Notes for: Elizabeth Utteridge
From the Cambridge Independent Press, 7 Nov 1913: 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 heard him shouting and "hollaring", and told Utteridge that if he had anything to say he must say it to the agent. The 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 you not 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 talking very loud, and he also saw them struggle. Mrs Love hit 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 to 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 also assaulted his niece.
Mrs Love: Everything he says is a deliberate lie.
Miss Haslop, Trumpington, said that Mrs Love hit Utteridge, and he pushed her away and he 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.