100 YEARS AGO: CRIPPLED FATHER OF SIXTEEN ASSAULTS WOMAN WITH HIS CRUTCH

Now that is what I call a headline, it wouldn't be out of place in any daily tabloid newspaper, however it is from the pages of The Salford City Reporter, July 1922... read on.

John Joseph Jones who resided at Brunswick Street, Salford appeared at Salford Magistrates Court charged with assaulting Edith Kinchin, and there was a counter summons by him for wilful damage.

The full story unfolded before the Stipendiary Magistrate Mr W. F. Atkin a tale of bad blood and no love lost between them.

Edith who appeared in the dock with a "severe bruise, visible" on her face, told the court that, she saw Jones on the street and reminded him that she had not forgotten about the lump on her head, which she alleged he had caused in an earlier argument  he reacted by striking her in the face with his crutch which felled her to the ground, Jones wife then joined in the assault by hitting her with a stick as she lay on the ground, and she was taken to Salford Royal Hospital for treatment.

Jones told the Court a different story, he said that he was only acting in self defence after she assaulted him, and claimed that she offered him 17 shilling and sixpence to settle the matter.

Prior to this she had stopped him in the street and assaulted him, he intended pressing charges against her but on a Police Constables advice he stayed indoors, but the morning following the alleged assault on her, at 1.20am he was woken by the sound of breaking glass and looking through his bedroom window he saw Edith in her stockinged feet, armed with a stick, smashing three of his windows.

Edith vehemently denied this saying that was still at Salford Royal Hospital being treated for her injuries caused by the Jones family. This was backed up by two women friends of her.

The Stipendiary Magistrate no doubt less than amused by both parties, gave his verdict.

Edith Kinchin was fined 20 shillings for breaking Mr Jones windows and warned about her future behaviour.

He then fined John Joseph Jones, 20 shillings for the assault but added that in his opinion he had taken advantage of his crutch, and if he came before him again for a similar offence, he would make it very awkward for him.

Reading between the lines they both sound a dreadful pair of neighbours who would go out of their way to cause trouble and deserved what they got, I wonder what the legalities of sending a one legged man to prison are?

My late Father used to tell me, that In Ireland you can't hang a man with a wooden leg...I asked why... the reply was... you have to use a rope... the Winter nights flew by in our house.

Photo: Rear of Brunswick Street.