Joseph Dines, innkeeper, Desborough, was summoned for threatening the
life of his wife, Jane Dines, at Desborough, on January 12th.
—Mr. Rawlins appeared for the prosecutrix.
—In opening the case for the prosecution, Mr. Rawlins said the
parties had been married 18 years, but during the past 13 years they had
lived a life of wretchedness and misery. So long as the husband kept
from drink the complainant had nothing to complain of, but
unfortunately, during the period stated he had given way to drink, and
had treated his wife with exceeding brutality. His conduct had been of
such a terrible nature that she had at times been obliged to leave the
house, and once, in 1886, she had had to take out a summons against him.
Defendant then promised to amend, and the summons was withdrawn.
However, he did not keep his promise, and he had now assaulted her in a
most brutal manner. On the day named he went home the worse for drink,
and on entering asked for a cigar. His wife was busy, and asked one of
the children to get him one. This seems to have annoyed defendant, and
he ran her out of the tap-room, but before he could reach complainant he
was stopped by some customers. Defendant nursed his wrath for some time,
but he broke out again when they got upstairs. His wife became so
alarmed that she went into the children's room and hid herself under the
bed. Defendant could not find her, but he shouted "I'll murder you when
I find you," and also "I'll MaeRae her if I swing for it." This caused
his wife to leave the house, and she, with three daughters, took refuge
in the street, being only partially dressed at the time. Defendant
refused to have her back, and he (Mr. Rawlins) now asked that Dines
should be put under such sureties as would constrain him for the future;
and as to her maintenance, the learned gentleman said he should have to
take steps in another court to compel the defendant to do his duty
towards his wife.
—Jane Dines said there had been eleven children of the marriage,
four of whom were dead. For many years she had had reason to complain of
the conduct of her husband. He had frequently threatened and assaulted
her. On the day named she said he was the worse for drink, and when she
asked one of the children to get a cigar which he asked for, Dines
became very excited, and called out, "Won't you fetch it you —." He
followed her along the passage, but was prevented from getting at her by
some men. When they got upstairs he became noisy, and she ran away from
him. She hid under the children's bed, and she heard him shout out the
sentences told by Mr. Rawlins. She left the house because she was afraid
of her husband.
—P.S. Marks deposed that he saw the complainant, with her three
daughters, partially dressed, in the streets between eleven and twelve
at night. He went to her, and she complained of the conduct of her
husband. Witness went to Dines, but he refused to have her in the house.
—Defendant, in defence, told the magistrates that the cause of their
quarrels had been jealousy, and that was why the complainant had left
him so many times. He hopes the Bench would grant a separation order. He
denied using any threats, nor had he turned her out of the house. He
thought the complainant knew she was wrong, for only two days before she
had sent down to ask him to make it up again.
—Francis Minney was called by defendant, and he stated that he was
present at defendant's house on the night in question. He heard
defendant's wife say to Dines, "Go back to your Loddington —," but he
heard no disturbance then, and only a few words, which he could not
catch, afterwards upstairs. Defendant had had drink but witness thought
he knew what he was doing.
—The Bench bound defendant over to keep the peace for six months in
two sureties of £10 each, and himself in £20, and ordered him
to pay the costs 11s. 6d.
Northampton Mercury,
Friday 27 January 1893