SCREAMS OF TERROR

Evening Star, Issue 19549, 6 May 1927, Page 1

SCREAMS OF TERROR

ALLEGED CRUELTY TO SERVANT GIRL Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright, LONDON, May 5. (Received May 6, at noon.) An extraordinary story oi cruelty to a feeble-minded servant girl, extending over three years, was revealed when .Alfred Beccroft and his wife were charged with inflicting bodily harm. It was alleged that the girl took service with the Beocrofts in 1923, and since then had been starved and given no wages. She was hit on the head and body with a poker, thrown on the ground, and held by Beecrolt while his wife stamped on her. She was terrified of everybody. 'The neighbors in their evidence said they had frequently heard terrified screams and shouts of “Murder. Don’t, don’t.” . A medical man said that when she was admitted to the hospital the girl’s body was a mass of contusions and bruises. The court was invaded by crowds oi women, who hissed the defendants. When the magistrate committed them for.trial there was loud clapping in tho court, whereupon the magistrate appealed, “Bo British. Mait till you hear the other side before demonstrating.”