OLD BAILEY CHARGE

Taranaki Central Press, Volume IV, Issue 426, 6 May 1937, Page 5

OLD BAILEY CHARGE

CHILDREN WHO STARVED MARRIED COUPLE ON TRIAL Manslaughter Allegation Press Association —CoPvrlgbt Received May 6, 10.5 a.m. London, May 5. Evidence in the case against Percy and Lilian Davies, a married couple, who left home, their two children remaining to starve, was heard at the Old Bailey again to-day. The case for the prosecution is that defendants quarrelled on March 5. The husband took lodging on March 6; the wife called at her sister’s home on March 6 and stayed there until sho was arrested on March 18. She said she left her husband because he was paying attention to another woman. She put the children to bed before her departure and left a note telling her husband where she had gone. The children were found dead on March 18. They had been without food in the bedroom for twelve days. Death was due to exhaustion after starvation —probably eight days after de-

sertion. The Judge ruled that there was evidence for the jury. Percy Davies swore he had not the remotest idea that nobody was looking after the children. He left home because his wife had not a clean shirt for him. He found the bodies when he went home to get a uniform for a territorial parade. The wife gave evidence to the effect that she did not realise her husband was permanently leaving home. The case was adjourned.