Mexborough & Swinton Times – Friday 26 September 1902
Attempted Suicide at Mexborough
Saved by an ex-army Man
A Girls Foolish Act
The sequel to a case of attempted suicide at Mexborough took place at the Doncaster West Riding Ct on Saturday.
Ada Hettie Brayshaw, aged 15 years, was charged with having attempted to commit suicide by drowning, at Mexborough.
The accused has been out to service, but her home is in Mexborough.
Walter Simpson, Butcher, 21, Bridge Street, Swinton, was the only witness sworn. He said that on Sunday, the 7th inst. about 9:45 a.m. he was going along the canal bank at Mexborough. When opposite Barron’s Glass works he heard someone call out to him. He ran back to a man. When he got to the place he saw someone in the canal. He jumped in and succeeded in getting the accused out. She was handed over to a friends and taken home.
The Chairman: Had you much difficulty in getting her out?
The witness: No, sir, not much. I’ve been in the army, employed on the bathing picket.
Inspector Watson said the girl left a letter on the canal bank, which he handed to the magistrates. About a week previously companion of the prisoners drowned herself in the same place, and that appeared to have played on her mind and troubled her.
The Chairman asked the father of the girl if he had had any reason to suspect anything of the kind.
The father said he had not the slightest suspicion. Together come home on holidays, and had been at home a week when this happened. The doctor who had been attending her said she was now all right, and the opinion pronounced her sane.
The Chairman: You know what you have attempted to do. If you are set at liberty will you promise not to do it again?
The prisoner: Yes, sir.
The Chairman: if it had not been for that witness you would have been drowned. You will be bound over to be of good behaviour for six months, and come up for judgement when called upon.