Denaby Desertion Case.

Dotson Dodds, a contractor, of Denaby, was summoned by his wife, Ann Dodds, for desertion, while she also applied for a separation order.

Complainant stated that in Doncaster race week, on the Wednesday night, the defendant came home and ordered her and the three sons to leave his house, at the same time using threatening language towards her. She had previously had to leave him on account of his conduct. They had been married 20 years, and she was now afraid to live with him.

The defending cross-examined her as to the conduct of the eldest boy, and she denied that the son had robbed him.

He said on Doncaster race Tuesday morning he gave his son 13/6 with which to trade in butterscotch on the grand stand at Doncaster. The son made a profit of over 8/– that day, and on the second day, Wednesday, he had 1 pound 6s 2 ½d, but when he returned from selling the butterscotch on what the Wednesday night, he only got 6/9 from him

Joseph Dobbs, the eldest son, gave evidence saying that his mother had left his father on account of his cruelty. On the Saturday before Doncaster races he kicked a pot of hot cocoa which his mother had in her hand, and the liquid went all over her face. On the Monday of Doncaster race week the defendant sent him to pawn something new suits of clothes in order to provide him with money to go to the races. His mother and himself and brothers left defendant once before, and they were away 12 months, the defendant during that time stowed away the younger brother, aged eight years.

In cross examination, he denied that he robbed his father.

William Dodds, aged 16, in bearing out the previous witness statement, said on the Wednesday in race week his father threatened to kill his mother.

The defendant denied the cruelty, or that he had deserted his wife. He earned 7/– a day.

The chairman said although the defendant had not acted in the sense of deserting his wife he had at in such a way as to make it impossible for her to live there.

An order for separation would be made, the defendant would have to pay 12/6 per week towards her children’s maintenance.

The defendant (smiling): I am very sorry to say that after selling my home it will be a “seek” for me. I shall never pay a penny.