kean's lifestyle disrupted his career. as a result of his relationship with charlotte cox, the wife of a london city council member, kean was sued by mr cox for criminal conversation (adultery). kean was ordered to pay £800 to mr cox by a jury that only discussed for just 10 minutes. "the times" launched a violent attack on him. the decision in the criminal conversation case of cox v. kean on 17 january 1825 caused his wife to leave him, and caused him to have such bitter feeling that he was boo-ed and attacked with fruits when he re-appeared at drury lane and nearly decided to retire permanently into private life. for many years, he lived at keydell house, horndean.