From the Evening News, April 16, 1903: JAMES Fox (19), a dark complexioned labourer residing at 17, Forge-st., and Cecilia Smith, 20, Pump-st., are sweethearts.

A broken promise last week resulted in a quarrel, and the sequel was heard at the Town Hall this morning when Fox was brought up on a warrant charged with assaulting the girl.

She stepped into the witness box smiling, and was promptly rebuked by Ald. Wm. Nicholson.

Complainant stated that on Saturday night, she went to a party at a house in Reservoir-st., to which she had been invited. Defendant had not received an invitation, but about ten o'clock he came to the house and asked to see her.

When she got to the door, he took hold of her by the hair, and, pulling her down the steps, kicked her in the eye. Then he ran away.

Defendant said the girl promised to meet him at half-past nine, and after waiting for her for close upon an hour, he went in search of her and heard she had been turned out of a public house, along with others, through their disorderly conduct. He did strike her, but denied kicking her. - A fine of 5s (25p) and costs with the alternative of seven days hard labour was imposed.

From the Evening News, April 15, 1993

PROTESTERS fighting the controversial Birtenshaw Farm development have been hit by a £45,000 bill after being sued by their own legal advisors. The campaigners' former solicitors served a writ on the protesters in January claiming that the owned almost £50,000 in unpaid fees. Last week a judgment at the High Court in Manchester went against the campaigners, when they were ordered to pay more than £45,000 of the claim plus interests and costs. They have now lodged an appeal against the judgment.

From the Evening News, April 16, 1978

POLICE hunting for Joyce McKinney, the girl in the Mormon sex kidnap case, were today pursuing a series of bizarre leads. According to one report, the blonde ex-beauty queen may now have a new face -- heavy make-up, with shiny red lipstick, and a long red wig.

McKinney and her co-defendant Keith May, on the run, are due to stand trial at the Old Bailey in May accused of kidnapping Mormon missionary Kirk Anderson, and she is also said to have forced him to have sex with her.

From the Evening News, April 16, 1953

SIR,- There was a time when I used to enjoy taking my young daughter to Moss-st. baths on Sunday morning for mixed bathing. But now there seems to be a regular crowd of terrible boys and girls who seem to delight in screaming, shouting and swearing, knocking each other about to a point of indecency.

The place has become very uncomfortable and now it harbours hoards of the commonest types of girls and boys in the town who are openly carrying on in the must disgusting manner imaginable.

I think the time is long overdue for keeping out some of the common girls. Yours, Disheartened.