MAN-WOMAN'S WIFE

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 720, 20 July 1929, Page 27

MAN-WOMAN'S WIFE

POLICE COURT SEQUEL There was a. police court sequel at Eveshnm. Worcestershire, recently, to the disclosure made that a. woman named Holtom in the poor law infirmary had been masquerading as a man. Mabel Beatrice Hinton, of Merstowe Green, Evesham. who had lived with Holtom as the “wife," was charged with making a. false statement relating to the birth of her younger child at Evesham on September 16, 1927. Mr. H. J. Barham, prosecuting for the Registrar—General, said that while Hinton was living with Holtom, a child was born to her. It was registered as “‘illiam Sidney Holtom. The mother's name was given as Mabel lloltom, formerly Hinton. when her real name was W'illiams. It was an attempt to pass off an illegitimate child as legitimate.

Mr. Henry Charles Gardiner, superintendent registrar. Evesham, stated that he saw Hinton regarding the registration. She said she realised that as Holtom had proved to be a. woman she could not be the father of the child.

Mr. Cross. defending: \V‘ere you impressed ihat. she was speaking truthfully when she said that she thought the woman was a. man?—l was impressed. Sarah Holtom, the “man-woman," who wore a. land girl's outfit. and man’s boots. gave evidence of having lived with Hinton as her husband for about {our years. She asked Hinton who was the father of the child, and she said that she did not know. Cross-examined, she said she went with Hinton to have the child christened. but did not give her name. She had dressed as a. man for 20 years. Hinton was committed to Birmingham Assizes. bail being granted.