Hartlepool in 1874 saw the short trial of Mrs Ann Fagan. Giving evidence Police constable Pudney said On Saturday night at half past ten o'clock, the defendant was drunk in Back Church Street. I told her to go away and she would not, but kept cursing and swearing. Sergeant Forster also said the woman was drunk, he had to help her along. In her defence Ann Fagan said I was standing at my own back door. I was not drunk, but confused at being taken away without cause. I had had one glass of ale for dinner and only that during the day.
When my husband came in, he made a disturbance on the stairs, and I thought it best to keep out of the way, so I went to the back door. Ann's neighbour also testified that she had advised Ann to keep out of the house, until the husbands passion went off. When the policeman dragged her away she was not under the influence of drink. Sergeant White had been in the station when Ann had been brought in and said she could not get into the cell without staggering along the wall. She was drunk. Ann Fagan was fined 5/- and ordered to pay costs of 6/4d.
