The Northern News. — 1898-12-31 (Carlisle, Cumbria, England)

PAINFUL CASE.  At the Town Hall, Carlisle, on Tuesday, Catherine Huthart, a respectable married woman, residing at 11, Garfield Street, Denton Ho'me, was brought up on a ch-trge of breaking and entering the dwelling house of John Sleek, 7, Garfield Street. and stealing ten woollen singlets, four petticoats, a bed cover, dko., on the night of Wednesday, the 21st inst.—Mr BROUGHTON, who appeared for the defence, said that he had the authority of the prosecution to ask that the accused be discharged, and that be did not wish to prosecute. The amused had attempted to commit suicide, on amount of this charge hanging over her, and the governor of the prison wished very much that she should be returned to her friends. Her husband was in a very good position. It was drink in this case.—The Chief Constable said that this was a bad case and it was not the only one. If this case was not proceeded with. aooused would be re-arrested—Mr BROUGHTON protested against the statement of the Chief Constable as unfairly prejudicial to his client, but the Bench decided that after the _  Chief Constable's evidence, they must hear the case.— Agnes Margaret Slack, wife of John Slack, 7, Garfield Street, said that she knew the aocused, who was several times in her house on the day in question. At nine o'clock witness sent aocused's little girl home, and then went to bed herself. She first saw that the yard door and back door were bolted. The back kitchen window was shut, but she could not say if it was latched. Her husband oame home about midnight. and called her downstairs. On ooming down she found that the drawers in the kitchen had been opened and things taken away. The yard and back door were unbolted, and her husband told her he had shut the back kitchen window. She identified the articles produced as her children' clothing. Some had been taken from the front room. She valued the goods at 30s.—John Slack, the husband, deposed that he left home at 9-15, and returned about 12-15. He found the drawers pulled out, and the contents in disorder, and the scullery window was open. He gave information to the police. —ln reply to Mr Bkouoirrov both witnesses stated that they did not wish to go on with the case for the sake of accused's husband and children.—DetectiveSergeant Black stated to having suspected accused be took out a search warrant, and on visiting her house, he found all the articles produced in various parts of the house. On being charged accused said somebody must have put them there. I shall appear for my defenoe.—ln reply to Mr BROUGHTON, witness said that when he told prosecutor that he suspected the accused, 'prosecutor told him he wished to consult his brotherin-law, who was a solicitor, before taking out a warrant. He afterwards sent a message by his wife that be did not wish to take out a warrant, as it might be dangerous. The police then did it on their own responsibility. —P. C Percival corroborated. The , Benoh then committed the prisoner for trial at the next Quarter Sessions, and declined to accept bail, as the Sessions are held next week. A. second charge of attempting to commit suioiee in the polio* cells was was not proceeded with.