MAGISTRATE'S COURT

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 306, 14 September 1918, Page 10

MAGISTRATE'S COURT

1 HUSBAND MOLESTING HIS WIFE. A man named Alexander Aspin was charged before Mr. F.. V. Fra/.er, S.M., at the Magistrate's' Court yesterday with drunkenness and with having molested his wifo while a separation order was in force, by watching and besetting her dwelling in Brook Street. "This is rather ;i bad case," said Senior-Sergeant Willis. "This man's wife had to take steps to get a separation order from him owing to his drnnkeu habits and tho way he illtreated her. An order for separation and maintenance was made, but he has complied with neither. He is a drunken waster. The wife is a very respectable woman, and has to earn her own living. He won't get, away from the unfortunate woman, and will not leave lier alone." Convicted and discharged for drunkenness, Aspin was sentenced to seven days' hard labour on the charge of molesting his wife. "You promised only on Monday that you would not repeat the offence, and apparently there is only one way to cure you," remarked ■His Worship to accused. Louis Gestro was fined £1, with £1 Is. costs, for having used profane lantmago on the Khaudallah Railway Station. Mr. H. I<\ O'Lenry appeared .for defendant. For insobriety, George Conroy was convicted and discharged, but was made the subject of a prohibition order, and Aksell Williamson was lined 10s., in default 48 hours' imprisonment. ' Thomas Jacobsou was fined £2, with. 7s. costs, in default seven days imprisonment, for the breach of a prohibition order. Charles Lemon was made the subject of a prohibition order. A fine of 10s., with 7s. costs, was imposed on John Arthur O'Brien tor having failed to notify his change of address to the Government Statistician. Daphne England, for whom Mr. h. M. Beechey appeared, proceeded against her 'brethor-ii-law, Louis William England, represented by Mr. H. E. Evans, on an information ot assau t. Complainant stated that during tho course of a dispute she was pushed against a kitchen stovo and burned on one of her. arms. Defendant denied having been responsible for the injury. His Worship said that there appeared to be a certain amount of ill-feeling between the parties, but the evidence in the case was conflicting. He didnot think the complainant was altogether free from blame. ■ Tliere were faults on both sides. He adjourned the case sino die, on the condition that defendant did not go near complainant s place, and paid costs amounting to £1 7s.