ALLEGED STABBING

Hokitika Guardian, 19 December 1933, Page 6

ALLEGED STABBING

THE HUSBAND CHARGED.

(Per Press Association*- Copyright.)

CHRISTCHURCH, December 19

Alexander James Churton, aged 33, a labourer, was charged before Mr Mosley, S.M., with assaulting his wife, Betty Churton,, so- as to cause bodily harm. Accused 'had been remanded without bail since December 10,; .wlieii. ; lie and his wife were •treated by the outpatients department of the hospital for .wounds allegedly bv a knife. This morning Doctor McLeay , gave evidence that the' woman had - been suffering from a stab wound in the leg. Extensive bleeding had occurred. Accused had a spiral cut at the Ease of the third finger of the left hand. Both wounds could have been caused by a pocket knife. Betty Churton, wife of accused, said she had not lived with her husband for 2£ years. 61ie had been visiting friends on December 10, and when returning,. her husband met her in the road and called out' “You’ve got evidence of divorce. I’ll murder you before you divorce me,” ' Churton than caught her and dragged h<Jr into the road. She could -not tail what happened then. Churton;..-.from >• The dock: “You dirty, rotten liar,” The Told. Accused tw keep^'t:almiAAi, : a Witness proceeding, said not till ■she - fet blood pouring down her leg did she now she had been woundedShe had not the slightest idea how the wound was caused.

Witness, replying to counsel for the defence, denied carrying a nail file, or ever having chased Churton with a knife.

Robert D. Berry, who witnessed the struggle in the street gave evidence that Churton said later: “Look She came at in® with a knife,” showing a cut on the hand. While the pair were struggling, a woman called from the house where Mrs Ohurton lived: “Give it to him.”

Another witness said accused had previously threatened to attack his wife with a knife.