Mexborough & Swinton Times – Saturday 17 August 1912

Unlawful Wounding at Swinton

All through Drink

Patrick Blythe, a miner, of Swinton, was charged with unlawfully wounding his wife Bridget Blythe Swinton, on August 3.

Mr J.W. Fenoughty represented the prisoner and pleaded guilty.

The complainant said they lived in lodgings at Gladstone Place, Roman Ter, Swinton. She had three children. About 10:40 PM on August 3 the prisoner came home and told her to fetch 23 jails of beer and 1 quart of beer for in and other lodges. He was under the influence of drink. She fetch the beer and brought it home. Shortly after 11 o’clock husband, some lodges, and herself were having supper with the landlady. She was sitting on the sofa near to her husband.

Whilst having supper, the prisoner letter piece of bread drop onto the floor, in a stooping to pick it up he fell with his head on the wringing machine. She laughed at him falling, and he said “You are making fun of me.” After saying that, he picked up a quart glass bottle, and threw it at her. It struck her on the forehead, and cut it, and she lost a considerable amount of blood. The prisoner immediately left the house. Doctor Ram was sent for, and he put some stitches in the wound. She had not seen the prisoner since the offence.

Answering Mr Fenoughty, she said she had been married to the prisoner seven years. They had had no quarrel. Her husband had worked regularly. On August 3 the prisoner came home from work at 1 o’clock, and he was drinking all the time up to 10.40, and when he got home he was quite drunk. After he had fallen off the chair she went to pick him up, and she was laughing all the time. He would not have done if she had not laughed at him and aggravated him. She did not wish to press the case, her husband had been in custody since a week last Monday.

Amelia Mellor said the prisoner lodged with her. She gave evidence in support of the complainant story.

Doctor Ram said he had put five stitches in the wound which had penetrated to the bone.

PC Lund said he charged the prisoner with the offence and he replied “I have nothing to say.”

Mr for noting said the woman aggravated prisoner. He was sorry for what he had done.

The prisoner was fined 20 shillings and costs, or one month imprisonment in default.