BREACH OF PROMISE.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 53, Issue 153, 10 April 1933, Page 8

BREACH OF PROMISE.

CONSTABLE'S LOVE LETTERS. GIRL AWARDED DAMAGES. Love letters written by a young London Metropolitan constable to a girl worker in a chocolate factory were read at Bristol Sheriff's Court when the man was ordered to pay damages for breach of promise. The action was brought by Miss Alice Maude Harding, «oi' Church Road, Staines, Middlesex, against Edward George Bateman, of Gresham Road, Staines, Middlesex, it being stated that the couple had been engaged for two and a half years, and had corresponded regularly. After Bateman left Bristol and joined the London police force, affairs proceeded as far as fixing the wedding, arranging for the banns and buying of the furniture and ordering the wedding cake. In letters quoted Bateman addressed Miss Harding as "My wonderful one," and wrote, "The few hours I spent w r ith you were marvellous and you were marvellous, wonderful." Later he wrote letters which contained the passages :■ "Beloved, I have made up my mind to marry you soon if you will have me. You have got me stone cold. I am madly in love with you." When his attitude changed he wrote "Please do not call me 'love' or 'dear' any more, Molly. I am a most unwilling bridegroom and shall not be happy but I hope you will." %

Later he stated he realised he did not love her, adding: "I realise if we married it would be a tragedy. If I were a millionaire I would give you wealth in an attempt to repay." He i assured Miss Harding of his kind feelings for her, but declared: "I can never love you. It would be a crime to marry you. Life would be a misery for both of us." Damages were fixed at £lOl with costs and judgment was entered accordingly.