By Isle of Wight Observer
The Isle of Wight Observer published on 9th November, 1912 tells a wife’s tale of what appears to be a most unhappy marriage and allegations against the police. The Bench didn’t believe her!
A Wife’s Allegation.
Beatrice Mary Russell, a married woman, living at No. 2, Warwick Place, pleaded not guilty to being unlawfully drunk and disorderly on Monday evening.
P.S. Ryall said about 11.30 the previous night he received complaints from prisoner’s husband. Blood was streaming from his head. Witness advised him what to do, and sent him home, where he went. A few minutes afterwards witness was in Warwick Place accompanied by P.C. Woolgar. They heard prisoner indoors threaten her husband and make use of most filthy language.
The husband stood it for several minutes until prisoner interfered with his little boy, when her husband told her that she was not in a fit state to take charge of the boy, and so would not allow her to take charge of him for the night. She again abused him, and he told her if she did not stop making use of such language, he would call in the police, and have her locked up, She rushed out of doors, shouting “Where are the ____. Let them _____ well lock me up.” Witness then went forward and took her into custody.
P.C. Woolgar gave corroborative evidence.
Prisoner said she was very sorry to be there. It was on account of her husband not giving her a ha’penny since Whitsun. Each time she asked him for money he told her to go out and get her own living. He used filthy language towards her. He only brought food into the house when he thought. When he used filthy language there was no one about. There were no policemen at all; but they watched her. Last Sunday her husband broke a chair over her. She had the bruise on her knee now. The Sergeant of the police said she was drunk and incapable. She went out to go to the police, and the Sergeant, who was waiting there, said “Got you,” and with that he punched her in the back, and called her a “cow.”
The Chief Constable reported that the prisoner was convicted in 1909 for being drunk and disorderly.
Prisoner: It is only on account of my husband. I admit I was in a temper.
The Bench imposed a fine of 5s. and the costs of the Court, or in default seven days hard labour.