DOMESTIC FORTRESS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLII, Issue 12931, 29 July 1905, Page 2 (Supplement)

DOMESTIC FORTRESS.

WIFE KEPT A PRISONER FOR FIVE

YEARS.

An amazing story, Zolaesque in its details, of a woman who was, it is alleged, kept a close prisoner in her own house for five years, while another woman supplanted her plaoe as a wife, and even wore her wedding ring, wac told at the South (Shields Police Court.

The woman, who looked weak and emaciated', was a seaman's wife named Isabella Hoult, audi she summoned her husband, Charles Ed wan' Hoult, and a woman named Eliza Lewthwaite for a series of assaults.

The hiL'band did not put in an appearance, he being at sea, and the case against the woman o.dy was gone into.

Mr. Grunhut, who appeared to prosecute, said Mrs. Hoult was married in 1882, and her husband was a master mariner. Since then lie had gone down in the world, and had tried his hand at almost everything, from bookmaker to scene-shifter, and at the present he was a second mate. Five years ago Hoult brought the woman Lewthwaite to the house, and since that time they had lived, it was alleged, as man and wife. Mrs. Hoult had not been able to gain her liberty until recently, when she managed to escape from the house.

Some time ago the parties came from Sunderland to South Shields, and after walking the whole distance took two empty rooms. For years Mrs. Hoult had been continually ill-used and kept a prisoner in the house. Whenever Hoult and Lewthwaite '.vent out, even if only for a few minutes, Uie doors were locked and the windows secured. She was practically starved, and had been obliged to sleep on the bare boards, while Hoult and Lewthwaite slept on a mattress. THE Wire's STORY. Mrs. Hoult then gave evidence bearing out the opening statement. She said that during the tramp to South Shields they had threatened to put her in a pond. On one occasion Lewthwaite struck her on the head with a pot, and at another time threw hot water at her. The woman wore her wedding ring, posed as Hoult's wife, and actually took her false teeth away. The window was always fastened down, and on one occasion when she tried to escape Mrs. Lewthwaite gave her a " twanking." After she got away she hid herself in an empty house until dark, when a neighbour took her to the policestation. Cross-examined, Mrs. Hoult said she told! Inspector Ivinghorn that she had not 'been, ill-treated, but she made that statement because she feared she would be thrashed. She denied that because of her habits and because she had had yellow fever someone had to look after her. Mrs. Lcwtliwaitc even refused to allow her relations to come to the house. -, ' . ■ After evidence by neighbours, who stated that they had heard screams from the house, Dr. Philips said the woman was practically an imbecile. The prolonged ill-usage and starvation referred to in the evidence would reduce, her mind to that state. The woman Lewthwaite gave evidence denying the charge, and said that Mrs. Hoult had been treated 1 with every kindness. They were, in great distress, and she had even pawned things for the sake of Mrs. Hoult. The presiding magistrate raid it was an extraordinary case, but the greater part of the evidence to be applicable to other charges, such as desertion and proceedings in the Divorce Court. They had 'been led to assume from the evidence of neighbours that assaults had taken place, but only one witness had supported a- specific assault, and on this charge they fined Lewthwaite 10s -and. costs. Mr. Grunhut applied for a summons for persistent cruelty against Hoult, which was granted.