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Somerset County Herald and Taunton Courier. Saturday 29 Aug 1936
Page 12 Column 6
A BARRINGTON “SIEGE”
NEIGHBOURS SUMMONED FOR ASSAULT
MAGISTRATE AND GIRLS WHO “LET FLY”
A neighbours' quarrel at Barrington had a sequel at the Ilminster Police-court on Thursday, when the Misses Clotilda PAINTER, Doris LAWRENCE, and Florence DRAYTON, of Barrington, were summoned by William Thomas CLARKE, bricklayer, of Silver-street, Barrington, for having committed damage to the amount of 4s to a cottage.
They were also summoned by Mrs. Edith CLARKE, wife of the previous complainant, for assault, while Mrs. CLARKE was summoned by Doris LAWRENCE for having assaulted her at the same time and place.
Mr. R. W. YOUNG (Messrs. Alms & Young), Taunton, appeared on behalf of CLARKE and his wife.
All defendants pleaded not guilty.
The Chairman suggested that as the parties lived in the same village it would be much better that they should be friends if possible and settle the matter without proceeding with the summonses.
Mr. YOUNG consulted his clients, and said they were prepared to do what they could if defendants apologised and were prepared to pay the damages incurred – 4s, and gave an undertaking for the future.
The Chairman addressed defendants, and suggested a settlement on the lines put forward by Mr. YOUNG, but this was refused.
Mrs. CLARKE stated that on Saturday morning she was sitting in the kitchen with Mrs. D'ARCY, pouring out a cup of tea. She heard a thumping and knocking at the door, and also heard the wash-house door open and close. Defendants walked into the kitchen, and Doris LAWRENCE struck witness in the face with her hand. PAINTER was urging LAWRENCE on, and hit witness whilst LAWRENCE held her head. DRAYTON also struck witness.
REPELLED WITH BROOM.
By this time they had reached the pantry, and witness caught hold of LAWRENCE to push her out of the house. With the assistance of Mrs. D'ARCY and Mrs. CORNELIUS, the defendants were pushed out of the house and the door was locked. LAWRENCE and PAINTER pulled the pantry window open, after having failed to reopen the door, and LAWRENCE threatened to get in through the window, getting on to the sill. Witness told her if she did not get off she would use the broom, and as LAWRENCE did not go she pushed her off with the broom. The catch was broken off the window. Defendants used bad language during the whole time.
Replying to LAWRENCE, witness said she did not see her mother that morning, neither did she call her names.
Evidence was given by witness's sister and mother – Agnes D'ARCY and Mrs. Kate CORNELIUS. The latter stated that defendants, after being ejected, said if they came outside they would kill them. “We were in danger,” added witness.
Wm. Thomas CLARKE said the damage would cost 4s to repair.
“ALLEGATIONS.”
Doris LAWRENCE gave evidence on the cross-summons, and said that on Saturday morning her mother spoke to the baker and that started the row, Mr. CLARKE making allegations against her. Witness asked Mrs. CLARKE what she meant and said her mother did not deserve it. Mrs. CLARKE told her to go, made allegations against her, struck her with the broom on the arm, and tore her dress. Mrs. CORNELIUS also came out with a broom and threatened to strike her. The window was broken by Mrs. CLARKE slamming it.
By Mr. YOUNG: She did not go into the kitchen at all. Her frock was not torn by Mrs. D'ARCY when they were in the kitchen.
Mrs. Letitia CORNELIUS stated that she lived next door to Mrs. CLARKE. She saw Mrs. CLARKE in the pantry window with a broom. Doris LAWRENCE's dress was torn and they were abusing each other. “The row was nearly over by the time I got there.” added witness. She came out of her house because her husband's name was brought up.
Defendant PAINTER declared that Mrs. CLARKE struck the first blow with a short-handled broom. She “chimed in” because her name was brought in. They did not enter Mrs. CLARKE's house nor touch the window. Mrs. CLARKE banged the window in a temper and the latch fell off.
DRAYTON said Mrs. CLARKE swore at her, and called her mother names. Mrs. CLARKE then rushed indoors and locked the door.
Mrs. D'ARCY, re-called, stated that she tore Doris LAWRENCE's dress when she was in Mrs. CLARKE's pantry.
The magistrates retired, and on their return announced that the summons against Mrs. CLARKE would be dismissed.
BOUND OVER.
With regard to the three other defendants the Bench was satisfied that an assault had been committed by them, whether they had cause of not was no concern of the Bench, for there was another Court in which they could take action for libel if necessary. They might have been provoked; possibly they were, but that was no excuse, for they had a legal remedy. They would be bound over to be of good behaviour for six months, and to keep the peace, especially towards Mrs. CLARKE. They would also have to pay the costs and damage sustained, amounting together to 14s.
Mr. YOUNG applied for an advocate's fee, and this the Bench allowed, ordering defendants to pay £1 1s.
The Chairman said the Court felt that there had been a great deal of unpleasantness, and bitter words had been spoken. They hoped, in the future, Mrs. CLARKE would be discreet and use discretion – defendant were young girls whilst she was of mature age. When nasty things were said about young girls they were inclined to lose their tempers and “let fly.” They hoped they would not hear any more of it in the future.
<NOTES: Clotilda Maud or Chloe PAINTER daughter of Ernest PAINTER and Mary Ann MALE, married Edward Tom MALE
Doris LAWRENCE is Doris Phyllis LAWRENCE daughter of Arthur William LAWRENCE and Phoebe Jane MALE, married Edward Charles William PALTERMAN
Florence DRAYTON probably a daughter of George DRAYTON and Elizabeth MALE
Edith CLARKE is Edith CORNELIUS daughter of Arthur CORNELIUS and Catherine or Kate Jane MALE, married William Thomas CLARKE
William Thomas CLARKE son of Charles CLARKE and Georgina HALLETT, married Edith CORNELIUS>