Sarah
Hawkins Genealogy Site
Newspaper
Articles
Taunton Courier. Bristol and Exeter Journal, and Western Advertiser. Wednesday 19 Oct 1932
Page 2 Column 6
“FREEDOM OFFER” TO WIFE.
---
ALLEGED PERSISTENT CRUELTY
---
MAINTENANCE ORDER AGAINST TAUNTON HUSBAND.
---
WHY HIS SON STRUCK HIM.
A Taunton wife, who alleged that her husband had been guilty of persistent cruelty, was granted a separation order and maintenance of 10s a week at the Borough Police-court on Wednesday. She stated that her husband sometimes failed to speak to her for more than a week.
Complainant was Annie NEWTON, of No. 4 Court, East-street, and the defendant was Charles NEWTON, a labourer. He denied the charge, and accused his son, Walter NEWTON, of having assaulted him on October 11th. This case was heard first, and the son pleaded guilty.
Charles NEWTON informed the Bench that on Tuesday morning, as he was dressing, his wife called him a “dirty rotter” and a “home wrecker.” He replied, “If I am a rotter you made me rotten,” and with the same his wife poked him in the ribs. He turned and knocked her arm with the back of his hand, whereupon his son (the defendant) “flew” into the room. He got witness on the bed and pummelled him on the head, ribs, and body. Eventually he got away and went to the Police-station. It was not the first time defendant had assaulted him.
Defendant said that on Tuesday morning, when he was dressing at 7.30, he heard his mother and father quarelling [sic]. He went down and told them to shut up, and as he was going out of the room he saw his father hit his mother. He told him to stop it, whereupon his father aimed a blow at defendant. Defendant then started hitting him back. His father pinned him to the bed, but in the end defendant threw him out of the door.
ALLEGED CRUELTY.
Giving evidence in the case of alleged persistent cruelty, Mrs. NEWTON said on Tuesday morning her husband quarrelled with her in the bedroom. “It is mostly over money matters,” she added, “and because he wont get up to look for work. He struck me, causing a black mark on my arm. He also hit me in the chest, although I have been under the doctor's care since July 20th for heart trouble. My little girl shouted and my son, Walter, came downstairs and told him to stop it. He struck me again and then aimed a blow at Walter, who then hit him, and he thoroughly deserved it.”
Mrs. NEWTON alleged that her husband had treated her more or less badly ever since their marriage, and sometimes he would not speak to her for more than a week. She described other acts of alleged cruelty, and added that her husband had been out of work for 12 months. His unemployment pay was 19s 3d per week.
Complainant's story was borne out in evidence by Walter NEWTON, and by another son, Lance-Corpl. Charles F. W. NEWTON, of the Military Foot Police, who is now stationed in London. Further acts of alleged cruelty were mentioned by Mrs. Edith Maud TANNER, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. NEWTON.
OFFER OF “FREEDOM.”
Defendant told the Bench, “I will willingly give my wife freedom to go from me if she will leave me alone, but I cannot afford to give her anything, because I have debts to pay here.”
He produced the rent book, and the Clerk mentioned that the arrears on June 27th amounted to £8 10s.
Mrs. NEWTON: How can I pay the rent and keep everything straight if my husband doesn't give me the money? That's the only thing I have owed.
The Bench granted Mrs. NEWTON a separation order with maintenance of 10s a week, and the case brought by the father against the son was dismissed.
<NOTES: Charles NEWTON son of William NEWTON and Jane OATEN, married Waif Annie Maria SWEET
Annie is Waif Annie Maria SWEET son of Frederic James SWEET and Sarah HAWKINS, married Charles NEWTON>