NUISANCE TO RELATIVES

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22356, 29 February 1936, Page 3 (Supplement)

NUISANCE TO RELATIVES

WOMAN'S STRANGE BEHAVIOUR

Sincere regret was expressed by the niece of Laay Yarrow, widow of Sir Alfred Yarrow, the shipbuilder, when conduct which was attributed to "an overwrought state of mind" caused her to appear at the Old Bailey, London, recently. On the charge of publishing defamatory libels concerning her aunt, the woman before the Court, Mrs. Maud Lindsay Winckworth, aged 40, of Milton House, Milton, near Cambridge, was bound over in £IOO for two years. She also gave an undertaking not to repeat the libels or molest her relations. Mr. Norman Birkett, K.C., prosecuting, stated that Mrs. Winckworth was the eldest daughter of the sister of Ladv Yarrow, and she had two children, aged 15 and eight. Lady Yarrow had most reluctantly been compelled to bring these proceedings, but there was never a; time in her life when she had any desire to punish Mrs. Winckworth or do her the slightest injury. Lady Yarrow had brought the proceedings in order to put a stop to an intolerable nuisance. There was not a word of truth in the allegations made.

Lady Yarrow had provided all the funds for the education of Mrs. Winckvrorth's children, and was anxious to tiinue to do so if Mrs. Winckworth did their education, but it was extremely difficult to continue if Mrs. Winckworth V behaviour continued. So far from desiring to do the smallest injury, Lady Yarrow was only too anxious to assist Mrs. Winckworth, and would contiune to do so if Mrs. Winckworth did her part bv not pursuing that course of conduct. Mr. Birkett added he understood Mrs. Winckworth had expressed the greatest contrition, and Lady Yarrow was anxious for the judge to bind her niece over.

Mr. Anthony Hawke, for Mrs. Winckworth, suggested the letters were written at a time when Mrs. Winckworth was in a very overwrought frame of mind. She realised that the letters should never have been sent. She wished to express her very sincere regret not only for having written the letters but for any pain or suffering caused to Lady Yarrow as a result of receiving them. The mere fact that Mrs. Winckworth had to stand in the Old Bailey dock must be a very grave lesson to her.

Giving his decision, the Recorder, Sir Holman Gregory, K.C., told Mrs. "Winck•jvorth: "I don't know whether you appreciate that at this moment I could send you away for a long term of imprisonment. lam about to take a lenient course with you arid hind you over to, be of good behaviour for two years. If you behave yourself during "that time you will hear no more of this trouble. If you don't you will be brought before me, and it will be my dutv to send you to prison." From the dock Mrs. "Winckworth gave an undertaking not to repeat the libels or molest her relations. Lady Yarrow remained outside the court during the hearing.