NIGHT IN A FIELD

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVII, Issue 8341, 30 January 1913, Page 2

NIGHT IN A FIELD

GIRL’S STRANGE STORY,

LONDON, December 22.

. Without calling upon tho defence, AVallasey Magistrates discharged James Poole, IT, hairdresser, of I’oulton road, Seacorabe, who was charged with abducting Wenorah May Heslop, fourteen and a half, Ponlton road. A remarkable story was told by tho girl, whose real name she said,' was Flood. She had been walking out with Poole for sis months, and generally had a baby with lier. On November 22nd he suggested she should run away, and on the Sunday she was persuaded to do so. The baht- was with them, but he wheeled it back home, and left it outside the house. They went to Liverpool, and after having tea she became dizzy and faint, and wanted to go to sleep. Some time was spent in Seftou Park, where they had some lemonade. Poole wrote two notes, which witness did not read, and they went into a field and sat under a tree. She protested against PooleV. actions, and stopped him. Ho afterwards cut her throat with a razor, and she caught his hand. She felt faint, and Poole asked if she was hurt. Ho had a funny look in his eyes, and she renlied, “No.”

They stayed in the field all uight, and in (he morning she suggested going to Ho replied that it ought to be stitched, Ho replied that it ought to bo stotched, and if eho would go to Northwich, where he had relations, she -could go to a doctor there. He took her on a flat at tho docks. Cross-examined, witness said she had been on the stage as an Australian bush child. She never complained of cruelty by her stop-father, and did not threaten to throw herself inlo tho sea. Her mother once said she would put her into a convent. When Poole proposed, they should run away ho said ho could not live without her. The letter Poole (showed her on November 22nd did not read:— Y'o.u aro always getting into rows with your parents through me, and you are koing to get put into a convent. I think the best thine for us to do is what you thought of doing a short time back—to end our lives. 'On no account let me entice you. Think it over, and what you decide to do I will do myself.

She did not go with Poole willingly, but she was not forced, and she could not say that she was mesmerised.