INCORRIGIBLE GIRL

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21562, 5 August 1933, Page 2 (Supplement)

INCORRIGIBLE GIRL

SCENE IN COURT STRUGGLE WITH POLICEMEN LIVELY PASSAGE TO CELLS Some of tho tricks associated with the famous Houdini are known also to a 14-ycar-old English schoolgirl, who forced a way. out of locked windows, and dofied all authority in a remand home to which sho was sent. Tho despair of tho matron in that home, sho was remanded to Holloway Prison on a charge of wandering, and then, brought boforo the magistrates at Southend, became subsequently tho central figure in a romarkablo scene. Ordered to a reformatory for three years, at first tho girl accepted the punishment without demur, but, summoned as a witness in another case, was transformed into a tornado of violence. It was as much as three big policemen could do to carry her struggling and screaming to tho cells, where her shouts penetrated to tho street adjoining. So demure, composed and well-be-haved had the girl been in her remand appearances before tho Bench that her final outburst was as unexpected as it was disconcerting. For instance, sho had accepted wi.thout demur an order that she should go to Holloway Prison on remand, much, as the magistrates said, as they disliked taking this course with a girl who was only 14. Originally the girl was before the Court on a charge of wandering, having been found with a 16-year-old companion in tho front garden of a house half an hour after midnight. She had boon remanded to St. Monica's Home, Southend, and when she appeared in court again Inspector Harris stated tho St. Monica authorities could not lmvo her back as she was beyond control . Conduct at a House Tho clerk, however, pointed out that as tho institution was a Home Offico placo of detention, they must have her back—and back sho wont. Within a few hours tho girl had escaped, but was caught by a policeman in tho evening. Subsequently the matron of the homo told the Bench of tho girl's conduct there. The girl, sho explained, was first admitted last November, when sho was accompanied by her mother. Later, she went to a relative at Croydon. When the girl was sent to the homo by the Bench she and another girl were very troublesome and tried to influence the other girls to bo disobedient. " This girl," said the matron, indicating accused, " attempted to get out of a window, but was caught in the act by ono of .my assistants. 1 had that window fastened up with screws top and bottom, but somehow sho managed to got tho screws out. " Therefore I had to get a car neuter to fasten up all the windows. While [ was out visiting the girl clambered over tho wall and got away. Sho was brought back next day, and has been generally unmanageable ever- since. When sho returned from a walk with tho other girls she refused to giyo up her walking shoes to tho person in charge, and I had to wrestle with her in order to get them back. She created a terrible disturbance, and people living near complained of the noise. People even collected in the street. Paroxysm of Temper "Subsequently she went off again, but tho police brought hor back. She was put to bed and her clothes were taken away and she was not allowed to have them again until just before she was brought to court." On that evidenco tho girl was committed to Holloway Prison on a brief remand, and then made her final appearance before the .magistrates, who decided that sho must go to a reformatory for three years. Uncomplainingly she* went out of court to the cells. A short time later she was brought back to give evidenco against a soldier from Shoeburyness who, she alleged, had assaulted her. The Bench dismissed this charge, and then tho girl flew into a paroxysm of temper and rfigG» 11 You Rive mo thrco venrs and let him off scot free,"'she screamed. " If 1 could get hold of him I'd murder him." All attempts to persuade the girl to go quietly from court failed, and when three policemen seized her to carry her across the court to the cells again sho struggled and kicked and screamed. Sccufelv locked in a cell, the girl persisted 'in shouts of defiance, and the noise could be plainly heard by pedestrians in the street outsido.