The Blandford and Wimbourne Telegram. — 1884-11-21 (Blandford, Dorset, England)

BRUTAL ASSAULT ON • WIFE.—At the Borough Police-court on F Aar, before the Mayor (Mr. R. Thomas), Mr. T. Abbott, Dr. Nathan, Mr. J. A. Tall) it. Mr. J. Vincent, Mr. J. G. Rowe, Mr. G. Rolls, and Mr. H. N. Howard,—Henry Roper was strmrained by his wife Harriet for aassulting and heating her on Saturday, the 25th of October. B .wen, who appeared ler the complainant, said the ass iutt was of a most aggravated character, and he asked for an order of separatiou.—Mrs. Roper, who retained marks of her husband's illetreatment, said she had been married about 26 years. 0.1 S ituelay, Oct deer 25th, she went to a publichourie in Park-street, the Prince of Wales, and asked if her husband was there. He then came out of the bonne, followed her up the street, and kicked her on the stomach and side several times. He called 11r bad names, and said he would murder her. He kicked her to the ground. She got up and walked to her house 5, West-terrace, when he knocked her down and said he would murder her, kicking her on the hand ant face. She showed her rieht hand, on which there was even now a great knob. She screams I "Murder," and begged him not to ill-tre st her any more. On going indoers he gave her a slap in the face, and thou went upstairs. She had been compelled to go to a doctor for advice. For three weeks she had been obliged to he fed with a spoon, and her mouth had bled from time to time. Her husband had beaten her ever since she had been married. The bleeding from the mouth was brought on by blows which he had given her. Her jaw was injured in July last by a blow from her husband, for welch she had two doctors to attend her—Dr. Lush and Mr. Colmar. She was suffering from that injury now. On Saturday defendant squared off at her, spit at her in the face, and struck her. She ran away, but he followed and threatened to eterder her. From the way in which he treated her she went in danger ef her life. Croas-examined : The blow on her hand was not erased by a fall between the sofa and table, but by her husband's treatment.—Defen lent said his wile had not been fresh two nights for the last three weeks. —Ann Billett, who lived close to Mrs. Roper, acid on the evening in question, hearing loud talking out ot doors, she went to see what was the matter, and found Mrs Roper on the ground. She aftecwar is saw defendant push her, and she told him nut to strike or hurt his wife.—Mr. Colmer, surgeon, said he had attended Mrs. Roper in June last for injuries to her face, the result of a blow of some description, and she was under his care for about three weeks. On the , 11th of November she cams to him again, this time reepecting a blow on the right hand, which might have been caused by a blow, kick, or fall. The injuries were such SR to cause considerable pain. He noticed a bruise on the face, but the discoloration was passing away.—ln his defence, Raper said he had tried his wife in every shape and form, both by kindness and otherwise. She got so drunk as to make life unbearable, even as late as last week conain4 home dead drunk in a cab at one in the morning. She aggravated him so much that h really did not know , what he was about. If a w man stayed away 13 , nights out of 15 frame her husband, it was enough to I make A man do what he otherwise would not.—A . man named Alfre I Andrews was called in his behalf. , —The Bench were of opinioa the best course would be to granta judicial inparation.—R mar : " With tee greatest pleaeure."—Mr. Bowen said M es. Riper was prepared to make her husbac.d an allowance a a a week, as the business she had was eettrely here.— Defendant said he was not going to be pensioned uff like that be wanted his house of furniture.—The