ATTACK WITH POKER

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 902, 20 February 1930, Page 13

ATTACK WITH POKER

WIFE’S STORY OF CRUEL TREATMENT HUSBAND TRIED SUICIDE Declaring that she was frightened of her husband, Frederick George Devey, Henrietta Devey at the Police Court this morning detailed attacks which, she urged, her husband had made upon her culminating in an assault on November 30 when he had chased her with a poker and then attempted to cut his throat. Devey, a carpenter aged 41, who has been in hospital for nearly three months, was charged with assaulting his wife on November 30, Mr. Leahy entering a plea of guilty on his behalf. Accused was ordered to come up for sentence when called upon. A separation order was also made against him, mantenance and guardianship orders being already in existence. Mr. Moody appeared for Mrs. Devey. Senior-Sergeant O’Grady said that Devey and his wife had not been living together but, on November 30, he had arrived to see the children. He went into a room where the little girl was and read to her. Returning to where his wife was setting at her sewing machine, Devey had asked her what she was doing. She had replied and after remarking that she appeared to be having a of a good time, he

had struck her on the breast and face. ! “He then seized the poker and chased j the woman, who ran out of the house," : continued the senior-sergeant. “When j it ..seemed likely that her cries would i rouse the neighbours. Devey went back inside the house. A neighbour, fear- ! mg for the safety of the child, followed and found Devey, who had | attempted to commit suicide by cutting , his throat. * I am told this sort of j thing has been going on for some 1 time.” / Mr. Leahy admitted the facts though j mentioning that Devey considered the j case had been made out to be much I worse than it really was. The man had j been four years out of ten in hospital ; on account of war wounds and.! through his disabilities, had been un- j able to earn enough at his trade to! satisfy his wife. It was theu that ' the trouble had started. Counsel asked that proceedings in regard to the application for separation should be suspended for a few weeks until Devey was fully recovered from his i injuries. He would then be in a J better frame of mind. If the order were made immediately, the man would worry and his recovery would be retarded “He is still a patient at the hospital.” counsel said. Mr. F. K. Hunt S.M.: There is a very good hospital at. the gaol. Mr. Moody: We don’t want him pat in gaol. The Magistrate: It doesn't matter what you want. I have a good mind to send him there. Mrs. Devey produced a doctor’s certificate describing' injuries which she said had been inflicted upon her by her husband. They included bruises on the breast, on the jaw and

a strained wrist. Proceedings for separation had been taken first in 1927 when the case had been struck our after Devey had promised to behave himself. “I am frightened he will come again.” said witness. Mr. Hunt granted the separation order. “There is not a court in the country that would refuse a separation order after hearing this evidence” he said. “It should not. retard Devey s recovery either. He knows now exactly what his position is. If he worries his wife again he will get six months.” Accused was convicted and ordered to come up for sentence within six months on the assault charge. “I would give him a month if he were not in the hospital.” the magistrate added.