Widnes Examiner. — 1898-07-22 (Widnes, Cheshire, England)

INSPECTOR'S W FE.  STRANGE CASE. At the Warrington Police Court on Friday last before the Meyer and other magistrates,Henry llaghton, labourer of 87. Knutsford-road was charged with assaulting Mrs. Bridget B owen, 66, St. Mary-street, Latchford on the llth July. Prisoner pleadel not guilty.—Mr. a. Browne who appeared for the prosecution, said ha thought their worships cyanid consider when they heard the case that a very serious and aggravated assault had been corn. mitted. The complainant was the wile of a retired Police Inspector, and on Monday last sloe had been to some friends and the friends saw her home as far as Bridge Foot. When she got up to the Pin Mill the saw a man sitting down. His head was resting on his hand. She walked on and the man said "good-night." The man followed her. She got to her gate and be caught hold of her. He *truck her and she scratched his face. He then caught hold of her dress and behaved indecently to her. She had been screaming and Sergeant Leans came up and followed after prisoner and finally caught him. His client's nose had been badly hurt and was dressed at the Infirmary and three stitches put in. IC they considered the evidence sufficient he would ask them to make it an aggravated assault and infilA the punishment accordingly. Mrs. Bowen bore out her solicitor's statement. She said the prisoner followed her up to her own gate, and said good night to her. She Said" who are you speaking to " or something to that effect. He then caught hold of her, and assaulted her as she described. She was struggling with him all the time, and said to him. " what are you tieing ; you do not know who I am." She struggled with him, struck him, and screamed merder. and begged of the neighbours to come to her help. Re then strack her on theface, and she said "t am done." Sergeant Evans came running up and followed after the man who ran away. He brought him I back and then teelc him to the Police Station. She then. I went to the Infirmary.  Sergeant Evans said he was pegging along Knutsford-road on the night in qaestion. Oa coming by Barry-street he heard screams which sounded like a woman. Ele went in their direction and heard someone say " let me alone you scoundrel" and another scream. He then heard the same voice say "Oh God is there none of the neighbours will corns and take this brats from me." He then got up to Mrs. Bowen's gate where he saw the two struggling. Prisoner ran away and after chasing him in a zig,z tg fashion witness secured him._  Further evidence was given by a neighbour. Mrs. Houghtoi saying that on the following Thursday morning she was ieque.sted to examine airs. Bowen. he found her arms were dreadfully bruised and black marks on her body. Tlv prisoner, when asked to make his statiNnent said. !draftsmen passed and sail "get up good man and come on." He then got up and walked with her. He thought rafrs.Bovven was intoxicated,so he walked with her to see her safe. She then said to him " what are you following me for." Sae th.m fell down and must have cut her nose. Sas scrParnsd out murder which frightened him. She struck him aid scrcbodhiin. The officer came running up and he ran away as he was frightened. By the Chairman : He had never known Mrs. Bowen before. _ _  _ Sergeant Evans, recalled by tho Chairman, said Mrs. Bowen was not drunk, bat bad had some drink. She was able to walk to the Infirmary and Police Station without assistance. _ _  The prlsoner was committed to prison for one month with hard labour.