BEETLE IN LOAF OF BREAD

Dominion, Volume 30, Issue 113, 6 February 1937, Page 18

BEETLE IN LOAF OF BREAD

Woman Awarded Damages A woman who alleged that she found a beetle in a piece of bread she was eating was recently awarded £l4 damages, with costs, at West London County Court. Mrs. Ellen Heyfron, aged 56. sued A. and B. Hemmings, Ltd., bakers and confectioners. The case had been remitted from the High Court, Mr. F. liallis, for plaintiff, said that the beetle was found iu a loaf bought in defendant’s shop in Queen's Crescent, Kentish Town, on May 4. When she saw tlie insect she fainted. Mrs. Heyfron was a midwife's assistant, and also earned her living by means of taking in washing. For about 22 weeks she was unable to face her work. Dr. Anthony Dias said that before May 6 Mrs. Heyfron never suffered from nerves. She visited him once a week until September 21. He gave her weekly certificates that she was suffering from nervous debility and was not fit to work. Replying to Mr. R. T. Monier-Wil-liams, defending, Dr. Dias said that he was present when Mrs. Heyfron was examined by Dr. Lorraine, ou June 20. Mr. Mouier-Williams: Did you agree with Dr. Lorraine that her neurosis, if any, was purely a “compensation” one?—l did agree to a certain extent. You agreed she would recover immediately the compensation was paid? —Yes, I think I did. If anybody had come along in May witli a couple of pounds and said: "Here is compensation for seeing a black beetle,” she would have been all right?—l could not say that. Dr. Joseph Lorraine, called for A. and B. Hemmings, said that when he examined Mrs. Heyfron, there was a tremor of the outstretched hands which was not seen when lier attention was distracted. That gave him the impression that it was, assumed. He saw nothing wrong with her clinically a,t the time, and he thought she was fit for work. In evidence. Mrs. Heyfron said that as a result vi the beetle incident her nerves and appetite were poor, and she could not bear to eat bread. Her average weekly earnings were £l. Mr. Monier-Williams said he could not disprove that the beetle was in the bread. Judge Hargreaves, who said that he sympathised with Mrs. Heyfron, gave judgment for £4 in respect of loss of wages, and £lO general damages—£l4 in all —witli costs.