Sarah
Hawkins Genealogy Site
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Taunton Courier. Bristol and Exeter Journal, and Western Advertiser. Wednesday 02 Jun 1926
Page 4 Column 6
A TROUBLESOME DEFENDANT
PREFERS PRISON TO PAYING ARREARS.
At the Taunton Borough Police-court on Thursday morning, before the Mayor (Councillor J. S. SCUDAMORE) in the chair, and Mr. W. DRAYTON, Sylvanus William WILCOX, labourer, of Ilminster, was summoned by Ethel Mary HUGHES, of Mary-street, Taunton, for being in arrears on a affiliation order to the extent of £4 10s.
Complainant stated that the order was made in August last, and no payment had been made at all.
P.S. COTTON: He has been to prison twice for arrears in respect of this order, the last time being in February, when he was sentenced to one month. The arrears with which he is now charged have accumulated since he came out.
The Mayor: Why don't you make some effort to pay? - Defendant: I would but unfortunately work is really scarce now.
What income have you got? - I get £1 a week.
You ought to pay something out of that. - I don't know. I find it rather difficult to live on that amount.
Further, defendant stated that this sum had been left him by his father. It was trust funds.
SPENDS MONEY ON DRINK.
Complainant: Defendant is always drinking. He is continually spending his money on that. If he can do that surely he can pay me something. I have to keep the child and myself, and I find I can hardly do it. I have written to him twice through the Post-office at Ilminster, where he draws his money, asking if he cannot pay the sum; if he will pay 5s. I will find the rest. He hasn't even answered my letters.
Mr. DRAYTON (to defendant): Don't you feel ashamed of yourself? - Unfortunately, I do not.
I should think that was unfortunate.
P.S. COTTON: Drink is his failing.
Miss HUGHES stated that whilst he was in prison defendant's weekly income had accumulated for him. WILCOX denied this, saying that it was stopped during that period. He got the money through his father's executors.
The Mayor: Can't you give us an order to the executors to pay over the money? - The estate will not be wound up yet.
Miss HUGHES: His brother told me he had made provision for his mother's tomb-stone – which it is quite right he should do – but when they suggested to him about making some payment to me he refused. He said I should not have sent him down the line, but he had the option when he was first brought here.
After consultation the Mayor said they would make an order for defendant to go to prison for another month, but that would be suspended so long as he paid 10s a week.
Mr. DRAYTON: You understand, as long as you pay you will not go to Exeter.
Defendant: I could not do it.
Mr. DRAYTON: But why think of yourself all the time? The child and Miss HUGHES have to live. - I can't do it.
Well, then you must go to Exeter.
<NOTES: Silvanus William WILCOX, son of Frederick WILCOX and Isabella Mary MANFIELD>