Mexborough Swinton Times February 17, 1917

Inhuman Mexborough Mother
Burns Children’s Hands
“To Keep Them From The Fire.”

A revolting story of a Mexborough woman’s cruelty to a two young children was told at the Doncaster West Riding Police Court on Tuesday, to Mr John Brocklesby (presiding) and other magistrates, when a respectably dressed and clean looking young married woman, Jesse Benton, of 25, Bank Street Mexborough, whose husband is with the Royal Engineers in France, was summoned for cruelty to her two children, George, aged five, and Ernest, aged three and further with neglecting them.

Mr W Baddiley, who prosecuted on behalf of the N.S.P.C.C., said the woman was in receipt of a government allowance of 24/6 each week, and in addition received 3/6 from the pit.

For a long time she had been in the habit of leaving home about 5 o’clock in the afternoon and frequenting public houses with men, not returning home until midnight very often. The children had been left at home all that time, and in order to keep them away from the fire – there was no fireguard – she had burned them both with a piece of iron. She burned them very severely, in order that they should not play with the fire, and so that she should be able to go drinking with these men.

On February 7 it came to the knowledge of the inspector, who went to see the children, and in consequence what he saw he called in a doctor, who examined them, and later they were removed from the defendant’s care. The children were fairly well nourished and clean, but their underclothing was very dirty. The house, too, was very dirty, and the bedroom evil smelling.

The defendant could not excuse herself on the ground of poverty, and there was no reason at all for her to go drinking. The children had been taken away from her, and he (Mr Baddiley) should ask for an order giving the children into someone else’s custody.

But the case did not stop there, for since the summons was taken out the defendant and her relatives have been threatening the witnesses, and even so recently as the previous night. One even dared not come to court, and had had to be brought by Dr Huey in his motorcar.

At the beginning of the year the defendant’s husband came home, and defendant was out at the public house. He was nearly heartbroken when he discovered what she was doing, and begged and prayed of his mother to look after them. When they told her they were going to remove the children she replied that she did not care whether they did or not.

Inspector Lloyd (N.S.P.C.C.) bore out the statement. On George’s left wrist was a burn about the size of a shilling, quite raw and inflamed. There was another burn on his first finger, and that was raw and inflamed. On the other child there was a large burn on the right hand, also raw and inflamed. He asked the elder child how they were caused, and he pointed to his mother and said “Mother did it.” The defendant at first denied it, but afterwards admitted she had burnt the children’s hands with a piece of metal. She said she had done it to prevent them playing with the fire. It was an open fireplace and there was no fireguard.

He (witness) asked that defendants husband’s brother should have the custody of the children. It was the father’s wish they should be removed.

Dr J.J. Huey, who examined the children, said they had undoubtedly been subjected to very severe punishment.

Inspector Barraclough, who accompanied Inspector Lloyd on his visit of inspection, said he had known the defendant about eight months, and in October he cautioned her about her general conduct, about being out at night in the street with other women and men, and leaving her children all alone.

Mrs Myers, a neighbour, and the wife of a soldier, gave corroborative evidence as to the defendant’s neglect of their children. She had heard the children crying in the night, and pitmen had stopped in the street to listen to their cries. Defendant had gone out at all hours, and had come in late many times, and some nights had not come in at all. Witness had been afraid to come to court to give evidence.

Nelly Benton, defendant sister-in-law, said at one time she lived with defendant after her husband had gone soldiering. She was in the habit then of visiting public houses, and witness had often gone for her, but she refused to come. She had seen strange main walking up the street with their arms round her.

The defendant pleaded for a chance, but the Chairman said she had been guilty of barbarous cruelty to the children. It was difficult to understand how a mother, who should have natural regard for their children, could inflict such punishment on children of such tender age. They would be better taken out of her care, and the court ordered they should be under the care of Mr and Mrs Benton, and for the offence, which they regarded as a very serious one, defendant would be committed to prison for three months.

Defendant was led from the Court weeping bitterly.