HUSBAND IN PRISON

Dominion, Volume 20, Issue 64, 9 December 1926, Page 11

HUSBAND IN PRISON

WIFE APPLIES FOR SEPARATION ORDER. Dominion Special. Dunedin, December 8. An unusual separation case occupied tba attention of Mr. Bartholomew, S.M., at the Magistrate’s Court this morning. Sarah Ann Batterbee, applying for a separation order on the grounds of persistent cruelty by Walter BatterbeeDefendant telegraphed from . H-M. Prison, New Plymouth, that he had failed to interview a solicitor, and objected to the hearing in his absence. Complainant's counsel said the caso had beeh adjourned several times to enable defendant to take what steps he could in vo matter. He could have had his evidence taken at New ± ly--11 The Magistrate agreed to hear the action, and complainant in evidence said that she had been married in England tn 1910, coming to New Zealand about eeven years ago and living at Waikouaiti. Defendant had. used physical violence towards her, and on one occasion he had struck her. She saw twol doctors, and one said that she was suffering fro snrained law. On another occasion defendant had threatened to throw her out of the window. Ho had been convicted of certain sexual offences against children who were in complainant s care He had escaped from custody twice and complainant wanted to be able to call in police protection if he should escape aga’in. A separa ion order was made, costs amounting to -B. being allowed.