THREW VITRIOL

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 71, Issue 237, 6 October 1928, Page 14

THREW VITRIOL

ASSAULT ON FRIEND ANNOYED BY REMARKS An extraordinary story of a Glas|ow lamp-lighter who threw vitriol at i friend who had annoyed him by references to his facial appearance was toli at the Glasgow Sheriff Court. Joseph Dickson, Catherine Place, was sentenced to twelve months’ imprisonment with hard labour. Dickson pleaded guilty to the charge of having at Catherine Placej Glasgow, assaulted James Thomson. Hydepark Street awl thrown at him a quantity of vitriol or other corrosive acid, whereby he was severely burned on the face and permanently disfigured. Procurator-Fiscal J. D. St rat hern stated that the accused was 33 and unmarried. The position, the Fiscal said, was unusual. Thomson and the accused had been on terms of great friendship for a considerable period. Some time ago. Thomson’s employer received certain letters which purported to eome from a young woman, and they represented that Thomson hail been keeping company with the woman awl that he had taken advantage of her and treated her badly. The employer was on the point of dismissing the man, when he thought better of it, as he was .doubtful of the authenticity of the statements contained in the let-

Thomson worked in a bread factory and had to go out early in the morning, while the accused was a lamplighter and he also had: to go out early. Thomson was a regular visitor to the accusal’s house, and he had a key for the purpose of going there early id the morning and awakening Dickson for his work. Thomson has entered the right of way at Catherine Place, when a quantity of liquid was thrown'at him. The liquid fell on his face and hand, and he felt them “going on fire.” At the same time a woman’s coat was thrown over his head. Thomson saw no person and heard no one hurrying away. He sufferer? intense pain and rushed out and attracted the attention of a policeman. They went back to the accused’s house and Dickson was in bed. apparently asleep.

The Fiscal described it as a wicked fitault the complainer having been letmanently disfigured. One of his • ars was miss-shapc-d as a result. Careful inquiry was made by the. police, and as a lesult the authorities were ot the opinion that Dickson was not unconnected with the writing of the letters.

The Fiscal alleged that the letters were written by male friends of the accused to his dictation, while the letters were dispatched by him. Dickson had purchased vitriol from a chemist about a fortnight prior to the assault. Sheriff Robertson remarked that it was a wonder that Thomson’s eyes were not burned out. The Ficcal said that Thomson’s clothe< were practically burned off him. An -gent on behalf o fthe accuser! man said he did the act on the spur of the moment.