Penge Penal Institute, 18 November, 11–30 am
An exemplary caning for a Crystal Palace couple found guilty of showing persistent disrespect to their neighbours. Mr and Mrs Colin Lee, of 19 The Rise, had ignored repeated requests to turn off their gramophone player after eleven o’clock in the evening and, in the judgement of the magistrates, needed to receive a short, sharp shock to encourage them to mend their ways. ‘You have behaved like ill-mannered schoolchildren,’ the presiding magistrate told the couple, ‘and it is as schoolchildren that you will be treated.’ The couple, in their late thirties, were told to put on school uniforms and submit themselves, in turn, to a severe caning from SCO Rodwell. Both received 15 strokes of the cane, the court having judged them equally guilty of the offences with which they were charged.
The canings were administered over underwear. Mrs Lee bore her caning with fortitude, but Mr Lee shifted position and twice swore audibly. The SCO, acting within her discretionary rights, awarded him three additional strokes for each expletive used.
Signed: SCO RODWELL