:36:00
on the 17th day of November, 1950
:36:02
at 37 Flixton Street, North 1
:36:04
did unlawfully and feloniously
:36:07
use an instrument on Pamela Mary Barnes,
:36:10
contrary to section 58 of the Offenses
Against the Person Act, 1861.
:36:13
Sit down, Mrs. Drake.
:36:17
lnspector.
:36:19
Detective lnspector Earnest Webster,
:36:21
G-division, metropolitan police.
:36:23
l swear by almighty God
:36:24
that the evidence I shall give
shall be the truth,
:36:26
the whole truth, and nothing but the truth.
:36:31
As a result of a telephone call
:36:33
from Ward Sister Coombes,
:36:35
Detective Sergeant Vickers,
W.P.C. Best and myself
:36:37
went to the North London General Hospital--
:36:43
"l know why you are here.
:36:46
l help young girls who are in trouble.
:36:48
l help them to start their bleeding."
:36:49
l said, "You mean you perform abortions?"
:36:52
She said, "That's not what I call it.
l just help them."
:36:54
She admitted performing an illegal
operation on Pamela Barnes
:36:58
and on hearing of the girl's critical
condition, became distressed.
:37:01
l arrested and cautioned her
:37:03
and at my request she produced
the equipment used in the operation,
:37:06
which included a Higginson's
syringe and a cheese grater.
:37:09
Mrs. Drake accompanied us
to the police station,
:37:12
where she made a voluntary
statement under caution.
:37:14
Mrs. Drake was cooperative throughout
:37:17
and is not previously known to the police.
:37:20
We will not be opposing bail for this defendant.
:37:22
Mr. Lewis.
:37:24
Thank you, sir.
:37:25
My application for bail
:37:27
ls based on the grounds...
:37:29
that Mrs. Drake is gainfully employed
:37:31
as a domestic in several households.
:37:35
Um, she has a permanent residence
:37:36
and is married with two children,
:37:38
in addition to which,
there is an aged mother,
:37:40
all of whom rely upon her for domestic duties.
:37:43
l understand that she has cooperated fully
:37:45
throughout the police investigations
:37:47
and-- and has not received,
:37:49
nor sought to receive any remuneration
:37:52
for performing this operation.
:37:54
She has no previous convictions.
:37:57
Um, however, she is unable
to provide a surety.