From Burnley Express and Advertiser. Wednesday June 20th 1928. Page 8
GIRL SENT TO ASSIZES
"NOT GUILTY" PLEA TO MURDER CHARGE
REMARKABLE REVELATIONS AT YARMOUTH
Edith Alston, the 16-year-old Burnley girl who was rescued from the river at Great Yarmouth, was yesterday, by the magistrates, sent for trial at the Guildford Assizes on charges of attempted suicide and the murder of Thomas Greenhalgh Sutcliffe, a master boot repairer, of Albert-street, Burnley, who was found drowned.
[From our Yarmouth Correspondent]
Great Yarmouth, Tuesday.
To-day, at the Yarmouth Police Court, Edith Alston (16), of 30, Hobart-street, Burnley, was charged on remand with attempted suicide and the murder of Thomas Greenhalgh Sutcliffe, master boot repairer, 107a Albert-street, Burnley on May 30th.
Mr F. Pearson appeared for the prisoner, and Mr. R. H. Pashley prosecuted on behalf of the Director of Public Prosecutions.
Girls Letter To Sutcliffe.
Mr. Pashley outlined the case, stating that there was not the slightest doubt that Sutcliffe and the prisoner were very fond of each other. He read a letter from Sutcliffe to the prisoner, which said: "I felt if you had asked me to go away with you or die together I should have done it."
It was, said Mr. Pashley, laid down that where two people mutually agreed to commit suicide, and only one died, the survivor was, in the eyes of the law, guilty of murder, and liable to be so charged.
Robert Boast, night watchman, stated that between one o'clock and two o'clock on the morning of May 30th, he heard someone call out whilst he was engaged in watching on board a drifter in the harbour.
How Accused was Rescued.
Witness added that he saw the prisoner hanging on to the vessel's fender, and with the help of another man he got her on board.
Prisoner stated that she had been in the river since eleven o'clock. When she was asked where she came from, she said "A long way."
Wm. Garrood, boatman, said that on June 9th his attention was directed to Sutcliffe's body in the river by passengers on a pleasure boat. He secured the body, which had two handkerchiefs in the button-holes of the coat.
Were Very Affectionate.
Sutcliffe's widow, who was much distressed, said she had known the prisoner and her parents for six years. For the last two years the prisoner had been helping her husband with his work. In December she became a full-time apprentice, and would be alone with Mr. Sutcliffe, witness being at work as weaver. Sutcliffe and the prisoner were very affectionate, and attended meetings together.
On May 20th, she told Alston that people were talking about her. She ordered her out of the house. On Whit-Monday, her husband left home at mid-day, and that was the last time she saw him. They had been married 13 years.
What People Were Asking.
Florence Heaton, prisoner's mother, stated that the girl was a daughter by a former marriage. In the middle of May, she took the girl away from Sutcliffe's employment and she told her that people were asking who was the real Mrs Sutcliffe. On Whit-Monday, she and her husband went to Manchester, leaving the girl alone. On their return, the girl had gone.
Mr. Pearson, on behalf of Alston, pleaded "Not Guilty," and she re???ted her defence.
Alston was committed to Guildford Assizes which will be held on June 29th.
_________________ Mel
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Last edited by Mel on Tue Jun 12, 2007 9:12 pm, edited 2 times in total.
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