The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette. — 1863-02-10 (Dorchester, Dorset, England)

WILI,CL DAMAGE. Mary Ann Ford, residing at No. 2, Pulteney Buildings, was summoned before the Borough magistrates on Tuesday for wilfully damaging a greenhouse belonging to Capt. Cozens. She ilid not appear to answer to the charge. Mr. Tizard who appeared for complainant, stated that there were two courses open to the Bench. They might bear the case in defendant's absence, or they might issue a warrant for her apprehension and cause her to be brought before them.—Mr. Ayliog said the Bench would bear the case in defendant's absence, as she was not present —Mr. Tixard then stated the case. The defendant resided at No. 2, Pulteney buildings, and Mr. Joseph Cozens resided next door. The complaint against defendant was that on Sunday afternoon last she wilfully damaged a greenhouse belonging to Mr. Cozens, by throwing stones at it. He had abundant evidence to prove this charge distinctly, and one object for bringing the case forward was to teach her better behaviour  for the future. There was also another object in view. The defendant was continually causing annoyance, not only to Capt. Cozens, but also every person residing in the neighbourhood. Many persons occupying those houses let lodgings as a part of their livelihood, but no one would stayllthere in cowiequence of her annoyance and the filthy and disgusting language she used, and therefore she was the means of depriving lodging-house keepers of • portion of their means of support—Alderman Ayling said the Bench could hear no other charge against ilefembuit than that fir which she was aumuioned.—Mr. Mord said he should prove his case, and ask the Bench to inflict on defendant the highest penalty allowed by law, wl,oh he believed, was ,f 3. besides the amount of darnag, —Joseph Cozens was then called. He said he lived at /to. 3, Palteney buildings, and the defendant lived next door. He had erected a greenhouse at the back of his residence. About four o'clock on Sunday afternoon he was sitting in his drawing-room, when he heard a great noise at the back of his house, and on going out he observed that some stones had been thrown into the greenhouse, and that the glass was broken. The damage done amounted to 6a. For the hist three or four years there had not been a week lass but defendant bad committed some annoyance or other, not only towards him and Mrs. Cozens and servants, but towards any persons who happened to be lodging with them. She used the most foul and obscene language she could possibly utter.—Sarah Bartlett said she was servant to Mr. Cozens. On Sunday afternoon, about 4 o'clock, she saw the defendant at the back of her house, and heard her make • great noise and cry murder. She saw her throw two stones—one went through the glass of the greenhouse and the other rested on the top. She used very foul language both before and after she broke the glom—Charles Warry said he worked for Mr. Cozens. He was at the back of Pulteney buildings about 4 o'clock on Sunday afternoon, and there was • large mob of children round defendant's door. She came out and used very had language and thew stones. He jumped upon • post to look at defendant, and saw her throw two or three stones upon Copt. Cozeoe's greenhouse and smash some of the glean Another witness was also called who gave similar evidence.— Alderman Avling said the judgment of the Bench was that defendant should pay 6a., the amount of ‘critse done to the greenhouse, and be lined £5 for fa destruction of that property, and that failing the payment of this she would be committed for a mouth, with bard labour. The defendant was a most extraordinary character, and behaved in a most extraordinary way, to the great annoyance of the public. He had heard it intimated that the anthuribee ought to take some steps to stop the annoyance. All he had to say was, that if at any time any gentleman feat diaposed to take proceedings against her, the magistrates of that borough would be ready to entertain any complaint that might be made. net,