AN ASSAULT CASE.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume V, Issue 1397, 5 December 1884, Page 2

AN ASSAULT CASE.

Attheß. M. Court this afternoon, before Mr Baddeley, 8.M., Frederick Moore was charged with having violently assaulted his wife, Johanna Moore. Mr Branson appeared for the complainant, and Mr Wilding for the accused. The complainant said that on November 28th her husband returned home about 5 p.m. This was earlier than he usually came in, and witness had not his tea ready, de used very abusive language towards witness and then left the house. He returned about three hours later and threatened to murder her. He proceeded to beat witness with the stick and iron shovel produced, on her back and arms. Witness was not fully dressed at the time, and her arms and shoulders were bare. She had said -nothing to provoke the accused-Croas-examined by Mr Wilding: Witness did not think that she bad been happy in her married life. She did not know how long she had been married, she thought about six months. Her husband had known her fifteen months previous to their marriage. Witness bad never struck the accused with a knife. Witness could not say if her husband was drunk or sober on the night of the assault. Dr Ross said that the complainant bad come to him the day following the alleged assault. On examination he found large bruises on different parts of her body, wMoh might have been produced by blows from the stick and shovel exhibited in Court. Mary Tate recollected being at thecomp’ai jant’s residence on the evening of the alleged assault. The accused burst into the house about ten o'clock, and proceeded to beat the accused as already described.

By Mr Wilding: Had not seen Mra Moore open the door with the shovel. -<aw accused strike his wife on the back with a shovel and the stick produced. This closed the case.

Mr Wilding submitted that an assault had taken place, but under very aggravating circumstances. The complainant had caused great provocation. The accused stated that his wife refused to cook his tea on the evening named in the information and had used very offensive language towards him. Left the house and went to the brewery, where he worked, and on hie return to the house he fonnd his wife nailing the door up in order to prevent him from coming in. Took the hammer away from his wife and then she took up a fire shovel and bit him on the bead, indicting a gash, causing the blood to flow, Was sure that he had not struck the complainant before this Had been very unhappy since ha was married.' Had seen her out of doors in her night-dress. By Mr Branson ; Did not strke his wife with anything inside the house. Seised her round the waist and put her out of the house when she waa about to strike him with the hammer. Might have given her two or three blows with the shovel aud with the stick as well. dames Leonard said he waa with the accused on the night of the row. Saw a woman calling accused names. He went into his house and shortly afterwards saw him with a severe cut on his head.

By Mr Branson: Saw Mrs Moore as welt that evening, but could not say how the wounds were inflicted.

His Worship said‘the assault was a very violent one, and he would fine the accused L 5 or six weeks’ imprisonment, and to find one surety of L 25 and himself in LSO. Fourteen days were allowed the aocused to pay the fine in.