SINGULAR CASE OF JEALOUSY

Evening Star, Issue 4107, 26 April 1876, Page 4

SINGULAR CASE OF JEALOUSY

At the Benalla (New South Wales) police court, a young married woman named Elizabeth Doyle appeared on summons to answer the complaint "of Lucy Bamford, a girl of about 18, for assaulting her on the Benalla racecourse, on the 10th ult., by slashing her shoulder with a riding-whip The evidence of Miss Bamford (states the ‘North-Eastern Ensign’) went to show that on the day named she was on the racecourse, and three or four others with herself started for a canter round; shortly afterwards the husband of defendant rode •after and joi .ed the party. The canter became a gallop, and being well mounted sbe eventually took the lead, followed closely by Mr Doyle, the others nowhere, complainant being a good length a-head at the winningpost. Soon after this, the defendant rocle up, and without any provocation committed the assault, complained of. After the complainant had received several smart cuts some persons rode up between them. In her crossexamination by Mr Martyr, who appeared for the defendant, she stated that she had known the Doyles for some time, and Mr Doyle had ridden by her side previously on the same day, at which Mrs Doyle had expreseed her dislike. She had never sent Mr Doyle a photograph of herself, but had given one to a female friend, from whom, perhaps he might have obtained it, but not with her consent or knowledge. Mrs Doyle had told her to get out of the road, as her husband had ridden after her twice William Bamford, complainant’s father, corroborated the evidence regarding the assault. For the defence Mr Martyr said his client did not deny the assault, but considered she had ample cause for it. He had been instructed to say more than he should do respecting this case, but he might state that an undue familiarity or flirtation had been estabhshed between the complainant and his client s husband, which the wife considered she had a right to put a summary check upon. On the morning of the day ipentioned her husband had paid more attention to Miss Bamford than the wife thought was becoming to either, and she had cautioned tha,t young lady not to encourage it. beeing them afterwards together ahead of the party, she had taken the only effectual means of showing her disapproval, and he thought that under those circumstances a nominal fine of a shilling would be sufficient punishment for the act. The Bench inflicted a penalty of 20s, with 26s costs.