WIFE’S EVIDENCE

Evening Star, Issue 20585, 10 September 1930, Page 12

WIFE’S EVIDENCE

WITNESS AGAINST HUSBAND “ IT WAS SO TERRIBLE.” A wife gave evidence for the prosecution in a murder charge against her husband at Barnet (Herts) Police Court. The husband was accused of murdering his seven-months-old baby. The wife said her husband had been devoted to her until this last baby. That was why it seemed so terrible that she had got to go against him. The defending solicitor asked; “ Who told you that you had got to give evidence? In all your experience have you heard of a woman giving evidence against her husband on a capital charge? Do you know to-day that you occupy an almost unique position?” The Wife: I am sure what he did was not a wilful act. The accused man was Sidney Joseph Strand, aged thirty-five, grocer, of Baron’s Gate, East Barnet. Mrs Mabel Gertrude Strand, the wife, said sho found the baby gasping. Sho called a neighbour, and a doctor was sent foi.

“ 1 asked my husband,” said Mrs Strand, “ what ho had done, and ho said he had taken the baby by the shoulders and must have shaken it too much. [ did not question him any further, because L was anxious to save the baby’s life.” Mr Vincent I'lvans (for the Public Prosecutor) : Has vour husband ever threatened the child in any way in front of you? Mrs Strand: Yes. Ho has threatened to kill mo and tho baby. Mrs Strand said that twice her husband had flicked a lighted candle over tho child.

Replying to Mr Alfred W. Fryzor (for Strand), Mrs Strand said that her husband hud always been a loving father to tho other children.

Sir Bernard Spii.sbury, tho Homo Office pathologist, said that the child had died from coma caused by haemorrhage round the brain. _ ’l’bis, in his opinion, was caused by violence. Strand was remanded.