COLLAPSE IN DOCK

Greymouth Evening Star, 22 July 1927, Page 3

COLLAPSE IN DOCK

ACCUSED WOMAN OVERCOME. (Special to "Star.”) CHRISTCHURCH, July 21. Collapsing suddenly in the dock as Constable King entered the witness box to testify, an elderly woman, named Ethel Yensen, provided a dramatic interlude at. the Magistrate’s Court this morning. She appeared before E. D. Mosley, S.M., on three charges. ’file woman hud sobbed into her handkerchief at intervals during the earlier evidence, but apparently the appearance of the brawny constable, with the blue uniform and glittering buttons, proved ihe last straw. He had barely littoral a. word, when Yensen went down in ■. heap. She had pleaded not guilty to the first, charge of stealing ss, the property of Ernest March. The second Jhargt, that she broke her prohibition oi del. was read out. "How do you plead?” asked the clerk. On the second repetition of the quesioi> .the woman, temporarily removng her handkerchief, muttered: 1 had that drink, yes 1 had that drink. The third charge was that Yensen was deemed to be an idle and disorderly person, in that she occupied a house frequented by reputed thieves, and persons with no visible lawful means of support. The Magistrate: On this charge she has been convicted, hasn't she?

Sub-inspector J. Mathew: Yes, she was convicted by Mr. La wry and ordered to come up for sentence when called upon. “I am the manageress of a tearoom and cake shop in Manchester Street, owned by March,” said Ivy Kirkwood. “The money is kept in a till under the counter. There was about 5s in. the till yesterday. I saw the accused. She said that she had taken .he money. She went down on her knees, and begged me to let her off, saying she would give back the 5s if I would not <-all the police. Siib-lnspocfor Mathew: But you did call flic police.

Witness: Yes. Is this th<- first lime tire till has been robbed ?—No. Maitland Archer told the Court that he was in the shop and saw Yensen behind the counter. He asked her what she wanted. She said she was looking for a cup of tea. She then admitted that, she was guilty. Constable Arthur King next took the oath.

Sub-Inspector Mathew: You called in March’s shop yesterday afternoon? —Yes.

It was at this moment that a scuffling sound came from the dock, and the woman vanished from view. Sergeant Kelly, court orderly, and the police matron did what they could. Yensen commenced to utter moans, the gasps rising in steadily crescendo sounds.. Without her recovering consciousness, Sergeant- Kelly removed her to the prisoners' room. The Magistrate: She had better be remanded for a week on all charges. Remanded to July 28. It is verj hard to know what, to do with eases like this.