Constance Briscoe
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Constance Briscoe (born 18 May 1957) is one of Britain's first black female judges. She is a barrister who also serves as a part-time judge or recorder.
[edit] Controversial Autobiography
Constance Briscoe's autobiography, Ugly, makes unproven allegations that have yet to be tested in the courts, of extreme physical and emotional abuse at the hands of her mother.
Born to two Jamaicans who settled in Britain in the 1950s,[citation needed] Constance was one of six children, and from a young age was singled out for abuse by her mother and stepfather.[citation needed]
In her book that is currently the subject of a legal dispute, Ms Briscoe claims that, her mother used to beat her with a stick when she wet the bed, and verbally abuse her, using taunts of "black bitch, scarface, and Miss Pissabed".[citation needed] Allegedly, she would spit at her and starve her, punch her nipples and pull her breasts. When Ms Briscoe was examined by a doctor, he is alleged to have concluded that the lumps in her breasts were the result of cancer and not her mother's doings. Although the medical records are not produced in the book to substantiate the doctor's alleged opinion.
In her book Ms Briscoe also claims that she worked hard at school,[citation needed] but there was "no question" her mother said,[citation needed] of her going to grammar school. Ms Briscoe claims to have asked social workers to take her into care, but was refused, assuming Ms Briscoe and her mother had merely had an argument; a not uncommon event between parents and their children. Ms Briscoe then claims that on returning home she drank bleach in an apparent suicide attempt. The book claims that she vomited most of it up.[citation needed] Many such apparent suicide attempts are no more than an attempt to attract attention, or even (with undisciplined children) a fit of pique. There seems no evidence in support of the book's claim, nor any account of the medical treatment usually required after such an event. Ms Briscoe makes the further claim that on one occasion she was assaulted by her mother and Ms Briscoe's school headmaster subsequently spoke with the mother.[citation needed] Briscoe alleges that she refused to return home with the mother,[citation needed] and a schoolteacher, a Ms K, offered her accommodation at her home.[citation needed] Briscoe claims to have flourished at Miss K's.[citation needed] Unfortunately, Miss K was badly hurt in a car crash[citation needed] and Briscoe had to return to live at her mother's home.[citation needed]
Ms Briscoe claims that as she returned home, her mother decided to move out, taking some of the other children with her.[citation needed] Briscoe claims to have been thrilled at that turn of events, although she alleges that she had to pay her mother £15 per month,[citation needed] while her siblings did not pay anything.[citation needed] So, at 14 years of age she claims to have taken on two jobs[citation needed] and managed to pass ten O-levels.[citation needed]
Ms Briscoe also claims that after passing A-levels, she won a place to read Law at Newcastle University, and makes the further claim that when asked to sign a local authority grant application her mother refused; tearing it up and allegedly stating that "Only clever people go to university."[citation needed] Briscoe also claims to have worked for one more year to show that she was self sufficient,[citation needed] and at 19 went up to university.[citation needed]She graduated with a 2:2 degree.
[edit] Legal Dispute with Family
Ms Briscoe's autobiographical account of her upbringing has been vigorously challenged by other members of her family. According to the UK newspapers The Daily Mail and The Mail on Sunday, her sisters Patsy and Christine, and her brother Martin, together with half-sister Norma, have disputed Briscoe's account. [1], [2] According to The Sunday Times [3], another sister, Cynthia Eastman, also disputes Briscoe's account.
Both newspaper accounts report that Briscoe's mother is represented by solicitor Ade Soyege, of Samuel Ross Solicitors, and that on Friday 15 September 2006, lawyers acting for Carmen Briscoe issued proceedings in the High Court in London. The writ alleges "libel and aggravated damages" against Briscoe, and her publishers Hodder & Stoughton.
Ms Constance Briscoe is represented by solicitor Sarah Webb.[citation needed]
[edit] Footnotes
- ^ The Mail on Sunday, September 17 2006, Page 34
- ^ http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/news/news.html?in_article_id=405472&in_page_id=1770
- ^ The Sunday Times, September 17 2006, Page 7
[edit] References
- Briscoe, Constance. Ugly. London : Hodder & Stoughton, 2006. 310 p.; 24 cm. ISBN 0-340-89597-7 (cased). ISBN 0-340-89598-5 (trade pbk.). Dewey class. no. 362.76092
