HC Deb 11 July 1887 vol 317 cc353-4
MR. PICKERSGILL (Bethnal Green, S.W.)

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, Whether his attention has been called to the following Report in The Globe newspaper of a case heard at the Westminster Police Court yesterday:— Mary Williams, 21, a well-dressed and well-spoken young woman, described as of no occupation, and living at 307, Old Street, St. Luke's, was charged with being drunk and disorderly at Holden Terrace, Pimlico, outside the Victoria Station of the District Railway. Constable Wire, 243, said that last night about half-past 9 o'clock he was called to the District Railway Station, when he found the prisoner drunk and interfering with passengers. She had a crowd of people around her, and he was obliged to take her into custody. The accused said she was not intoxicated. She felt so faint in the station that she went to the refreshment-room for a little pale brandy, but this she could not drink, and a gentleman seeing that she was be ill offered her some sal volatile. She was taken to the attendant, and went in a fit. When she came round …. two constables came to her side, and said, 'Why you're drunk.' She felt much upset at this, and told them that she was faint, and had nothing to eat. Mr. D'Eyncourt: Do you live in Old Street? The accused: That is my uncle. I am going to be his manageress. Vince, the assistant gaoler, said the accused had a fit that morning. He did not know whether she was subject to them. Mr. D'Eyncourt: Have you any friend with you? The defendant, crying bitterly, said she had never been in a court before. Last night she came from Baron's Court to Victoria, intending to go to Brixton. It was the first time she had been out for a fortnight. The constable said the Railway Station Inspector, Mr. Shenton, was in court, and had signed the charge sheet. Mr. D'Eyncourt did not call this witness, and discharged the accused without comment; and, if this Report is correct, whether, in the interest alike of the police and the public, he will direct a Departmental inquiry into the conduct of the constable and of the officer who took the charge at the station?

THE SECRETARY OF STATE (Mr. MATTHEWS) (Birmingham, E.)

I have already inquired into this case, and I have received a Report from the magistrate to the Chief Commissioner, which I shall be happy to show the hon. Member; and I think he would then see that no further inquiry is necessary to be made into the conduct of the constable. The woman had already been turned out of the railway refreshment-room by the Station Inspector; and, on being ordered by the police constable, she refused to go away, and he was obliged to take her into custody.

MR. PICKERSGILL

asked, whether the Station Inspector went to the police station immediately afterwards?

MR. MATTHEWS

said, the Inspector was called before the charge was taken.