A MIXED FAMILY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume L, Issue 15269, 5 April 1913, Page 2 (Supplement)

A MIXED FAMILY.

CURIOUS DIVORCE CONSPIRACY. " A TISSUE OF FALSEHOODS.'*Sojik astonishing disclosures Were mado M Bow Street ■recently when four prisoners were charged with conspiring unlawfully to obtain a divorco for one of their number from another. • Mr. Graham Campbell, for the Fabliq Prosecutor, said it was alleged that the defendants had conspired to got a divorce from Dean for Mrs. Dean by putting a false ease before tho Divorce Court and by suppressing material facts, including tho misconduct of Sydney Dean and Kate Hardy, and the fact -tha£ Dean had connived at his wife's misconduct with the corespondent, DoaHer. Dean, said counsel, , was.a pawnbroker!s assistant, employed by his wife's father. They were married at Wandsworth in 1803, and three children were born beforo 1908. In March, 1911, Mrs. Dean gave birth to another little girl. In January, 1912, Dean filed a petition for divorce, the co-roapondont being named asßiohard Jones> who was said to bo living with her in Teniple-Btrcet> Brighten- Dean swore an affidavit that the facts were true to the best of his belief, but tho evidence would show that Richard Jones and David Doallor were tho samo person. Tho evidence given at the divorce proceedings wns described by Mr. Campbell as a " tissue, of falsehoods." A letter had beon produced in which Mrs. Dean gave her husband an address in Croydon at which she said she hod stayed with "a gentleman,!' but evidence would .show that this was not true. Kate Hardy had given evidence that Mrs. Dean and "Jones.", a former lodger of tho Deans, had lived together. Mr. Justice Dgane, having a clear case beforo him, pronounced a decree nisi with costs- and the custody of the children. In October the King's Proctor intervened. Musician's Motor Oar.

In 1907, continued counsel, the Deans wore living at \ Granville Road, Wandsworth, ana Dealler, who conducted tho orehestra at a local music hall came to lod/?e with them. Ho became friendly with Mrs. Dean, and tbev often used to go out together in Deauar's motor-car. About December, ,1908, thcy v all moved to East Dulwich Road, the house being taken by Dealler, who introduced Mrs. Dean as his wife.* In ISO 9 thoy took a house in Upton Road, Dulwich- The landlord, Mr. Lightfoot. had known Kate Hardy only as the wife of Svdney Dean, Denller as "David Deanj" bis brotbtsr, and Edith Dean as Mrs. David Dean, AH four appeared to bo living on good terms. A neighbour would say that tho children referred to Mr; Dean," or Dealler* as "papa." Mrs. Dean as "nitnma," Sydney Charles Dean, their own father, as " tJnele Charley," and ;Mi«r Hardy ass"Aunt Kitty." Other evidence would go ta sliow that so far from not knowing where his wife was, Dean knew quite well Avhero she was. On a Sunday in Novem* her, 1911; Dean and Kate Hardy went to Brighton to spend the day with Mrs. Dean and Dealler, and the-v all went out \-ia the motor-car. together. tJpoit being arrested Hardy said,. " I know wo have done ■ wrong, Dealler es id that if we used his [ proper name, he would fight the matter,' I but he has goue in the name of Jones | before; Elean and I '-wanted to''obtain --K I divorce so-that we could get married and j live a proper. life. We cate for each i other very mucb." Dean said, "I know j all about it, I hayo bwn Jed into a (trap- If I had got' a divorce I could j.hsve been married and. lived properlys" i Wlien be was arrested on February 6. at ! Shcermg, Dealler said, " I caonot seo how i I am to blame. The thing was started i before I knew anything about it. I only p.wfuh to live a»s pure a life as possible, and want be? to do the eame." Several witnesses bore out counts 1 opening statement. Mr. lightfoot said he had sflen Dealler conducting at ...the Peekham Hippodrome, and knew him professioually as "J. Goldamith/' The accused were remanded.