was persuaded to return to England and was tried and convicted for the assault, deemed to be attempted murder, at the Old Bailey on 23 August.

 He was sentenced to 12 months hard labour. His son refused to testify against his father and was also sentenced to a term of imprisonment, for contempt of court.