March 4, 1905

EDWIN Mills, fish hook maker, Oakly Road, was charged with attempting to commit suicide at Redditch, on February 11th.

Thomas Cund, 53, Oakly Road, said defendant was his son-in-law and lived with him.

On the night in question defendant had words with his wife and went out. He returned again just after 11.

Witness noticed him go to a cupboard, get something out and sit down in a rocking chair.

Witness heard something drop on the floor, which he saw was a razor case, and then he saw defendant "doing something" to his throat.

Blood was streaming from defendant's throat and witness's daughter sent for defendant's brother, who fetched the doctor.

He had a wound on the left side of his throat, about four inches long, but he had not wounded any of the important structures.

Defendant had nothing to say.

His father-in-law explained, however, that defendant, who had a wife and three children, had been short of work for 16 weeks, and he was also subject to nasty fits.

The case was adjourned for two months in order to see how defendant went on.