GIRLS KEPT ON SHELF.

Manawatu Times, Volume LXV, Issue 2023, 12 September 1913, Page 3

GIRLS KEPT ON SHELF.

"CROUCHING CROSS-LEGGED AS IF IN A CAGE."

London, August 1

An almost incredible story of two ciiliren, 6aid to have been "kept like animals, was toll to the Birming am magistrates in a cmelty case yesterday. Dr. Broughton, of LaDgley Green, an i inspector Hobden, N.S. P. CO., said two young children were on different occasions found cotcnicg cross legged on a shelf in a recess by the kitchen lire pla^.e. "Their arms were also c ossed," Mr Broughton ad ed, "and their han s resting on ttie shoulders." From what he c uIJ see, f r ey had practically gr wn like that as a result of remaining habitually in that jostion. "They were crouching on t e s elf li ke a couple if animals," he declarer), and added that irstitotioDal treatment woold be require' before tceir legs were straig: tena ". Dr Mold, of Quinton, said when he tried to straighten the leg of one of the girls she cried, and, on being rpl ased, the limb went back to the former position. T ese two fcirls Daisy, aged tree and Ivy, age two, were, wit'i another, Slke, agad five, the children of William Sharpe, a man iiviug at Ridgacre Lane, Quinton, who was now prosecuted for causing t em unnecessary sofferiug. The solicitor for the N.S.P.CO. declared t.at the youngsters were kept on a si elf as if iu a cage.

S arpe was sent to hard labou for four moot 8