The Birkenhead News and Wirral General Advertiser. — 1903-07-22 (Birkenhead, Merseyside, England)

MAXIMUM PENALTY FOR ABUSIVE LANGUAGE.  A young woman named Elizabeth Huntington, of Morpeth-buildings, summoned John McKeever, of Cottage-street, at the same court for having used abusive language. Mr. Cotton prosecuted, and Mr. Lynskey defended. Mr. Cotton stated that on Thursday morning last complainant, who was employed at a laundry, was going to her mother's house to leave her baby before proceeding to work. She was passing Singleton's Mills in Pricestreet when elle saw the defendant McKeever with two others standing about. He was dancing on the pavement, and she had passed when he called out to ask what she was looking at, and threatening to "smash her face." She said "Will your and he replied '`Tes, go and fetch your brother and I will kick him to death and break his flute over his head." The brother mentioned was a member of the Protestant Boys' Band, and the flute was the instrument he played. The other men told her to bring the whole bend out and they would smash it between them. Complainant was very frightened and ran away with her baby, and it was in ccrnsequeues of the abusive language that the summons had been issued. A woman who was a total stranger came up to her and maid she had heard AfeKeever threaten her, and would substantiate her statement in ' the police-court. On Thnrsday night complainant's mother was visited by McKeever, who had been served with a summons, and he offered to pay the cost of the summons and for the loss of complainant's wages for that day if she would withdraw the ease. 'as he did not want to go before the Birkenhead magistrates again. The offer was declined, and he (Mr. Cotton) hoped the bench would imposo the full penalty. Mrs. Huntington was then called and corroborated. Cross-examined by Mr. Lynskey, she said she did not use the words "Kensit murderer" at all, and gave McKeever no cause for complaint. 11 Mrs. Isabella Page, of Wheatland-lane, ' Seaoombe, said she knew neither of the parties. but heard complainant use bad language to defendant. Mr. Lynskey, in defence, entirely denied the offence, and said that MeKeever was called by complainant the Kensit murderer. which made him say to her that he would I not discuss the matter with her, but he would with her brother. it was natural that a young man who went through the severe ordeal of being tried for his life, imprisoned for many months, should be excited when told by this woman he was guilty of that which a jury in a trial lasting over four days had said he was not guilty. But he denied having used abusive language ta complainant. As he had said. it was an unfortunate thing that these occurrences should happen, for they were to be deplored, but be thought there could be just as much blame on the side opposite to the one he represented. It seemed inexplicable that a man who was dancing and, therefore, in a good humour, should stop suddenly and abuse a passing female without any cause. Other witnesses having been called,  The MaYor said the magistrates were Forry to see WeKeever before them ones more, after having on the last oce-.ion been leniently dealt with. It woe a Pity he could not go out to some place like Canada. Ile would now have to pay the maximum penalty, 40e. and oasts.