TO modern minds, the notion that trying to kill yourself might be a criminal offence may well seen rather strange. But it was an offence a century ago, as the pages of the Malvern Gazette indicate.
The town magistrates had to deal with the case of labourer Richard Young, who it was alleged, tried to drown himself on June 30.
The court heard that Young was found that evening with his head in a full bath of water.
When he was pulled out, he went outside and stuck his head in a water butt. Again he was saved.
Young told the court that he had been "silly", blaming the fact that his wife gave him no peace.
The court was lenient, and once Young promised not to do it again, he was set free.
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