WIFE ASSAULTED

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21910, 20 September 1934, Page 16

WIFE ASSAULTED

TEGUMENT ON RELIGION " BEATING OUT THE DEVIL" HUSBAND ADMITS OFFENCE The story of a religious argument, in a man assaulting his wife, allegedly "to beat the devil out of her," was told in the Police Court yesterday, when Bernard Benson Byatt, labourer, aged 36, pleaded guilty to a charge of assaulting his wife, Gertrude Rosina Byatt, at Glen Eden, on Tuesday.

"It is alleged that Byatt assaulted his wife and tried to tie her up in order to convert her to his way of thinking," said Inspector Edwards. "He apparently believed she was possessed of a devil and thought that he would beat it out of her, saying he had accepted Christ and was concerned that sha should do the same." Inspector Edwards added that in his opinion accused should be remanded for medical observation.

Dr. W. G. Carew, of Avondale, said Mrs. Byatt was bruised extensively and had a black eye. Constable Maisey, of Avondale, said he was called to accused's home shortly after noon on Tuesday. He found accused being held down on the verandah by a man, with another man standing over him. "Byatt told me he could not get his wife to accept Christ in the way he had accepted him," the constable added. "He also said he objected to her smoking cigarettes. The whole street was in a turmoil, for many of the residents are hostile to Byatt, and for his own sake, if nothing else, I -arrested him." He added that Byatt was unemployed and the family was receiving charitable aid. Byatt denied telling the constable that he could not get his wife to accept Christ. He said he admitted doing wrong, but claimed that his' wife struck him with a heavy ruler. In reply to a question by the magistrate, Mr. W. R. Mcftean, accused said the incident had occurred as the result of one will being matched against another.

The Magistrate: Do you consider yourself 7 a religious man? Accused: I profess to be a Christian, but, of course, tempers sometimes get the better of us.

The magistrate said he could not accept accused's denial of the constable's statements, but he was at a. loss to know what to do with him. "If you could maize my home life any happier, I should be pleased," Byatt isaid. "You are an older man and could give me some advice." Hyatt said he Had been married for 14 years and had three children. He had had disagreements with his wife before. Hie magistrate expressed a desire to hear what Mrs. Byatt had to say, and accused was remanded in custody until Saturday morning.