[List-Cumbria] Carlisle Patriot, 19 Oct 1822 - City Sessions (1)

[Petra Mitchinson]

Saturday 19 Oct 1822   (p. 3, col. 1-2)

 

CITY SESSIONS. 

 

The Michaelmas Quarter Sessions for the City and Liberties of Carlisle, were holden at the Town-Hall, on Monday, before Wm. HODGSON,
Esq. Mayor, and a Bench of Aldermen. Mr. Thomas HUDSON was foreman of the Grand Jury. 

 

The King on the prosecution of Jane SHEPHERD, v. RENNIE.—This was a case of assault; the defendant is a clock and watch maker in
Scotch-street; the prosecutrix is the wife of a person recently in his employment. She had no professional adviser, and the Mayor
was obliged to question the witnesses. 

 

Jane SHEPHERD deposed that in May last, she lived in Hutton's Lane, Scotch-street, Carlisle, her husband being then in the
defendant's employment. A Mrs. M'LEOWNAM came to her and inquired if she would let her room? She replied in the negative. Soon
after, RENNIE put a padlock upon her door, and witness took it off; he then came himself; she just put her hand upon his shoulder,
and asked him what business he had there, when he struck her six or seven times; he hit her on the left breast, which was black six
or seven weeks afterwards. He pushed her out of doors; she went in again, and he then tore the cap from her head, and again thrust
her out. She once more went in, and he took her by the neck, —— for a ——, and swore he would murder her. As she still persisted in
going in, he kicked her in the left side, and knocked her down; she then went and obtained a warrant against him. On her
cross-examination, she admitted that she took hold of the frill of his shirt, but did nor tear it away before he struck her; she did
not strike him; neither did she say to Ann M'LEOWNAM that she would keep the room as long as she could, and never pay any rent. 

 

Mary ATKINSON saw the Defendant have hold of SHEPHERD by the neck, and she had hold of him by the breast. She heard a noise a little
before; RENNIE desired SHEPHERD to go out of the house; she replied that the house was her's, and she would remain in it. 

 

This was the case for the prosecution. Mr. DIXON, solicitor, appeared in behalf of the Defendant. 

 

Ann M'LEOWNAM was called. She said she took a room of the prosecutrix four or five days before Whitsuntide, and was to pay 1s. 6d.
per week for it. SHEPHERD told her the door was nailed, because RENNIE had taken the lock off. Witness said she would go to RENNIE
and endeavour to get the key of him; SHEPHERD replied, that witness might take the nail out of the door, and go in as soon as she
chose. Witness then took the nail out, made a fire in the room, and went to RENNIE, and requested him to put a lock upon the door.
There was nothing but a little straw in the room; SHEPHERD told her, that if she would pay the rent weekly she should have it, but
not if she gave it up to RENNIE, to whom she would never pay any rent. Witness did not take the room on RENNIE's account; she was
not friendly with him. 

 

Charles MACARTNEY went with the defendant to a room occupied by the prosecutor. RENNIE desired her to go out; she said she would
not, and caught hold of him by the breast, struck him over the face, and kept hold of his shirt frill until she tore it away. A
struggle ensued; RENNIE put his arms down by his side, and desired prosecutrix to let him go; and requesting witness to notice that
they had a struggle, he got her to the door.—Cross-examined, MACARTNEY said he did not see Defendant strike her: he might have
struck her, but witness did not see him do it. He saw Mrs. M'LEOWNAM three hours afterwards in the room, and he subsequently saw her
at RENNIE's, desiring him to put a lock upon the door. 

 

The Jury found the defendant Guilty; but as the matter was immediately compromised, the Court did not deem it necessary to pass any
sentence. RENNIE paid defendant £3, and was then discharged. 

 

 

[to be continued] 

 

 

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