A DOMESTIC QUARREL.

Auckland Star, Volume LVI, Issue 232, 1 October 1925, Page 10

A DOMESTIC QUARREL.

WIFE WITH A POKER.

ASSAULTED BY HER HUSBAND

TWO WEEKS' EMPRISE MEM

v i' es, George. I did take a poker to you. 1 told you 1 would even swing for you because I'm sick of ail tins.

This admission was made by Jean Bradshaw from the witness box at the Police Court this morning during the hearing of a case, when George Bra-d----shaw (481. was placed in the dock charged with having assaulted his wiie in Dean Street. Grey .Lynn, last night.

Senior Sergeant Edwards prosecuted, while Mr. Allan Moody appeared in support of Mrs. Eradshaw. who applied for a maintenance, separation and guardianship order.

Mr. Singer in the first instance appeared for accused and entered a plea. of guilty, but accused when in the dock changed his plea to one of not guilty. Mr. Singer then retired from the case.

Accused's wife, who appeared to be in a weak and agitated condition, was given a chair while she -tendered her evidence. She stated that her husband came home about il o'clock yesterday afternoon. but left ehortiy afterwards. He returned about 7 p.m. under the influence of liquor and "tried to pick an argument." "We l»oth argued for a while and then my husband took his things out of the house and went up the street." added witness. "I followed him and told that he was not going away until .ac police arrived. 1 was then knocked down in the street and I did not remember any-thinsr else after that."

Mr. Moody then stated that the parties had been married for three years. There were no children of the union, but accused's two children, himself and his wife resided with Mrs. Bradshaw's father. Accused had been guilty of persistant cruelty, particularly so during the last six months. He had l>een convicted and sentenced to seven days' imprisonment only in March last for assaulting his wife. Accused then asked his wife a few questions. Did you use a poker on mc? —No, but I picked it up and I told you I would even swing for you because I'm sick ol all this. Yes. and who did you hit? —1 know J hit the poor old dad. Didn't you punch my little boy once not long ago? —Yes. I did. And didn't you tell mc that I and my two kids could set to out of it? —No.

And twelve months ago. you stabbed mc with a fork? —No, I did not.

I've been a chopping block aDd a punching bag ior you haven't 1? —No. you have not.

Mr. Moody: The poor woman does not look like a woman who could do that, sir.

Frank Fade said that he was passing alons Dean Street last night when he saw accused and his wife. Accused punched her and knocked her down. While she was on the ground he kicked her.

Constable Riddle, who wa* called to accused's house, stated that on arrival there he found Mrs. Bradshaw lying on the bed in a state o fcollapse. Bradshaw came in and tried to pick another quarrel. He also said that he would give witness a "'go.'' When witness arrested accused the latter resisted violently, and on one occasion broke away.

Bradshaw then made a statement. He told the magistrate that as soon as he got home yesterday his wife "took to him." "I called out to the old dad, and he came and took up a strange attitude." continued accused. "He and my wife got mc down on the floor, and the old dad tried to put his knee on my throat. I then decided that I would fret out of the house for good, as I had quite enough of it all. but my wife followed mc up the street. 1 struggled with her, but did not assault her/

Mr. Moody said that accused's wife was not anxious that he should be sent to prison. If she was awarded some maintenance she would be satisfied. She was in ill-health at pre-ent. and had to undergo an operation shortly.

Mr. Poynton: He cannot get off lightly for this. This is the second time he has been before the Court for assaulting his wife. The last time he got seven days. This time he will be sentenced to )4 days. An order for separation will be granted: also maintenance at the rate of 30/ per week.