Denton and Haughton Examiner, etc. — 1888-07-21 (Denton, Greater Manchester, England)

THE CASE OP ATTEMPTED SUIC/DE.—At the Ashton County Petty Sections on Wednesday, before George Andrew (chairman), J. W. Summeiv, and W. W. Cooke, Charles Whitehead was brought up in remand on the charge of attempting to commit suicide by hanging at Denton on the 7th:inst.—Mr. Superintendent Hewitt etated that hist week defendant woo remanded for 14 days. In consequence of a representation made to him by the Workhouse Authorities, defendant had been brought up again before the expiration of the 14 days. —Thomas Hague mid he resided at Ashton-road, Denton, On Saturday the ltlitof the present month he went to the house occupied by the defendant and went upstairs to the garret with a candle, where he found the defendant with a rope round his neck, the rope being attached to a beam, Defendant was lying on his belly. Witness went downstairs and met Con, stable Scott coming up, and witness then left the house—Defendant asked whether he load any questions to ask the witness, said he was sorry it had happened.—Constable Scott who said he was called to the defendant's house in Hyde-road at about 10 o'clock. He went upstairs and found the defendant lying on his belly with the rope (produced) round his neck, the rope being attached at the other end to a beam. Witness cut the part round his neck. Defendant was very excited and with a great deal of persuasion witness got hum downstairs to bed and he remained in bed half-anhour. Witness examined defendant's neck and found a red mark all round. In a short time he came downstairs and went into the yard. At about 12 o'clock witness left the house for a few minutes and on returning he missed defendant from the house. Witness asked where he was and defendant's daughter pointed to the front room, where witness found him in darkness standing close to a pair of olrawers, the top drawer being open. As soon as defendant saw witnets he said " What dust want" and put something on the top of the drawers and commenced tearing up some piper. Witness afterwards looked on the top of the drawers and found a razor. Witness afterwards said to him "we shall detain you here and t Ike you to the Court in the morning on the charge of attempting to commit suicide. Defendant made no reply. Dr. Griffin was called.—Defendant denied having had the razor and said he told the constable he was looking for a clean shirt to put on before going to the station.— Dr. Griffin said he was called to see the defendant on the 7th instant at his house in Hyde-road. He wits sitting downstairs with a constable and seemed a little excited. He put a few questions to the defendant who answered rationally. Witness did not examine his neck. Defendant had been under witness's attendance for some time he having bees suffering from mental depression and insomnia for the last six months—Dr. Hughes mid the defendant was committed to the Union Workhouse Hospital on the 9th July on remand from the Court, and had teen under witness's care since. Witness found hits very mueh depressed but I quite capable of understanding right from wrong.— The magistrates discharged the prisoner, the chairman eitpreseing the hope that he would not attempt the t act again.  A