Sucks to be him

The confectionery industry blew a huge sigh of relief last week when a woman charged with assault and battery and assault and battery with a dangerous weapon (a Blow Pop) was cleared on both counts in Worcester District Court. On May 17, 30-year-old Jacqueline Friedhoff of Worcester had been arguing with her husband, Michael Friedhoff, at their Brantwood Road home. The argument escalated, and the wife whipped the gum-filled lolly in the husband’s direction, giving him what police described as “a laceration” just above his right eye. (A police report did not specify the flavor of the lollipop.) Later in the fight, she lunged at his neck, ripping off a gold chain that hung there. The wife was released days later on $500 bail, and the charges against her were dropped last Tuesday at the husband’s request.

Other odd assaults

And not to be outdone, Heath Mulhearn of Worcester faced charges last week of assault and battery with a cell phone. In another case, Sheila Brown used a screwdriver; and the garden-named Linda Hosegood posted bail while facing pruning-shear-aided assault charges. All cases are continued.

Robbing him blind

A man allegedly using an old trick to rip off a blind man got burned a few weeks ago. John Newbold of Medway had been helping a Framingham resident by performing repairs on his home and helping with his grocery shopping, police told The MetroWest Daily News. But police say Newbold stole blank checks from the man’s home, forged his signature, and cashed several of them between June 28, 2007 and March 31, 2008, to the tune of more than $10,000.

Newbold’s luck ran out in June when he tried to withdraw an additional $1,200 with a single check, raising the suspicion of the bank. Police arrested him on June 16 at the Framingham station, and he was charged with larceny over $250 and forgery. He awaits an arraignment date at Framingham District Court. o

All information taken from public records, published accounts and court proceedings.