Sarah
Hawkins Genealogy Site
Newspaper
Articles
Taunton Courier. Bristol and Exeter Journal, and Western Advertiser. Wednesday 03 Jul 1918
Page 5 Column 1
TAUNTON BOROUGH POLICE-COURT.
WEDNESDAY. - Before the Mayor (Alderman H. J. Van TRUMP), Mr. John WHITE, and Mr. F. W. PENNY.
LICENSING. - On the application of Mr. T. BROOMHEAD, the license of of the Winchester Arms Inn, was temporarily transferred from Alfred James RING to Wm. Benjamin JONES.
DISCHARGED SOLDIER'S MARRIED LIVE.
WORSE THAN THE BATTLE OF MONS.
Henry WILKINS, a discharged soldier, now an attendant at Cotford Asylum, was summoned by his wife, Winifred WILKINS, who alleged persistent cruelty, and asked for a separation order.
Complainant stated that they had been married 12 years, and there was one child, five years of age. They had never lived happily, and on several occasions he had almost strangled her. He frequently accused her of misconduct, and kept a walking stick by the side of the bed. She was terrorised and afraid to live with him. He had threatened to finish her. She left him five or six weeks ago, but she could not give any specified acts of cruelty because it was continual. She formerly worked at the Post-office at night, and he then disturbed her by day. He was bound over in May last and she had not lived with him since. She had forgiven him many times, and last year some time a separation order was granted, but in consequence of his pleading she gave him another chance.
Defendant said his wife was like a “maze woman,” and it was worse than the battle of Mons. He had not ill-treated her, and had done his best to keep a home. He told his wife he would maintain the child, but not her.
Complainant said she asked for maintenance for herself and the child, because her health had broken down, and the doctor would not allow her to work at present.
Defendant said his wages were 23s per week, and he had a pension, making a total of £2 1s 6d.
The Bench made an order for defendant to contribute 12s per week towards the maintenance of his wife and child. - Defendant said he would maintain the child, but would go through anything rather than maintain his wife.
A LABOURER'S CRUELTY.
Charles JONES, labourer, of 3, Hill-terrace, South-street, was summoned by his wife, Bertha JONES, of Paul-street, who alleged persistent cruelty, and applied for a separation order. - Complainant stated that they had been married five years, and there were no children. Her husband had threatened her life, and tried to starve her. When living at Yeovil he pushed her down some steps, and injured her back, so that she had to be treated at the hospital. She was afraid to live with him. - Lily HARTNELL said the couple had been very quarrelsome, and Mrs. JONES had told her that her husband had threatened her. - Frank FROST was called by complainant, but said he had not heard or seen anything. - The Bench made an order for defendant to contribute 10s per week.
SEQUEL TO A DISTURBANCE IN HIGH-STREET.
Frederick BATSTONE, porter, of 13 Court, High-street, was summoned by Elizabeth BICKNELL, of High-street, for having, on the 17th inst., used indecent language. - He pleaded not guilty. - Evidence was given by prosecutrix and Alice JORDON. - Elizabeth BATSTONE, mother of the previous defendant, was summoned by Laura BICKNELL, a single woman, of High-street, for having on the 17th inst., assaulted and beaten her in High-street. - Prosecutrix stated that defendant threw slurs at her whenever she saw her. At 10.45 p.m. they were in the Full Moon, when defendant threw a glass of beer over her, and was going to strike her, but the landlady got between them. She continued to strike her when they got outside, and she (prosecutrix) had two black eyes. - Defendant admitted that she threw the beer over prosecutrix,who was the worse for drink, and she might have got a black eye when falling. - Laura BICKNELL was charged by Elizabeth BATSTONE with having used indecent language on the 17th inst. - Evidence was given by the prosecutrix, but defendant denied having used indecent language, saying that is she did so she was provoked to it. - The Bench bound all the defendants over for six months, and ordered each to pay their own costs.
SERIOUS CHARGE AGAINST AN EX-SOLDIER.
Frederick J. HINE, a discharged soldier, of 224, Walpole-street, Petersborough, formerly of Wellington, was summoned for having, on the 15th May, at Taunton, made statements intended, or likely to prejudice, the recruiting, training, or discipline of H.M. Forces. - Defendant did not appear, and Deputy-Chief-Constable BROWN asked for a warrant for his arrest, and this was granted.
<NOTES: Elizabeth BICKNELL is
Elizabeth VIRGIN daughter of Joseph VIRGIN and Susan BRUFORD, married
Hubert John BICKNELL
Laura Rose BICKNELL daughter of Hubert John
BICKNELL and Elizabeth VIRGIN>