Cambridge Independent Press 7 Nov 1913: Emma Love assaulted Alfred Utteridge
CURIOUS ASSAULT CASE.Summons Fails; Cross-Summons Succeeds.
For 18 years employed as a gardener by Mrs. Lewis at Castlebrae, Chesterton-lane, and bearing an excellent character, Alfred Utteridge was summoned at the County Police Court on Saturday for assaulting Emma Love, widow, at Trumpington, on October 18th. A cross-summons was taken out by Utteridge against Mrs. Love for assault. Mrs. Love’s sole witness gave evidence against her, and Utteridge was discharged. She then took defendant’s place and was convicted and fined.
Mrs. Love was the first prosecutor. She said that on October 18th she was in her garden at Trumpington. Utteridge came there and witness hear him shouting and “hollaring,” and told Utteridge that if he had anything to say he must say it to the agent. Then defendant threw her into the flower bed and she hit her head on a brick.
Cross-examined, witness said she did not use abusive language or strike defendant.
Mr. Wootten: Did not you try to hit him with this stick?
Witness: Yes; but he took it from me.
Didn’t you hit defendant’s niece? — No.
Are not Mrs. Haslop and her daughter afraid of you? — No; I have never harmed man, woman or child.
Alfred Wilson, general labourer, Trumpington, said he saw Mrs. Love and Utteridge with a stick and he warded the blow off.
Mr. Wootten: She struck the first blow?
Witness: Yes.
Mr. Wootten: I don’t think I need take the case any further.
Mrs. Love: I think there has been some bribery here.
The magistrates decided to dismiss the case.
Mr. Wootten said he must press the case against the woman.
Mrs. Love was then charged with assaulting Utteridge and pleaded not guilty.
Utteridge, in the box, said he had been employed for nearly 19 years by Mrs. Lewis, Castlebrae. He went over to see his sister at Trumpington on the 18th. He went into the garden, and asked his niece where the hedge was. She said Mrs. Love cut it down. Witness asked her why she did it. Mrs. Love abused witness, and “came at him.” She flew at him, scratched his face, and he pushed her away. She then struck him across the arm with a stick, and he again pushed her away. She also assaulted his niece.
Mrs. Love: Everything he says is a deliberate lie.
Miss (Alice) Haslop, Trumpington, said that Mrs. Love hit Utteridge, and he pushed her away and she fell. She flew at him again with a stick. She also hit witness.
Mrs. Love said that Utteridge insulted her and she ordered him off the garden. He threw her down.
The Chairman: Do you wish to call any witnesses? We have heard one of them.
Mrs. Love: Oh, yes, he was a beautiful witness.
The Chairman: There is no doubt you assaulted him. You will be fined 5s. and costs.
Mrs. Love: I shall not pay it, so you can do what you like.