EXTRAORDINARY ASSAULT CASE.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1843, 22 January 1889, Page 3

EXTRAORDINARY ASSAULT CASE.

At the Sydney Central Police Court, Maggie Blair, or M’Cleary, was charged with haying assaulted Mrs Mary Jane Hedburgand her daughter Annie. The story of the assault, as given by the elder prosecutrix, shows that it was of a peculiar character. It was committed in the shop of Wm, Scott, who carries on business as a chemist. Mrs Hedburg said she went to the shop and ordered a set of teeth, which were to cost £2 10s. She again visited the shop on the following day to have a model taken of her mouth. She stated that she was then induced to have an under set of teeth also made. On the Saturday following, about 4 o’clock in the afternoon, she and her daughter again visited the dentist, when Scott conducted her into a back room, and proceeded to fit the teeth to her mouth. They did not fit and she informed him that they would not suit, whereupon he became angry, and said Mrs Hedburg and her daughter would not be allowed to leave the place until the teeth were paid for. He then called in the woman Blair, or M’Cleary, who appeared to act as housekeeper, and put her on guard over the two females, who were kept imprisoned till halfpast 10 o’clock at night. As soon as Blair was put in charge, it was alleged, she seized Mrs Hedburg by the throat, knocked her backwards on the sofa, and then thumped her on the back, and slapped her face. Her daughter called out for help, when Blair seized a pair of forceps from the table and threatened to ram the instrument down the girl’s throat. She also called both of them all the vile names possible. After some time Scott returned, and placing a small clock on the table, said he would give them half an hour in which to pay the amount he claimed, and if they did not do so he would “ do for her.” Within that period the then terribly frightened females resolved to pay the money, and, having secured a receipt, they were allowed to leave the premises. Corroborative evidence was given by the daughter ; and Mr Hedburg, | an engineer, living at Balmain, deposed to his wife showing the marks of her ill-treatment on her arrival home. Evidence was also given that the prosecutrix and her family bore a very high character for respectability. Eor the defence, evidence was given by Scott, the woman Blair, and Emma Taunton, a servant employed on the premises. Each admitted that Mrs and Miss Hedburg had been forcibly L kept in the room, as it was believed

that they “trying on” a little unfair “ dodge,” but it was stated that no blows were struck by Blair. Scott did not dispute the fact that he, on bringing the clock into the room, said he would give them half an hour to make up their minds whether to pay or not, but added that he told them that at the end of that time he intended to send for the police. The magistrate considered the charges fully proved, and fined the defendant £5 in each case, or in default two months’ imprisonment. Mr Greer, who appeared on behalf of the prosecutrix, said it was intended to take action against Scott in' another court.