MARRIAGE TANGLE

Hokitika Guardian, 19 June 1930, Page 2

MARRIAGE TANGLE

exchange: of bridegroom

FORGERY CHARGES

Details of a remarkable marriage story, in which it was suggested that one brother had impersonated another as bridegroo mand was married in the other’s name, were given at the Manchester City Police Court recently, when charges of forgfry and- perjury were-heard against the two brothers, against the bride, and a woman witness of the ceremony. ‘ ''

The persons charged were Edith Steadman (or Moorbv), aged 24, of (Ihnp'el Street,' Salford: Elizabeth Broclie, aged 42, of Buck Street, Ardwick; George AlfrcdnSteadman, aged 28. -of Charlie Street, Ardwick. and Thomas Steadman, aged 22, of Rochdale Road, Manchester. Mr John Hultltou appeared to prosecute, and Brodie was represented by Mr Booth.

Mr Hutton said the case arose through a marriage ceremony of an extraordinary character which took place at the South Manchester Registry Office on March 3, 1928. It appealed that Edith Mooriby and George Alfred Steadman were on the way to the registry office to be married, when Steadman announced, it was alleged, that as he was already married he would get his younger brother, who was with the party, to take his place in the ceremony and marry the girl in his name. This was what really happened, and Alfred afterwards signed the register as a witness in the name of Thomas. Then Alfred and the girl went away together, and presumably resumed cohabitation, leaving Thomas, who had really married the woman, to go elsewhere.

Mr Hutton added that the case only came to the notice of' the police when Edith Moorby and her mother reported to Detective Inspector G'rowtber that Thomas Steadman, who was the man to marry Edith, had committed bigamy by going through a marriage eevemony with a woman named Florence ißftll Last October. Statements were then .obtained from the four accused persons, and details of the former ceremonv were disclosed.

In one statement the woman 'Brodie, wlio had signed the register <‘G a witness, said she had agreed to stand at Edith’s wedding, but she did not know what was going to happen, although she admitted that Thomas gave Alfred’s name during the ceremony. She was very upset at this, and told Alfred that she did not thank him for his mother asking her to stand for him, jbut ' Alfred just lan p)hed. When the i»arty returned tn th(> house of Alfred’s mother the mother welcomed Alfred and Edith as a married couple, and wished them much happiness. On being committed for trial at the Assizes Edith Moorby said, “I was innocent of doing wrong,” but the other prisoners made no statement.