HIS WIFE’S LIBERTY

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21828, 15 December 1932, Page 10

HIS WIFE’S LIBERTY

HUSBAND’S DRAMATIC PLEA TOUCHING EPISODE IN COURT (Special to Daily Times.) AUCKLAND, December 14. A dramatic appeal for his wife's liberty was made by a man in the Police Court this morning when Catherine Nesbitt, aged 34, faced Mr W. R. M'Kean, S.M., on three counts. The woman was charged with drunkenness, obscene language, and with being an incorrigible rogue. She pleaded guilty. Major Gordon, of the Salvation Army, said she did not think much could be done with the woman. “Your Worship,” cried a man from the back of the court in an Irish brogue, “ I want to say something about her. She’s my wife.” He was allowed to give evidence, and made an impressive appeal to the magistrate to allow his wife her freedom.

“I’m working in a relici camp up at Mercer,” said the husband. “ She is a good girl and she’s my wife, but these people persist in worrying her. She enu come up to the camp with me, away from everywhere. I earn only 37s Gd a week. That’s not much, but I can get a place at Pokeno. Now be fad- to her, sir. I’m a soldier.”

Detective-sergeant Kelly attempted to talk, but was shouted down by the man in tlie box. “ She’s a good girl. As a kid of 19 she was sentenced to four years by Sir Robert Stout, and she had to associate with a lot of criminal women much older than herself. I knew all about her criminal history when I married her, but she is a good kid. Mr M'Keau: Do you think she will go with you? Nesbitt: Yes, yes. Now, let me tell you. I was decorated by three Governments —the British, French and Belgian. His Majesty the King was pleased to pin the D.C.M. on my chest. It’s only those rotten women—if you’ll excuse the expression, sir. Mr Kelly: She lias a pretty good list.

Nesbitt: Now, Mr Kelly, you’re a sportsman. I’m an Irishman and so are you. I belonged to the old Irish Constabulary long before some of these young policemen were born. You’re not going to send her to prison for Christmas, surely, Mr M‘Kcan, sir. The accused told the magistrate that she would go with her husband. “ This language she used was very bad,” said Mr MTCean. Nesbitt: Oh, we use that in the army often. I’ve often used frightful language myself. She had had a few drinks. On the understanding that she would go away with her husband the accused was ordered to come up for sentence any time within the next 12 months, and was prohibited for 12 months. Nesbitt (from the back of the court); Thank you, sir.