ALLEGATIONS OF BIGAMY

Taranaki Daily News, 15 November 1929, Page 9

ALLEGATIONS OF BIGAMY

“WIVES” WHO COMPARED NOTES. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Auckland, Last Night. Charges of committing bigamy, and of making a false declaration, were denied by Charles Mozart Spinley, aged 45, in the Police Court to-day. It was alleged accused went through a form of marriage with Annie Mary Whelan at Hamilton in 1925, when he was already married to Lena Norman Foote.

Lena Norman Spinley said she was married to accused at Matahura, near Ohinewai, in 1911. They did not get on well together, and separated in 1920. Accused paid maintenance to her for a time, but this ceased about a year later. Accused visited her, and asked her to return to him, but she refused.

Detective O’Sullivan said accused denied stating he was a batchelor when he was married a second time. Annie Mary Whelan said that 19 months after her marriage to accused they went to visit his brother in the country, and while there his sister-in-law taxed him with being married to another woman. Witness advertised for the first wife. They met and compared their marriage certificates, and witness then left accused. Accused w’as committed to the Supreme Court for trial. Prior to the hearing of the evidence Spinlcy was convicted and discharged on three charges of obtaining sums totalling £l9 10s. by means of false pretences. It was stated by the police that he was already serving a term of imprisonment.