CHIPPING NORTON.

CHADLINGTON PETTY SESSIONS - July 24.

Before the Rev. Canon Carter (in the chair), Aldermen Webb and J.B. Bowen, and Mr. T.H. Burbidge.

Assaulting a Blind Sister-in-Law at Leafield.- John Townsend, labourer, of Leafield, was summoned for assaulting Alice Pratley, his sister-in-law, at Leafield, on the 13th July. Defendant pleaded guilty.- Complainant, who is blind, and was assisted to the witness box by her sister, said she was sent down to her brother-in-law's house on an errand, and she had only been there a few minutes before defendant came in and accused her of going to the house for the purpose of obtaining food. Witness then walked out into the yard, but presently returned, when defendant at once commenced using very foul and abusive language towards her. She was going across the room to sit in a chair, and in doing so she supposed the stick she was carrying must have touched defendant, for he took her by the side of the ear and sent her backwards against the screen. She was partially stunned for a minute or two and id not know where she was.- Defendant also gave evidence. He said he had repeatedly told his sisters-in-law to keep away from the house. Surely he was master in his own house. When he married their sister he did not marry the other two, and he did not want them "hanging around" the house. He had a wife and nine children to look after, and he thought that quite enough.- The Chairman said the magistrates thought it a very serious thing for a man to strike a blind woman, and they had had some hesitation in deciding whether to sent him to Oxford or not. They would, however, content themselves on this occasion by warning hhim very strongly against a repetition of the offence, and by fining him 10s. inclusive.- The Clerk: That is nothing to do with this Court.- Mr. Burbidge: Next time you want to hit anybody hit a man, not a blind woman.