Bridgend & Neath Chronicle, and County of Glamorgan Advertiser. — 1893-03-10 (Bridgend, Mid Glamorgan, Wales)

ALLEGED UNLAWFUL WOUNDING AT MIESTEG.— Jane Davies, married woman, Bethania-street, Maesteg, was charged with unlawfully wounding Caroline Prosser, on the 21st ult.—Caroline Prosser, wife of Thomas Prosser, jun, of 56, Bethaniastreet, Maesteg, said she was the complainant. Defendant lived in the same street. There was no ill-feeling on her part against the defendant. On the day in question defendant came to her house and asked her why she was going from house to house telling lies about her. Witness denied having done so. Witness turned away when defendant pushed her three times, nearly pushing her down, and then told her to stand her ground. Witness went to the coal-hole, and as she came back defendant struck her in the face with her hand. She went outside to get away, and defendant followed her, and wrenched the coal-shovel out of her hand. Witness took the shovel from defendant again, and held it before her face. A horse and cart came up and defendant went away. About a quarter of an hour after defendant came again, and witness went at of the house. Defendant caught her, and pulled her hair and scratched het. Witness went into lir3 Lewis's next door. Defendant rushed after her, and kicked her on the back when she was on the floor. Witness was insensible, and the next thing she knew she had a heavy blow with a piece of glass by defendant. The glass produced was melted glass such as she had made herself. As soon as she could recover herself she got up anl went to the surgery. Dr Lewis dressed her head Her hand was also hurt in same way.—ln cross-examination by Mr R. Scale, witness denied that she was the aggressor, or that when her husband asked her if she could not heat Mrs Davies that she said God knows, I did my best.' They did not fall against a wall. When they were separated in Mrs Lewis' house defendant was topmost.—Sarah Ann Thomas, 61, Bethania-street, deposed to seeing defendant go into Mrs Davies' house, and afterwards saw Mrs Davies run into Mrs Lewis' house. and Mrs Davies after her. Mrs Prosser called for her husband, hollered:murder,' and Mrs Davi ,s said that she would serve her husband the same if he came.—Mrs Anna Lewis said she was upstairs when the row came into her house. When she got down she found the two women on the floor tumbling about. She could not tell which was on top when she tried to part them—witness was 73 years of age. She shoute 1 for Mrs Moyle, who came and parted the two. 'the two were doing the best they could for themselves, like everybody else fighting (laughter).—Dr W. Hopkin Thomas, physician and surgeon, Maesteg, said that on the day in question Mrs Davies came to him. Found a contusion or bruise on her left shoulder and a black eye. Her little finger had marks as if caused by a bite, the skin slightly broken. She complained of nothing else. Saw Mrs Prosser the day of the injury between five and six o'clock. The right side of her face was smeared with blood. He sent her to the surgery. Two or three days' after witness ' visited her at her own house. Found her in bed with her head bandaged and complaining of pains about the body. She had a contused wound on the scalp behind and above the right ear, several scratches about the face, and a sight abrasion on the right wrist. Applied ordinary dressing to the ' injuries, and attended her since. She was able to come dow,a at any time. Did not attribute her weakness to the beating, but to nervous reaction. The injuries to both might have all been caused by a rough and tumble engagement' such as the women had, if it was accompanied by falls.—Mr R. Scale addressed the bench, urging that his client had gone on business to Mrs Prosser's. The latter was abusive, and a free fight ensued.—Fined £1 (including costs).—Defendant broke into a violent passion at the decision, and was conducted out of court.