Tue, Mar 30, 1982
Jennifer Hollings is accused of wounding with intent to commit GBH against her baby son Matthew who was pulled from his pushchair, shaken violently and his head banged against a fence. The Prosecution say that following the sudden "cot death" of her baby daughter Mrs. Hollings never accepted her later-born son. The Defence case is that following her daughter's death Mrs. Hollings was terrified Matthew would also die suddenly and, seeing no response from him, took drastic action to stir him back into life.
Tue, Apr 6, 1982
Seventeen year old Arthur Holland is charged with the murder of his twenty six year old step-mother. Mrs. Holland died after consuming poisonous mushrooms which had been offered to her by him. Arthur is an amateur mycologist with a keen interest in collecting mushrooms. The prosecution claim that he was more than aware that they were dangerous and point to his poor relationship with his father after his remarriage. Arthur admits he dislikes his father but says his relationship with his step-mother was good. He argues that he didn't know the mushrooms were dangerous, misled by an inaccurate guidebook.
Tue, Apr 27, 1982
Paula Carline is accused of maliciously wounding Felicity Carline, her husband's ex-wife. Felicity Carline says that she had an awkward relationship with Paula whom she felt had been unpleasant to her. One day Felicity was buying drinks in an off-licence when she encountered Paula. She was making her way to the exit with her arms embracing a number of bottles when Paula threw a packet of nuts at her that she had forgotten to take with the rest of her shopping. This was an aggressive act that caused her to fall where she was badly cut by glass, causing serious and permanent injuries. Paula does not deny throwing the nuts but insists she was only trying to be helpful; Felicity fell accidentally by tripping on the legs of a display basket on the floor of the poorly-laid out shop.
Tue, May 4, 1982
Student Lucy Brennan won a beauty contest and later accepted a dinner date from Ted Morrison who was on the organising panel. However at the end of the evening she was left with injuries to her neck and face and a torn dress. She told police that he indecently assaulted her, refusing to accept she was not attracted to him. He asserts though that she was a very willing participant in very physical foreplay and that she only took a different line after her flatmate - a former fiancée of his - stumbled upon their encounter.