12/01/2024
John James Parsons, a Hucknall miner living on Charles Street, appeared at the Shire Hall on 12th January 1918 charged with assaulting one of his neighbours — with the contents of his chamber pot. It was described by the prosecuting counsel as, “one of the dirtiest, and vilest ever perpetrated by any human being.”
“Hucknall Man’s Dirty Trick
“What Happened in Charles Street – Disgusting Method of Retaliation
“Some singular incidents were related at the Shire Hall on Saturday, [12th January 1918] when John James Parsons, miner, was charged with assaulting Mrs. Nellie Celia Worrall, of 21, Charles street, Hucknall on January 9 [1918]. Defendant pleaded guilty under great provocation.
“In opening the case Mr. Beck said the offence was one of the dirtiest, and vilest ever perpetrated by any human being. The parties were neighbours in Charles street and on January 9 Parsons seized Mrs. Worrall by the back of the neck whilst she was in the yard adjoining their houses, forced her to the ground, and rubbed human excreta over her face, shoulders and blouse.
“A Struggle
“Complainant said defendant seized her from behind, and got hold of her by the throat. She struggled and got out of his grasp. He had some filth in his hands and had tried to put some in her mouth. She told him he was a dirty brute. He replied, “I have got you now!” She had never said or done anything to warrant such conduct.
“In reply to Mr. Young, witness said the trouble about the filth had only arisen in the week previous to the assault.
“Did this man complain that he saw your husband putting this filth about?”
“He did not say anything to me.”
“Did you empty the child’s utensil deliberately on the man’s doorstep?” “No.”
“Parsons (excitedly): “Yes!”
“Mr. Young. “Your back door opens into this yard, and if you go out of the front door, you have to go down the entry?”
“Witness: “When I got there I saw the man, and he was afraid.”
“Is it not a fact you turned your back because the man was waiting and watching for you?” “No.”
“No Provocation
“Do you ask the Bench to believe that Parsons did this act without the slightest provocation of any sort?” “I have given him no provocation of any sort.”
“Mr. Beck: “The filth was rubbed on you?” “Yes.” There was no truth that she had deposited filth on Parson’s doorstep.
“Mrs. Anne Wilson, 25, Charles street, said she found Mrs. Worrall daubed with human dirt, and asked, “Whatever is the matter?” Mrs. Worrall replied, “Whatever has this man rubbed [on me?].” Parsons was bending down washing his hands in the snow. Mrs. Worrall called him a dirty brute.
“Mr. Young said it was one of the most unpleasant cases one had had to deal with, and it gave one an unpleasant taste in the mouth. His client had received provocation, which had goaded him to do what he otherwise would not have dreamt of doing. Parsons had been in one employment since he had left school, had never previously been before a court, and he bore an excellent character.
“Parsons’ Version
“Parsons said that during the past three years there had been little rows between the women. Mrs. Worrall had been given notice by the landlord, and since that date he (defendant) had to complain of the filthiest, dirtiest nuisance he had ever had to put up with. It had got on his crow, so to speak! On the Monday morning he saw Mr. Worrall cause the nuisance. On the Wednesday morning his wife made a statement to him. In consequence of which he got out of bed, went into the yard, picked up some of the dirt, and threw it over Mrs. Worrall.
“Mr. Beck: “Is it true your wife left you?” “She went away.”
“Is it true she communicated with Mrs. Worrall, and since then you have threatened on every available occasion what you would do to her?” “No.”
“Did you say to Mr. Worrall in the presence of his wife that you intended to do for her and would swing for her?” “No.”
“Did Mr. Worrall tell you not to interfere with his wife, and that he would take the necessary steps to prevent you?” “No.”
“Have you threatened Mrs. Worrall or Mrs. Wilson?” “No.”
“Mr. Wilson is in the Army. Have you threatened his wife because she was a friend to your wife at the time?” “No.”
“Do you swear you never took hold of Mrs. Worrall?” “Yes.”
“You rubbed the stuff on her?” “No. I picked up some and threw it at her. Instead of facing me like a man Worrall slipped into the front door of his house. He doesn’t face me.”
“Regrettable
”Do you think it is a proper thing for a man as you are to attack a woman in this un-English fashion, and rub her face?” “I think it was a very regrettable incident on my part, but my temper got the better of me on this occasion.”
“In reply to Mr. Young defendant said he had been offended a dozen times in the yard.
“Mrs. Parsons said that she did not know that her husband had threatened Mrs. Worrall in consequence of their friendship in November 1916.
“The Bench imposed a fine of £1.
“Defendant: “Thank you very much, sir.”
“And thus ended the Charles street drama.” [1]
[1] ‘Hucknall Dispatch,’ 17th January 1918.
