GOSSIPING WOMEN.

Western Star, 2 August 1938, Page 2

GOSSIPING WOMEN.

EARNING FROM JUDGE., l PRISON FOR NEXT OFFENCE. ’ The Recorded of London, Mr Gerald Dodson,- who at th e Old Bailey bound over two women to be of good behaviour for two years, strongly condemned them for talking scandal. Accused of publishing a defamatory libel on two Post Office workers were Mrs Nora Parker, 34, and Mrs Gladys Lawrence, 40, both of Ruislip, Middlesex. The case was said to have arisen because of gossip over garden walls. MONTHS OF inquiry. The Recorder said: “It may well be that you thought that you were being evilly spoken of. The law provides a remedy for that, but ' both of you, with an intensity of hatred which is sometimes found among womefi, then set about to attack the "characters of two men who were earning their living honestly and supporting their families. “It is disgraceful to think that two women, should stoop to do a thing like this. It is not as though you had jnot good homes and good husbands. It is not as though you did not know better. “You both knew perfectly well the enormity of the act of which you have been guilty. It has caused a great deal of trouble—hours, days, perhaps months, of inquiry about these two perfectly honest men. You did not hesitate to attack to satisfy your own desire for revenge. “You may now appreciate- what you have done, and I hope that this slinging of Middlesex mud. will cease If it does not you will go to prison and others with you. . / . ANONYMOUS LETTER, “I imagine it will be all. the better for Ruislip if people who are minded to do this: sort of thing receive a term of imprisonment. It might have a cleansing ; effect on their minds.” The Recorder adder that' it was a “silly and almost pathetic sto.y’* to which he had to listen. “One hopes, ’ he concluded, “that in time some measure of civilisation will com© to Ruislip. While there are women Ike you in it progress will .be hindered.” Mr Joiln Maude said the women concocted an anonymous letter, accusing the two Post Office workers of theft, and sent it to the Postmaster-General. Many inquiries were made into the activities of two perfectly innocent men, ; against whom not one word could be said.