Un-Lady Like Conduct

Mary Skinning a young lady in a hat and feathers and a cloud was summoned for assaulting Mary Ann Scott. The complainant said she lived in Oxenden Street. On Friday afternoon she went into the Pimlico Tavern to refresh herself with a pint of beer. Whilst there the defendant quarrelled with another girl and witness was horrified at the epithets which she applied to her.  She endeavoured to expostulate with the defendant when the latter turned upon her and struck her in the eye and upon the shoulder and kicked her upon the leg. 

Witness declared solemnly that she never gave any provocation. In addition to the assault on Friday the defendant on meeting her the next day threw some beer into her face from a can she was carrying and on meeting her on the railway bridge in Limekiln Street after the summons had been served upon her she insulted witness and declared she would “swing” for her.

The defendant did not deny the assault but said she was provoked by the complainant who was a woman of the same class as herself and in the habit of offering provocation to everyone with whom she came in contact. The Magistrates fined Miss Skinner 1s and the costs in all half a guinea which she paid.

1870.