THREATENED TO KILL HIS WIFE.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLIX, Issue 3835, 23 August 1928, Page 3

THREATENED TO KILL HIS WIFE.

MONTH’S HARD LABOUR IMPOSED. At the Feilding Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday, William Barr McNab, ,a rabbiter by occupation, was sentenced to one month’s hard laboiir on a charge of assaulting his wife. The accused, said Sergeant Cahill, was living in Pharazyn Street, and between 6 and 7 o’clock on Monday night he came home and created a disturbance by assaulting his wife and one of his children. His conduct was very bad. It was not the first occasion on which he had caused trouble in his home during the past twelve months. Accused pleaded not guilty. Hilda Sophia McNab said that her husband had been very cruel to her. He came home at about ten minutes past six on Monday evening* and ordered her to go outside and take the horse out of the gig. She refused. With that, he banged her on the side of the head and threatened to cut her throat. He then went outside to put the horse away and on re-entering the house followed her up the passage as she* was proceeding to attend to the baby who was crying. Catching her by the throat he threw her to the floor and again threatened to cut her throat. In the melee her, little girl got in the way and accused knocked her down to the floor and proceeded to try and choke witness. She was bruised about the arms, legs and throat and it was not the first time he had assaulted her. She had never given him any cause for assaulting her. The trouble started in February last when her mother died. In June last she had refused to take the hoi'se out of the gig and he had assaulted her in the presence of a Mr.. Stewart.

To the Bench. He* was drunk. He had only lately taken to drink*, and was alright when sober. He was not doing* any work. He had a little money in the bank and had* been out of work since June, but had kept the home going. Asked whether lie had any questions to ask of his wife accused said “I just pushed her.” The Bench: That’s nonsense. You don’t expect the Bench to believe that? Sergeant Cahill suggested that, in addition to any penalty the Bench might inflict accused should be bound over to keep the peace. In reply to the Bench accused said that he had no money but he thought lie would be able to obtain sureties.

Mr. Fisher, J.P.: It is a great pity that the Bench has not the power to order the “cat” in such a case. He is a callous sort of wretch. He has been up before me on several occasions and I have extended leniency solely on account of his wife and children. There will not be any leniency this time. One month’s hard labour. Accused (to his wife): Now you know. The Bench: Look here now. On account of that threat to your wife you will be bound over to keep the peace for twelve month’s in two sureties of £IOO each.