Sarah
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The Somerset County Gazette, Bristol Express, and Devonshire News Saturday 01 Dec 1877
Page 10 Column 3
BRIDGWATER BOROUGH POLICE.
SATURDAY. - Before Mr. E. LILLY and Mr. R. SALMON.
MRS. MATTHEWS AGAIN. - Mary MATTHEWS, wife of Mr. John MATTHEWS, herbalist, of Binford-place, was summoned for being drunk and disorderly on the night previous. - Defendant pleaded not guilty. - P.C. HUBBERD said about half-past eleven at night, when on duty in Eastover, he heard a row in the direction of Binford-place, and on going there he found the defendant drunk and making use of bad language: “in fact,” added the witness, “it was horrible.” The defendant had also smashed the windows in the house she lived in, and the people complained. He took her into custody, and she walked to the station without any boots or stockings on. - Defendant now made a rambling speech in her defence, but as what she persisted in talking about was entirely irrelevant the magistrates stopped her. - Mr. LILLY remarked that he was sorry to see her in such a position, and as this was not the first time she had appeared there he warned her that if brought there again she would probably be sent to prison without the option of a fine. - Mr. SALMON: She certainly will if she comes before me. - Defendant was now fined 10s., including costs; in default, seven days.
MONDAY. - Before the Mayor (Mr. T. COLLINS), and Messrs. J. LEAKER (ex-Mayor), R. SALMON and F. FARMER.
DRUNK AND DISORDERLY. - Julia BETTY was charged with being drunk and disorderly in Monmouth-street on the 17th inst. - P.C. HALL and Alfred RYDON gave evidence to the effect that the defendant, by her misconduct, caused a good deal of annoyance to the inhabitants, who complained of it. She was fined 10s., including costs; in default, seven days.
PUBLIC ANNOYANCE. - William LLOYD, labourer, living in Bath-road, was charged with creating a public annoyance on the 18th inst. - P.C. WILKINS said the wife of the defendant and his two daughters came running to him for protection. Defendant took away a shawl from his wife, although the night was very cold, and struck her three or four times in his (witness's) presence, and he also struck one of his daughters. Witness caught hold of him, but as defendant had a large black dog with him, which he took about for protection, he was obliged to let him go. The dog had bit two persons since St. Matthew's Fair. - Mr. SALMON remarked that the dog ought to be destroyed, and also that a man who beat his wife in the way spoken of should be made to spend his Christmas in prison. - The wife was stated to be in the habit of keeping a fish-stall in the market, and to be a respectable, hard-working woman. - The Mayor remarked that it was fortunate for the defendant that his wife did not come there to prefer the charge of assault against him, for had she done so he would, in all probability, have been sent to gaol. He would now be fined 5s. and costs; in default, fourteen days. - Supt. LEAR gave the defendant notice that if he allowed his dog to go about unmuzzled he would be summoned.
TUESDAY. - Before the Mayor.
Elizabeth SOUTHWOOD, a married woman, was charged with being drunk and disorderly in Queen-street, on the previous night. - Supt. LEAR said the defendant was at the Town Hall the night previous with a man, and he saw her drinking there. Shortly afterwards she fell away into a kind of fit, and was removed outside, the people being much frightened. Subsequently, A.S. CULL found defendant in Queen-street, helplessly drunk, and making use of bad language. The man who was in her company complained of losing his watch, but none was found upon the prisoner. - She was fined 5s. and costs.