Blyth in 1905 saw a case of child neglect due to drink,
charged with neglecting their child in a manner so as to cause it grievous
bodily harm Edward and Emily Stephenson appeared in court. The N.S.P.C.C.
inspector told the court that the condition of the Stephenson's house was
filthy. Cupboard doors had been used for firewood and the only furniture left
was a table a chair and some sacking. Having worked only one day in the last
three months for which Edward had earned three shillings, which he spent on
drink. His job paid twenty five shillings a week but because Edward would not
get out of
bed before lunch time he was sacked.
Being a lazy, idol man he left it up to his wife Emily to earn the money, which
she did by being a prostitute. Every night Emily would leave home to return
several hours later with a customer. The money Emily earned would be spent on
drink which meant most of the time both Edward and Emily would be drunk. Their
child was more often than not
neglected for days at a time and would be wearing the same smelly dirty clothes
for long periods of time. Edward had often been heard to say he would throw the
screaming child to the back of the fire and there was evidence of two serious
burns on the infant, along with vermin bites. They were both sentenced to three
months each with hard labour.
