Sarah Ann Panter, wife of Thomas Panter, of Castlethorpe, labourer, was charged with assaulting Elizabeth Ann Cowley, widow, at Castlethorpe, on the 25th of April.
Mr. Darnell, of Northampton, appeared to prosecute, and Mr. Phillips, also of Northampton, defended.
Prosecurix stated that she kept a shop at Castlethorpe in the drapery line, and the defendant owed her some money. On the 25th ult., a letter (produced), in the defendant’s handwriting, enclosing 1s. on account, as left at her shop by a little boy. She replied to the letter saying that the case would go to the County Court. About 15 minutes later defendant came into witness’s shop and threw some money, which proved to be the amount due, at her, and asked for the letter, which she refused to give up, and ordered her out. She also told defendant that her husband should see the letter. Defendant then left and returned at 12 0’clock, and said “Mrs. Cowley, if you don’t destroy that letter I’ll kill you.” Witness still refused to part with the letter, and defendant then left the shop and entered the living room, the letter being on the table; they both tried to get it, but witness reached it first. Defendant then banged her against a cupboard and hit her hand, and afterwards threw her down, a chair falling on her. Defendant also got her on the sofa putting her knee into her ribs and breaking one of them. She went to Dr. Rutherford, and he was still attending her. Defendant was trying to take the letter away the whole of the time.
In cross-examination prosecutrix further stated that the amount owing was 10s 1d. She did say she should let defendant’s neighbours know that she owed witness money. She showed Harriett Panter the letter, because defendant made charges against her husband, who was a relation of witness’s late husband. She told defendant she would show the letter to defendant’s husband.
Harriett Panter, sister-in-law to defendant, stated that on Wednesday, the 25th ult., at 12 o’clock, she was in the prosecutrix’s house. previous to this prosecutrix had shown her the letter. Defendant came in almost immediately, and said, “Mrs. Cowley, I wish you to destroy the letter, if you don’t I will kill you.” She then rushed at prosecutrix, knocking her into a chair. Witness ran away and told defendant’s mother-in-law, not wishing to be drawn into any dispute.
Cross-examined: She wanted defendant’s mother-in-law to come to her house and see the letter, but she would not.
Mr. Phillips addressed the Bench for defence, and called.
Mrs. Panter, mother-in-law of defendant, who said that she saw defendant after the occurrence in question, and her face and arms were much scratched. There had been a little jealousy between the last witness and the defendant about the children.
The Bench imposed a penalty of 20s, including costs.