MARRIED UNDER THREAT

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23499, 13 May 1938, Page 10

MARRIED UNDER THREAT

EGYPTIAN’S YOUNG WIFE Allegations of a young wife to the effect that, when 18 years old, she agreed to marry an Egyptian through fear of her life, formed the basis of a suit heard in the London Divorce Court by Mr Justice Henn Collins. He granted a decree nisi of nullity on the petition of Mrs Estella Henrietta Hussein, otherwise Blitz, of Victoria Mansions, West Kensington, The decree was in respect of her marriage to Mohamed Hussein, an Egyptian, which took place at a register office, in Ealing, West London, in October, 1933. Mrs Hussein’s case in support of her petition was that from August, 1933, when she first met Hussein, he constantly proposed marriage to her. When she refused, he threatened to take her life and then commit suicide unless she changed her mind. In the end she agreed “ through fear of her life.” They parted directly after the ceremony. She had never lived with him as his wife. Mrs Hussein gave evidence, end Dr Daniel Ed* ward O’Driscoll, of Fulham, was a witness on her behalf. In granting the petition with costs, the judge remarked: “The story of Mrs Hussein is an amazing one, but I accept it. I believe her when she says she believed in the respondent’s threats. “ There is a document which she was made to sign which shows he was avid of power over this woman of 18, and exercised it.” Costs were granted to Mrs Hussein. __