A PAINFUL CASE.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 1, Issue 7, 24 April 1912, Page 3

A PAINFUL CASE.

The Auckland papers report that a most unusual case came before Mr C. C. Kettle at the S.U. Court on Friday. A man named John Case; was charged with having assaulted bis wife on the Jstb inst. Casey pleaded "guilty" The wife who had her eyes badly blacked deposed that she was 21 years of age. She was married three week* ago. She came to Auckland from Fokekobe to g-t married. She had known her husband for about 12 months. Be used to drive a wagon at the Mauku. Since hir marriage they had keen living in rooms, in Ponaonby. On tbe 15tb of April her husband made certain remarks about her child, but be knew all about it before they were married. On the 15th her busband was drunk, and he punched her in the face. Sbe had not dune anything to arouse bis anger. John Casey said he wab very sorry to have struck bis wife. It was the first time be had laid bands on her. He bad offered her £8 to go back home before he married her, but she declined to do ao. Be did not want to marry tbe girl, but did so at her mother's request, and because tbe girl said she would do for herself if he did not marry her. On the 15th in it. they went to North Shore, and he got drunk. Be could hardy say wbat happened when be got home. The black eyes were ihe result of a blow he bad struck her. He was not in the habit of getting diunk. Mr Kettle said it was a most distressing and extraordinary case. The defendant would be convicted of a brutal assault upon this unfortunate woman, wbo was almost a child, who bad apparenty been cast off by those who should have taken charge of her. "You married her," added Mr Kettle, "and you got drunk and violently assaulted her. It is difficult to find words to express une's di9gust at such cocduct You must come up to be dealt with next Monday morning." His Worship also granted rummary separation, and made a maintenance order of £1 5s per week. Casey rceived two mon ne' impriaoument witb hard labour.