The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1873-09-20 00:00:00

DESERTION OF A WIFE AND FAMILY BY

A SOLICITOR'S CLERK.

Thome: Bethel], a solicitor's clerk, who formerly
resided in this town, was charged at the Duoley
Police Court, on Wednesday last, with neglecting to
support his :children, whereby they had become
chargeable to the Union. Our readers will _,collect
that but a short time has elapsed sir an. before
brought up at the same Court, on a sin Oar charge.
The Magistrates on the present occasion were Messrs.
Budge (Mayor of Dudley) and Bagott. The
youngest child is three years old, and the eldest 13,
and the details of the case revealed a shocking state
of things. For some considerable time past the de-
fendant has been a slave to drink, and seldom see
to be sober. He neglected to supply his wife with
sufficient money to enable her to purchase proper
food for herself and the children, and she had to seek
the assistaoce of the Union authorities. The facts
of the case were made known to the guardians, and
legal proccedi lgs were ordered to be taken against
Bethel], and he appeared before the borough justices.
—Au order was made upon defendant to allow ho,
wife lOs per week, which, at the time, he appeared
quite wining to obey; but it turns out, aceoreirm to
the evidence of Mrs. Bethell, that he returned to his
drinking habits the very dext day, after he appeared
in the Police Curt, and she and her children would
have been starved but for the kindness of her friends.
A distress was levied upon the furniture, and there is
now only a few odds and ends left in the house.
Inspector Mapp mid Mr. G. B. Bradley, a ho visited
the house, say there is not a stool in the house, the
mother )111'1 left, and the children were very dirty
awl covered with vermin. A Illedieat man a called
in on the occasion of their visit, and he ordered the
ebile,•en:to be taken to the Workhouse to e washed
and cleaned. Mr. Bradley stated on Wedaesday
that the.c were only two ounces of bread in the de-
fendaa, s house, which the youngest child said his
laler had 1. it, and the eldest child said they must
.00t touch it, as their fatl cc would want it when he
returned.
Defeadant : All these proceedings only cripple me
in my designs for establishing nry!elf again.
In reply -to the Mayor, the Reheving Officer said
the chirren were still in the Workhouse.
Defemi at e;d no cross-examme the offer, but
expressed himself dissatisfied with what he caned
the ,e half measures."
The ilagistratei Clerk lam afraid they are half
measures. The magls',:ates have the power to al.er
the it -wing of the pre kat summons, r .a send yoa
to gaol to: six months.
Defendant: My being trammelled iu this way pre-
vents me doing any-thing for my children.
P01...r-mustable John Sansome ii.,aved that when
he apprehended defendant he was not sober.
The lie iatrates' Clerk If you can find money to
get Idrunk wi;h, you are able to purchase fo : for
your children.
The Mayor: What is he?
Defendaot ; I was a solicitor's mar ;ging r-crk.
The Mayor: And well alio to me' it iyi,i.' wife
and family.
Defendant Such situations are not to be had every

day.
The Mayor : You lost your place through your
own conduct.
Mr. Allen (clerk to the Guardians) : Where is your
wife, Bothell P
Defendant I don't know. She has gone away
and left me. .

The Mayor : And well she may.
Mr. Allen: The mother has deserted her children,
and if it can be legally .e, ti e Onardians would
take a warrant foe her apprehension.
The Magistrates' Clerk You cannot do that. Ii
is the father who is liable.
The Mayor (to defendant) : I shall send you to
gaol for one month, and I only regret that under the
SIIMMOII9 taken out against yon I cannot commit you
for a longei term. But ber this in mind,that if you
are brought befo:e me again, I will send you to pri-
son for the longest term allowed by la,
Defendant was then removed to gaol.