Denaby Women Disagree – Contradictory Evidence At An Inquest.

March 1911

Sheffield Daily Telegraph – Wednesday 15 March 1911

Denaby Women Disagree.

Contradictory Evidence At An Inquest.

The death of a Denaby infant through burning was responsible for much contradictory evidence at the inquest held at Denaby, yesterday. The jury brought in open verdict.

The deceased was the child of Benjamin Smith, miner, of 95, Blyth Street, and it died at the Fullerton Hospital on Saturday morning. The mother, Janet Smith, said that on Friday there was a fire in the kitchen, but the guard had been left round an empty grate in the living room because the bars ware still hot from a fire that had been allowed to go out, and the child was in that room. Witness went into a neighbour’s, Mrs. Trow’s, to inquire about some bread, and when she was returning, three minutes later, she heard a scream and saw her child in flames. She tried smother them with her skirt.

Susannah Platts, married woman, said that Mrs. Smith was in her house when the accident happened. “She gave me,” added witness, “a commotion because she wanted to borrow a shilling.” They heard a scream and rushing out witness saw the child flames and tore its clothing off.

Despite the variance of their evidence both Mrs. Smith and Mrs. Platts adhered to their respective stories, and the Coroner ordered both women out of the room.

Addressing the jury the Coroner said the women were not on good terms with each other, though which of them was telling the truth and which was lying it was impossible to say.