Mexborough & Swinton Times – Friday 06 February 1891

Serious Assault on a Woman at Swinton

Patrick Madden, of Swinton, was summoned for having assaulted Rebecca Goulden, of the same place on the 10th January.

The case was before the court a week ago, when defendant said a settlement had been arrived at.

The magistrates elicited that defendant bad paid the complainant 6s. in payment of the expenses which she had incurred. They would not allow the case to be withdrawn, however, the law having been set In motion, and an adjournment was therefore granted so that each party, could bring their witnesses.

Complainant’s s story to the bench on Monday with regard to the settlement was that the defendant thrust 6s. into her hand to meet the expenses she had gone to, and that she could not get him to take the moneyback. Concerning the assault she went to the Corner Pin public house, Swinton, on the day named, and a “musical evening ” was in progress. She wanted her husband to come home. Dsfendant set upon her and struck and kicked her while she was insensible. She had to be carried into the house. She denied having invited the defendant to fight, as she “was a mark for him if her husband was not “.

Annie Roberts said she saw the complainant raise her hand to strike the defendant, after which the latter dealt her (complainant) a blow and knocked her down. She did not see the defendant kick the woman.

Defendant called a witness on his behalf, named Mrs. Adamson, who acted as his housekeeper. She said when the defendant came home on the named, his neck was scratched and smeared with blood.

Defendant said the complainant’s husband was quarrelling with another man, and he acted as peacemaker, whereupon they (complainant and her husband) picked “a quarrel. The landlord of the public house put the husband out. Both complainant and her husband challenged him out to fight, the woman making use of the expression “I’m about your barrow.” (Laughter). He (defendant) admitted that under great provocation he either struck the woman or pushed her violently. Before coming to the court cot the previous Monday, the complainant had drink with him (defendant) and his friends. In his further statement defendant characterised some of the complainant’s observations to the bench as ” vulgar” perjury.

Police constable Hewitt said he had known the defendant for the last twelve or fifteen months, during which time he had had to report himself at the police stations. He had been convicted at Doncaster. The officer also spoke to seeing the woman’s injuries a few days after the alleged assault. Her eyes were blackened and her face very much swollen, in fact she was in a fearful state.

Defendant admitted that he was a returned convict, but he thought that had nothing to do with the present case. He had already paid the penalty of that crime. He had been at home for four years and he could produce a character from every place where he had worked.

The Chairman: You have admitted the assault. We think it was a very cowardly one and you will be fined 40s and costs , one month in default.