Widnes Examiner. — 1899-02-24 (Widnes, Cheshire, England)

ALLEGED ASSAULT ON A WOSIAN AT EARLESTOWN.  At the Newt3n Petty Sessions on Taursd ay befoie Mr. Gillespie (in the chair), and Mr. C. B. F. Berton. Michael Rabbit was charged with assaulting Mary Ann Smethurst on February 4th. Mr. A. E. White prosecuted Mr. J. W. Knowles who appeared for the defence pleaded not guilty.—Mr. White said the complainant was in her mother's house in Grafton-street, and at the , time the defendant came in there were al,o in the house complainant's uncle and a man named Patrick Daly. Some words took place and defendant said to complainant if she wouLl not go out he would kick her oat. She refused and picked up a jag. Defeldant kn3cked the jag out of her hand. caugnt her by the arm and pushed net into the kitchen. In the kitchen were 11(vanuah O'Neil and James Gibbons and d3ferriant kicked her about the legs' and banged her head against the door jamb. He kinked this complainant out of tne house and threw her down. He anerwards opened the door and threw her hat and cloak out.— Mary Ann Smethurst, wife of William Smethurst, Wargrave road, Earlestown,bore out her solicitor's statement. She was not able to get out until February 6!.h.—John Burrows, St. Helens, said he was passing the house at the time and saw the defendant push complainant out of the house with his knees, holding her by the arms behind.=-MAry Bung° said on the day in question she saw complainant bleeding from a cut on the head. She washed her head and Mrs. Smethurst then complained of Ipr leg being hurt, and whoa she looked it was very much swollen.—Dr. Mcunsey said he saw complainant.  Her right leg was vary much bruised as high as the knee but the left leg was not so hid. Her left arm was also bruised and on the forehead was a superficial wound. The wounds bad heated very bally.—By Mr. White : There must have been considerable violence used.—Mr. Knowles for the defendant said he would call witnesses and the bench would be sati3fiqd it was a trumped up affair.—Mary O'Neil.tnother of the complainant, said be daughter eot violent and she asked defendant to put her out. Complainant was drunk.—By the defendant: The defendant did not kick her.—Patrick Daley gave corroborative evidence.—James Smith, Grafton-strelt,said he saw Rabbit put defendant out but he did not use any unnecessary force. She fell in the street because she was drunk.—Michael Rabbit, who gave evidence on oath said complainant's mother asked him to put her daughter out before she (her daughter) murdered her. He neither struck her nor kicksi her. She eau 4ht against the sewing m i.ch.ine,and also caught her head by falling against the curb outside the door.— The Bench said there was considerable doubt about the matter and dismiesed the ease.  M NOti OA.  A SOLICITOR'S PRoTEST r. W. W. Shirley appeared to prosecute on behalf of the Newtoa-in-Mekerfield Urban District Council in the case of Thomas Speeb Market-street, Barlestowu,for allowing his chimney to be on fire on January 16.—Mr. A. E. White protested on behalf of the solicitors of the court against Mr. Shirley appearing in that court to prosecute. He did not consider it was fair to the profession.— Mr. Shirley said, as clerk of the Urban District (Council he had power to appear in any court.—The Magistrates concurred in this and the ease procsedel.—Defendant was fined 6d. AN