WIFE ASSAULTED

Southland Times, Issue 22218, 10 January 1934, Page 4

WIFE ASSAULTED

LABOURER PLEADS GUILTY. (Per United Press Association.) Christchurch, January 9. Before the Magistrate (Mr H. P. Lawry, S.M.) this morning, William Gray, aged 60, a labourer of Battersea street, was charged with assaulting his wife, Amelia Gray, so as to cause her bodily harm. He pleaded guilty and was committed for sentence.

Witnesses gave evidence that the accused was a temporary patient at a mental hospital and was home for the Christmas holidays at the time of the assault.

Mrs Gray said the accused had had liquor and she informed the mental hospital to that effect. When she returned after doing so he struck her on the head and knocked her to her knees. She saw an axe in his hand. After this si : crawled under a bench. When he went to strike her again, she put up her arm to guard herself. She was hit on the left forearm by the axe, on the head and on the right elbow, Her daughter brought assistance, and her husband then ran away. Detective McKenzie read a statement from the accused in which he made grave charges against the conduct of his wife and daughter. That, he said, was the reason for his action.