“THE WOMAN IS MAD.”

Star (Christchurch), Issue 16307, 23 December 1920, Page 7

“THE WOMAN IS MAD.”

UVELY CASE IN MAGISTRATE’S COURT.

ASSAULT, DAMAGE AND LIQUOR.

“ This is what she pulled out I That cauio from my head!” So said Margaret Bniycre, keeper of a second-hand shop, producing in the Magistrate’s Court.this morning from a peggy-bag a handful of hair. The incident occurred before Mr SE. M’Carthy, S.M., during tho hearing of a case against Mary Joyce, alias Jones, a middle-aged woman, who was charged with (1; disorderly behaviour while drunk in Barbadoos Street; (2) assaulting Charlotte Bniyerc; (3) procuring liquor during tho currency of a prohibition order;’ (4) assaulting Bora Brown; (5) wilfully damaging four panes of glass valued at £4, the property of Charlotte Bniycre; and (6) wilfully damaging crockery valued at £5, belonging to Henry Savage, .. Accused became both voluble and indignant as the charges against her were read out, alleging that she had acted in self defence, and, in fact, had been very badly treated. Inspector Dew said that after absence for some time from Savage’s bouse, where she had boon living, accused returned in a drunken state and committed in the vicinity the offences complained of. She became angry because she found another woman in possession. Charlotte. Bniycre, tho keeper of a second-hand shop at 222, Kilmoro Street, an elderly woman with a swollen and inflamed'eye, said Dora Brown ran into her shop for protection, chased by accused.

“Go easy,” said Inspector Den*, as witness became excited in. the recital of her narratin’.

Witness: I’ll go easy, thank vou!

Witness added that at the door of her shop accused struck Brown. Accused then pot hold of witness hy tho head and pulled her to tho ground. “ This is what sho pulled out!” said witness, producing a handful of hair from a peggy bag. “ That came from my head!” She added that tho injury to her eye had been done by accused.

Then Savage arrived, added witness. Mitness said, “Is no one going to help a defensible woman?” Accused broke tho windows mentioned in the charge. Witness .did not know whether accused was drunk or sober. She had had no dealings with her—she was 11 out of her lino altogether.” ‘ Accused entered upon a voluble tirado, chiefly concerning another woman, a bottle of whisky and a poker. “The woman is mad!” said witness, decidedly.

Henry Savage, on whoso behalf Mr i. P. «). Amodeo appeared, said that about three months ago accused was keeping house for him. When he returned to it yesterday ho found almost all tho crockery broken. A conservative estimate of the damage done would bo £o. It had been done by accused. Accused alleged that she had received an insulting letter from Savage. She was “ail black as the result of Savage’s attentions. On the various charges accused was sentenced ns follows :—(l) Three months’ imprisonment; (2) two mouths’ (3) one month’s imprisonment ; (5) one month’s imprisonment ; (6) two months’ imprisonment; the sentences to cumulative, and with hard labour. The fourth charge was withdrawn, as no evidence on it was offered.