KISS SAVED HIM

Evening Star, Issue 22881, 12 February 1938, Page 1

KISS SAVED HIM

ON WAY TO PRISON VERY HUMAN MAGISTRATE 'A kiss from his wife saved a man in Hull going to prison. William Arthur Altoft, a dock worker, was being taken from Hull Police Court to the cells, having been sentenced to 14 days’ imprisonment for assaulting an offices: of the Unemployment Assistance Board, when his wife went up to him and kissed him. The magistrate, Mr J. It. Macdonald, -saw the incident, and Mrs Altoft was called into the witness box. “What sort of a chap is he?”- asked Mr Macdonald. “ One of the best,”- replied the wife. “ You have_ kept him out of prison,” said the Magistrate. “I saw; you kiss him. I can’t stand that, I tell you frankly.” The sentence was cancelled, and a fine of £1 imposed. Mrs Altoft said that she would pay this at the rate of ,2s a week. The prosecution had stated during the hearing that the assault was committed when Altoft’s application for assistance was refused. Altoft said that the officer did not seem to be paying any attention to what he was saying, and. that put him in a bad temper. He was not bothering about himself, blit his wife and child at home. They had had nothing for three days. Husband and wife left the court together.