Slashed Wife’s Ear with a Table-Knife

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 957, 28 April 1930, Page 1

Slashed Wife’s Ear with a Table-Knife

MAN’S THREAT TO SHOOT DRINK SAID TO BE TROUBLE Visiting his wife at the house where she was living with another man, on April 14 last, Harold Garfield Holt, in a drunken condition. seized a table-knife and slashed her on the back of the ear. This fracas led to a prosecution in the Police Court today, when Holt was prohibited and bound over in the sum of £SO to keep the peace for 12 months. Described as a boot-finisher. Holt, aged 45, was first charged with assaulting his wife, with intent to cause her grievous bodily harm. However, cn the application of Mr. Dickson, who represented the accused, the charge was reduced to aggravated assault. Supporting his application for the preferment of a minor charge. Mr. Dickson said the trouble had occurred between husband and wife, who was living with another man. In a drunken condition Holt had visited the place where she was staying, and grabbing a table-knife struck at her. cutting her on the back of the ear. Counsel pointed out that accused had been contributing £1 weekly toward the maintenance of the two children, and the wife now really warned the charge withdrawn, but merely wanted to ensure that he would not again molest her. She now intended suing for divorce. After examining the wound, which Mrs. Holt exposed from behind her hair, Mr. F. K. Hunt, S.M.. agreed to reduce the charge to aggravated assault. Mr. Dickson entered a plea of guilty to this charge. PAIR LIVED APART According to Sub-Inspector Shanahan, Mrs. Holt, although not separated, had been living apart from her husband for some time, having left him because of his cruelty. She had been maintaining herself and the children with the assistance of the man with whom she was living. Mrs. Holt had complained that her husband had met her In Ponsonby Road prior to April 14. and urged her to return to him. “If you don’t return by next Saturday I’ll shoot you,” Holt had threatened her. About 1.30 p.m. on April 14 accused came to the back door of her home and asked for a cup of tea. He was told to leave, but entering the house, he ordered out her sister, who was dining with her. He then grabbed a table-knife, and during a struggle with her, slashed her on the ear. Had It not been for her Bister’s aid, Mr*. Holt believed her husband would have done her more serious injury. Her neck was bleeding when she rushed into a neighbouring house, but accused followed her there, and pleaded with her not to Inform the police. When she announced her intention of doing so, Holt asserted: “If I get gaol for this I’ll do for you when I come out” KNIFE BADLY BENT The weapon with which the assault was carried out was produced by th--police officer, who said it was badlybent in the struggle. Mr. Dickson described accused as a decent, hard-working man. Counsel said that Holt had seen his wife the previous evening, when she informed him that Smith was out of work and asked him for some money. He went to the house to give her some money but was in a drunken condition at the time. “Drink seems to be your trouble,'" remarked the magistrate to accused, who undertook to take out a prohibition order immediately. In binding accused over, the magistrate warned him if he went near his wife again he would get six months. Time was allowed accilked to find tbe bond.