“BODY AND SOUL” PLEDGE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23796, 1 May 1939, Page 5

“ BODY AND SOUL” PLEDGE

"MY HOLY OATH” MARRIED MAN SENTENCED A document purporting to bind a girl of 15 “ body and soul ” to a married man of 26 was read at the Old Bailey, when Alfred Gradidge, motor driver, pleaded not guilty to taking the girl out of the possession and against the will of her lawful guardian, and guilty to committing an offence. His plea was accepted. The abduction charge was not proceeded with. He was sentenced to 15 months’ imprisonment. Mr W. B. Manley, prosecuting, said that the girl, who lived with her parents at Fiast Grinstead, ran awav with Gradidge. When he was arrested the following document was found in his writing bearing Iris signature and that of the girl; I swear and saith by Almighty God and hereby take my oath to and by the Holy Bible that after giving myself body and soul to one Alfred Gradidge upon my aforesaid oath I will never be parted or leave him until death do us part. “Also that as soon as 1 reach the lawful marrying age. namely. 16 years I will marry the aforesaid Alfred Gradidge at the first time ot asking. Also I hereby state I will never make love to or keep company with or marry any other living soul or man so long as I shall live. “If ever I break this Holy Oath, I shall be haunted by ihe aforp*piri Alfred Gradidge every minute so long as I shall live. So i hereuy pi a v m Almighty God to help me to carry out and respect this my Holy Optn of Honour.” 37 PAGES OF LOVE LETTERS Mr Manley said that in the possession of the nolice was a bundle of 3/ pages of love letters written by Gradidge to the girl. “It is only fair to him to say that it is quite plain he was absolutely infatuated with the girl,” added Mr Manley. ‘ But no more nauseating mixture of hypocrisy, piety, and sanctimonious appeals for the aid of Providence can ever have come before this court.” In these letters, said the counsel, Gradidge called the girl “My little angel,” and professed his love “ until death us do part,” ' , , Inspector E, Fry, of East Grinstead. said that Gradidge was living apart from his wife. His father was dead, and his mother was in hospital at East Grinstead dying from cancer. He had been discharged from Brighton Special Constabulary for discreditable conduct, having worn his uniform on unauthorised occasions.