ABSTRACT
Mary Shamp v. Bessie Hellem.—Both parties are wives of soldiers belonging to the 52nd Regiment, stationed in Cambridge Barracks, and each charged the other with having committed an assault on the 2nd instant.—Mr. Douglas Ford appeared on Hellem’s behalf.—Shamp’s statement was to the effect that Hellem came to her room and struck her, dragged her down the passage, bit her, and kicked her, without provocation.—The Clerk: Did you strike Hellem?—Shamp: No; I was not able. I was too weak.—What did it all occur about? Had you not lost a purse?—Yes.—Did you accuse her of having stolen your money?—No.—Mr. Ford: You both belong to Malta, don’t you?—Yes.—And you are used to this sort of thing there, are you not?—No. We have quarrelled together before, but have made it up again.—A girl named Been stated that the fight between the two women lasted for half-an-hour.—Mr. Emanuel: What, for half-an-hour in the Cambridge Barracks, Portsmouth I [sic]—Witness further said that Shamp pushed Hellem, which caused her to fall upon her back on the ground, and then Hellem seized Shamp and knocked her head against the wall.—Mr. Ford said the whole matter had been investigated by the commanding-officer of the regiment, and dismissed.—The Bench thought it a case which should have been disposed of at the barracks with closed doors, and never have been brought before them. They believed it to be six of one and half-a-dozen of the other, and, therefore, dismissed the information against Hellem.—Mr. Ford said he should withdraw the second.
