A BRUTE.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 21 November 1924, Page 5

A BRUTE.

HUSBAND’S FIENDISH ACT

WOMAN OVER A CLIFF

CULPRIT TO-BE SENTENCED

<Br TELEGRAPH —PRESS ASSOCIATION. CHRISTCHURCH, Nov. 20. John Edward Jeffreys, aged 31, a slimgle cartage contractor, of Southbrook, was found guilty in the Supreme Court to-day of the attempted murder of his wife by pushing her over a cliff on July 27 and causing her to fall 88 feet. He was remanded for sentence till to-morrow. 1

On the day in question accused, his brother, and two Maoris, accompanied by Mrs Jeffreys and two children, went pig shooting at Glentui, in the Ashley Gorge. The. woman and children stayed in the car till the party returned in the afternoon for refreshments. Subsequently the others went down the; gully, and accused, his wife and a boy walked along the top of a cliff. Accused, it was said, disengaged the bay’s hand from' his mother’s, and pushed her over the cliff.

The Crown said that Jeffreys was ten years younger than his wife, and there had been domestic unhappiness, Jeffreys having his meals apart. • After being picked up iff the gorge, the woman said: “Jack, you did this;’’ and Jeffreys answered : * “My God, if you say that Fib get'six months.’’ Her story was a- plain indication that prisoner was a desperate, cowardly, and wicked man.

Detective Pickerdike gave evidence that in a statement Jeffreys said: — “This trouble has been brought about by domestic trouble, and through niy marrying a woman older than myself.” He then wrote out a statement in which he admitted giving his wffe a push which sent her over the; cliff. Mrs Jeffreys gave evidence that- after the Maoris in the na'rty had goitie av ay her husband and she went towards ti e cliff. There he took the little boy’s hand out of hers and jiis own hand went out- and pushed Jier over. Her husband said something when he pushed her over, _ but she did not know what. For six years her / husband had not had many meals at home.

Henry Teuki, labourer, said Mrs Jeffreys remarked to him that she did not know how the accident, happened. Jeffreys said that the bank .had given away.

No. evidence was called for the defence.