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THE POLICE COURTS.
'A MEAN HUSBAND.'
Torches Instead of Gas.
A charge of 'constructive desertion'
was preferred against Alfred Ernest Upton
at Richmond court yesterday. It was
alleged that he had failed to support his
wife and children and that they had been
forced to leave their home on account of
his conduct.
Eliza Upton said that when she was
living with her husband in Kent-street, he
had frequently threatened her. Once he
threw a knife at her and another time a
chair. He did not provide her or her
children with enough to live on. He was
so mean that he would not even permit
adequate lighting arrangements to be
made, and at night they had to go about
with lighted torches owing to the bad
condition of the gas fittings.
Sir. L'Estrange (for defendant): You
have been married for nearly 30 years ?
Witness: For 28 years.
You took all the furniture with you
when you left, even the bed that your
husband slept on? Yes, but I left him a
couch. He has told us to go on many
occasions, and has tried to starve us out.
Complainant's evidence was supported
by her daughter and her son.
'Defendant denied that he had treated
his wife in such a manner as would justify
her leaving home. He wanted her to re
turn.
Defendant was ordered to pay his wife
30/ a week. An order which was sought
in regard to one of the children was re
fused.
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