Denton and Haughton Examiner, etc. — 1892-04-30 (Denton, Greater Manchester, England)

ACTRESS'S TROUBLE.  Laura Harrington, the young actress, of Torringtonplace, Russell-square, London, was brought up, on remand, at Marylebone on Saturday, charged with threatening to commit suicide. Mr. A. Osborn (Osborn and Osborn), solicitor, appeared to defend ; and Mr. A. L. Lewis, solicitor, watched the case for Mr. Weise. Constable Mooney was recalled, and said that since the prisoner had been in custody he had discovered that she had not taken any poison. Mr. Weiss was the first to make a complaint, and said she had threatened to commit suicide on his doorstep and she should be found there dead before the morning. She certainly did appear strange in her manner. At this point Mr. Weiss laughed aloud, and Mr. Osborn remarked that it was no laughing matter. Mr. Lewis said his client wished to supplement the evidence he gave last week; also to correct two remarks which appeared in the public prints. Mr. Hannay said the Press were free to make comments, so long as they did not overstep the bounds. Mr. Weiss said prisoner had fallen when he became acquainted with her—(The prisoner That is untrue)—and she had given birth to a child. (A. woman at the beck of the court "You scoundrel r) Mr. Osborn Is this evidence of this woman having threatened suicide? The Magistrate I suppose the witness wants to explain that he did not ruin the girl. Mr. Lewis : Yes, sir, that is what my client desires to do. Mr. Osborn: Yes; but that is no answer to having caused the woman to be in the miserable state she is now in. Mr. Weiss (continuing) said he in the first instance attended Miss Harrington professionally. About a fortnight or three weeks afterwards, she called on him at an unprofessional hour, and wanted to know if he would like to take a walk with her. Mr. Hannay : That is enough of that. I have a letter here in which she accuses you of casting her off, and your wishing to drive her on to the streets. Have you any more to say about the lady? Mr. Weiss: I say she has introduced my name into this case with an object. She is simply following the example of an actress who is well known, and is seeking notoriety by threatening suicide. The Magmtrate I understand you wish to continue to allow her 10s. a week? Mr. Weiss: Not one penny--not ova farthing. Cross-examined: It was not true that he made overtures to her when she calied on him to attend to her teeth. He knew at that time that she was an artist's model, and was getting her living in that way. He had paid for her "existence." He had had nothing to do with her since last August. He knew that up to a degree she had some regard for him. Since he left her she had forced her way into his house, and had extracted money from hiss. It was at his suggestion that she had sat as an artist's model. He had suggested that she should go to Alma Tadema and other well-known artists. Mr. Osborn Did you tell her you were a married man? The Magistrate What does that matter? Mr. Weiss : lam a married man, and I was separated from my wife ten years ago. For the defence, Mr. Osborn said, as often happens, Mr. Weiss got tired of this woman—(Mr. Weiss: "True ")—and then he promised he would make her an allowance. It was pure imagination to say she desired publicity and notoriety. It was Mr. Weiss who drew the attention of the police to her, because he feared a scandal might arise as the result of his conduct. She was without parents or friends, and was now cut off from employment either as an actress ores a model. He asked the magistrate to discharge the prisoner, as she never took any poison, and had no intention of doing so. She was excited when she used the threat. Mr. Hannay ordered the defendant to find one surety in £lO to keep the peace for two months, or 14 days' imprisonment.