SHOCKING CHILD CRUELTY

Chronicle (Levin), 5 November 1946, Page 5

SHOCKING CHILD CRUELTY

Press Assn

GIP.L HALF STARVED AND BURNT— EVIDENCE AT TRIAL OF MOTHER

By Telegraph

i.-Copyright

Received Tuesday, 10.55 a.m. LONDON, Nov. 4. "This is the worst case of child cruelty it has even been my misfortune to handle," said the Protection Society's inspeetor, giving evidence before a court trying a London mother, Mary Tichner. The inspector said that in a family of seven there was cruelty against only one child, the eight-year-old daughter, Jean. She was half starved, with her bones nearly protruding. There was hardly an inch of her body not marked with sores, scars and bruises. Her nose was flattened, and lips bruised, and her swollen left toes were deeply cut. , The child had said that she had been burned with a lighted stick and matches. The inspector added that the torture had apparentlv been inflic-ted because the child, who was hungry, stole some apples. The palrn of one hand was widely burned. The child had not been tortured in the heat of the moment, or when her mother was under the influence of drink, but over a period oi' many months when the child was kept in solitary confinement. The father made no effort to prevent the brutalities, although aware of them. The case was adjourned to November 6 when Jean broke down while giving evidence.