Mexborough and Swinton Times August 23, 1929

Wath Desertion                              

Possible Reunion.

John Batty, 25,. a labourer, ’employed by the Wath. Council, of Midland Terrace, Wath, was at Rotherham West Riding Police Court on Monday summoned by his wife, Olive Batty, of 7 Pearson’s field, Wombwell, for desertion and having failed to maintain her and her two children.

Olive Batty said they were married at Barnsley Register Office in July 25, 1928. There were two children, Ivan, aged two years and Arnold aged four months.

On October 7th, 1928, her husband left the house and came home late for dinner. She accusede him of being out with another woman, and he said if she did not like it she could leave. She left on October 8th. Since that date her husband had not given her a penny. He was not safe to live with, and when he was drunk he acted like a madman.

Defendant in court said his wife left him of her own accord, and he did not know she had left. He had only lived with her two weeks, since the marriage. He had a house waiting for her to come back to.

Aid. E. Dunn, presiding magistrate, said the magistrates were very reluctant to make an order. There was a better way out of the trouble.

Addressing Olive Batty he said, “Your plain duty is to go back to this man. You are man and wife and he is in work, earning £2 6s. 2d. He has got a house waiting for you. We are of the opinion that you should try and adjust the differences between you by going back to him.”

The case was adjourned for a month for the parties to get together again.