Mexborough & Swinton Times – Saturday 17 January 1942
Wife Wounded With Razor
Domestic Trouble at Denaby
A 61-year-old Denaby Main miner, Michael Dooney, of 91, Blythe Street, was at Doncaster on Saturday sent to prison for six months on a charge of unlawfully wounding his wife, Catherine Dooney.
Mr. G. Billlngton, prosecuting, said Mrs. Dooney’s story that morning was slightly different from the one should told the police. On January 2nd the husband came home from work and the wife asked him for some money. They quarrelled and there were words about money.
Later. Dooney went out and at 9.10 p.m. came home very bad tempered and under the Influence of drink. He said “I’ll murder you.” He had in his hand a safety razor blade. His wife kicked him, and he fell on her. In the fall Mrs. Dooney received superficial cuts. At this stage the magistrates decided to drop a charge of attempted murder on which Dooney had been remanded, and proceed on a charge of unlawfully wounding.
Catherine Dooney said on January 2nd when her husband came home she asked for some money and he gave her the wages. He later went out and came back about 9.10 p.m. He was very angry with her and wanted to know why she had not been out with him. He had had some drink and was excited. He thought she had spent the money and she thought he had spent it. All the time it was in a cupboard where the boy had put it. He said she wanted murdering, but he had said that many times. She asked the magistrates not to take any notice of that. He had blade in his hand and was cutting an ingrowing finger hail. She kicked him and he fell, pressing her down with him. He did not know he had cut her. It was accidental, but when she saw the blood she was very frightened and ran to the police.
Dr. D. T. Clark said he examined Mrs. Dooney on January 2nd. She was suffering from two incised wounds on the left side of the neck, 3 ½ inches long and skin deep There were multiple incised cuts on the right side, also skin deep. He formed the opinion that they had been caused by a sharp edged instrument.
P.c. Richmond said he was on duty on January 2nd about 10.20 p.m. Mrs. Dooney came into the police station and was bleeding badly. He went back with her and found Dooney in bed. He told him the nature of his inquiries, and accused replied “I am saying nowt.” He appeared to have had a considerable amount of drink. He took him to the station and charged him with unlawfully wounding his wife. Dooney said, “Nay, don’t say that. I’m not wearing that.”
Dooney pleaded not guilty and said be cut his wife accidentally.
Supt. Walker said Dooney had been summoned before for unlawfully wounding his wife and was presumably still on probation.
Mr. Mark Nokee (chairman) said the Bench could not help Dooney. Neither he nor anyone else could use a razor on his wife. He would go to prison for six months.