Sarah
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Eastern Evening News Friday 27 Mar 1908
Page 2 Column 3
YARMOUTH WIFE GETS A SEPARATION.
MARRIED THIRTY-THREE YEARS.
At Yarmouth Police-court to-day, before the Mayor, Messrs. W. BARNARD, T. J. SAUL, and G. BAKER.
Robert CUBITT, Alderson Road, was summoned by his wife for desertion. Mr. A. F. CLOWES appeared for complainant, and Mr. P. WILTSHIRE for defendant.
Complainant said she was married thirty-three years ago, and had had fifteen children, of whom six were alive. For some time past defendant had illtreated her. On Boxing Day he split her head open with a glass pepper box, and she had to go to the hospital, where some stitches were put into her head. He told her on Friday night that he was tired of his life and “would do her in” before he went. That evening she was in an auction room, when he made a gross accusation against her. A few days prior to that he chased her upstairs with a knife. She had been turned out at night, had taken refuge with her daughter, and also taken shelter at the workhouse, for which defendant had to pay the Guardians £2 4s. 6d. Last Friday night, when he turned her and her daughter out, he said, “Good-bye.” Defendant was a stevedore and could earn as much as £3 per week. She had not been back to her husband, and was afraid to live with him.
Cross-examined – She had made frequent complaints to the police. She denied that she left defendant on her own account.
Rose CUBITT, defendant's daughter, said complainant had to lock herself in her bedroom to escape his violence. When she was at table he abused her, and swore and cursed. Complainant went into the workhouse on account of his cruelty. Defendant turned her and her mother out. Owing to his conduct he had received notice to quit his house.
Defendant said his wife went into the workhouse because she had been away two months, and he refused to have her back. After being away twelve months she rejoined him, and sixteen months ago preferred a charge of assault against him, but it was withdrawn. When he was ill his wife tried to get him into the workhouse, and a relieving officer, who called told him he would have plenty of people to wait on him there. The last time he struck his wife was fifteen years ago. He had never chased his wife with a knife in his hand. He did not turn her out on Friday, because he had no key with which to lock the door. She had left him some fifteen times. His home was open to his wife.
Mr. WILTSHIRE said that an old man of sixty like defendant could not be so violent that it was not safe for complainant to live with him. What occurred was a family squabble more than anything else, and no case of desertion had been made out.
The magistrates granted a separation order with an allowance of 10s. per week to the wife. Defendant was also ordered to pay the costs.
<NOTES: Robert CUBITT son of George CUBITT and Jane LARN, married Susan P. THOMPSON
Rose CUBITT daughter of Robert CUBITT and Susan P. THOMPSON>