Mexborough and Swinton Times, July 8th, 1932
Neighbours’ Quarrel
Kilnhurst Women Bound Over
The hearing of a number of cases in which Kilnhurst persons accused each other of assault terminated suddenly at Rotherham West Riding Police Court when the parties on the advice of their solicitors, agreed to be bound over.
Emily Roper, married of 41 West Avenue, Kilnhurst, was bound over in the sum of £5 for months for having assaulted Mrs. Frances F. Critchlow, married of 40, West Avenue, Kilnhurst. For having assaulted Frances E. Kemp, married of 132 Victoria Road, Parkgate, Mrs. Critchlow’s daughter, Frances Critchlow, was similarly bound over on a cross summons for having assaulted Mrs. Roper on two occasions.
Ernest Roper, pit hand, Mrs Roper’s husband, was bound over on a summons for having assaulted Mrs. Critchlow’s husband, John Critchlow, and for having damaged his spectacles. John Critchlow was bound over on a cross summons for having assaulted Emily Roper.
Mr. L. H. Brittain said the summons were in respect of incidents which took place on June 18th and 21st. On June 18th, Critchlow was going to Rotherham, shortly before she set off her husband heard Mrs. Roper making threats against her. He decided to meet his wife when she returned to Kilnhurst station at 11.20 p.m., Mrs. Roper also got off the same train. When close to their house, Mrs. Roper took off her shoe and struck Mrs Critchley a violent blow in the mouth and also hit her on the eye with the shoe. Mrs. Critchlow’s mouth was bleeding badly and she had a black eye.
Some days later Mrs. Critchlow was in the common yard where the two families lived when Mrs. Roper walked down the yard and said “I have been waiting for you a long time,” and struck her on the head with a bottle. Mrs. Critchlow staggered against the wall and Mrs. Roper was lifting the bottle to strike her again when the bottle was taken from her by James Critchlow, a son of Mrs. Critchlow. Mrs. Roper got hold of Mrs. Critchlow and struck her about the face with her fist.
As this trouble was going on, John Critchlow attempted to stop Mrs Roper and then Ernest Roper came along and struck Critchlow a violent blow in the face and broke his spectacles.
Frances Critchlow gave evidence and said trouble first arose between them on June 6th, concerning their children.
In cross-examination Mr. Donald Dunn, witness, admitted that when she went to Rotherham she was in the Grey Horse Hotel for some time with Mrs Roper. They had both gone to make certain payments to a club. She denied that in the club room she struck Mrs Roper with her hand on the jaw and that her daughter, Frances E. Kemp, also attempted to strike her.
Witness admitted that all three returned in the same railway carriages to Kilnhurst. She denied that trouble arose when a man asked them to move a table in the carriage, or that witness struck Mrs. Roper a blow with a bag which she was carrying.
Mr. Dunn further examined witness as to incidents which happened when they were walking home from the station. Mrs. Critchlow denied that she followed Mrs. Roper, got hold of her by the hair and pulled her to the ground. Her husband did not kick Mrs. Roper in the face, and she denied that Mrs. Roper had to be assisted into her house by her son.
At this point the parties all agreed to be bound over. Mr. J. S. Colton Fox (Chairman of the Bench) in agreeing to this course being adopted, said it would only cause bad blood if the affair was fought out again in court.