OLD MAID’S PASSION FOR VILLAGE RECTOR

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 384, 19 June 1928, Page 13

OLD MAID’S PASSION FOR VILLAGE RECTOR

“EITHER MAD OR BAD” TWO MONTHS IN GAOL Miss Aimee de Beaumont-Check-land, of Torrs Park, Ilfracombe, was arrested recently for failing to appear at Ilfracombe Police Court to answer a summons for breaking her recognisances. She was charged on March 5, at Combe Martin Police Court, with riotous and violent behaviour in Combe Martin Church on February 27. It was alleged that she had stated that she loved the rector, the Rev. R. Seymour, and intended to marry him. She was then bound over in £IOO, with two sureties of similar amounts, on condition that she did not enter Combe Martin again, or communicate with or annoy the rector in any way. Mr. G. F. Lefroy, for the Rev. R. Seymour, contended that Miss Beau-mont-Checkland was hopelessly different from other people. She was either mad or bad, and she must be put under some kind of restraint. Police-constable Bolt said Miss Beaumont-Checkland returned to Combe Martin on Good Friday. The next day he saw her at the church waiting for the rector. She was making a scene. On Easter Sunday she attempted to enter the rectory. Later the rector, accompanied by witness, walked up the road; she followed and annoyed the rector. P.C. Bolt said he spoke to her about her recognisances, and she replied; “You can do what you like. I defy the magistrates and the Chief Constable and I defy you.” The chairman of the Bench, Mr. Shaw, said the magistrates had decided to commit Miss Beaumont-Checkland to Exeter Gaol for two months in the second division. They issued a warrant, and she was arrested at Salisbury and sent to Exeter Gaol to serve her sentence.