TERRIFIED FAMILY

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLVIII, Issue 3635, 7 May 1927, Page 3

TERRIFIED FAMILY

FATHER’S .GRUESOME THREATS. Auckland, May 6. “I’ll sever your heads from your bodies with this,” was the threat frequently made by Edward Gilbert to his wife and children as he sat sharpening the family breadknife, according to a statement made in evidence before Mr. E. C. Cutten, S.M., in the Magistrate’s Court this morning. Mrs. Gilbert said her husband had frequently threatened to murder her and the children. He had said he would hammer out their brains with a hammer. On one occasion lie brought a chopper into the parlour, and said he would hack the piano to pieces. He was not a heavy drinker, and had no excuse for making these statements. “My little tcn-vear-old boy is so frightened of his father that lie usually hides the knife under his pillow at night. Both the children are terrified. My husband is continually sharpening the knife and threatening to sever their heads. Although there is no religions difference between my husband and myself lie refuses to allow me to take the children to church to be baptised. Percy Quin, a boarder in the house, said the defendant had fiequently threatened to “take their heads off their bodies” the first chance he got. Every night of the week it was the same thing. Mr. Matthews asked for an order for £2 2s a week maintenance, stating that the man could earn £4 14s. The order was made, with costs.