£30,000 SWEEP WINNER

Greymouth Evening Star, 20 September 1932, Page 8

£30,000 SWEEP WINNER

SUED FOR MAINTENANCE

LONDON, August 11. A man who, it was stated, won £30,000 in the Irish Sweepstake on the Grand National this year, figured in a case heard yesterday at Chester Castle Petty Sessions. He was George Herbert Cuffin, of Meadow Farm, Huntingdon, Chester, and his wife, Mary Ellen Cuffin, brought a summons alleging that he neglected to maintain her and three children. Mr. W. F. Youde, for Mrs Cuffin, said that when they were married in 1927 she was a widow with eight children. Her husband’s luck in the sweepstake had obviousJy affected his outlook on life. Since' that time he had been drinking heavily and had frequently ill-t eated his wife, who complained that he had been associating with another woman. Mr. Youde said that Cuffin now seemed to have extraordinary views regarding women, and told his wife that he could “get plenty of women at fourpence a dozen.” He had made no contributions to maintain his wife and family since June 22 last.

“MORE COMFORT WITHOUT IT.” Mrs Cuffin, whose address was given x as Ince, in evidence said: “I know this: there was more comfort without the money than with it. I wish he had never won it.” Mr. J. A. Behn (defending): Did you tell your husband, “I am not going to work. I am going to be a lady”?—No. What have you done with the £2OO he gave you?—l have spent it on clothes that he has damaged. I suggest that he allowed you £lO a week? —No, sir. It was £5. Mrs Cuffin said that her husband gave one of his sons £lO,OOO and a daughter £l,OOO. Mr. Behn: You have not told the Bench that he gave one of your daughters a wedding present of £450. . Jessie Randles, one of Mrs Cuffiin’s daughters, was called to the witnessbox, but she collapsed, and the magistrates decided to dispense with her evidence. Cuffin, in evidence, said that at his marriage he was a widower with three grown-up children. They were living quite happily until the money came. He then allowed his wife £lO a week and gave her £2OO to invest. Mr. Behn: Why did you leave home? —Because she had a house full of daughters and they would not work. They wanted you to keep them?— Yes.

Cuflln said that he offered them £1 a week each to pick gooseberries, but they would not it. The whole of the trouble was caused by the .interference of Mrs Cuffin’s grown-up daughters. Cuffin denied allegations that he threatened to shoot or hurt his ivife and that he had said he could get women “at fourpence a dozen.” He was quite prepared to have his wife and the three younger children at home. The Bench made an order of £2 a week in respect of the wife, and 10/each in respect of the three children.