Mexborough and Swinton Times March 30, 1928

Husband Re-Appears.
Thought the Coast was Clear.

At Barnsley on Monday, James Bateman miner, of Wombwell, appeared in custody in respect to arrears of maintenance in favour of his wife.

Mr, J. Halmshaw said the case was a a peculiar one. In 1925 the wife, who had since died, obtained a maintenance order for 25s per week against defendant, but the latter made no offer to pay, and in 1926, a warrant for his arrest was issued. Defendant absconded a, had evaded arrest, and it was not until he heard of this wife’s death that he apparently came to the conclusion that he was free from his liabilities, and returned to Wombwell.

The warrant was then executed, the amount owing being £157 lOs. Since defendant left the district his wife and little child were maintained by her parents. Mr. Halmshaw added that he had never come across a more disgraceful case.

The Chairman: Have you any explanation to offer?

Defendant: I have been out of work and could not pay.

Mr, Herbert Smith: You have not been out of work since 1926, have you? Where have you been since then?

Defendant replied that he had been top to Nottingham. He was sorry for -what he had done and he would pay what he could when he got work.

The Magistrates’ Clerk : That is not definite enough.

The Bench ordered defendant to go to gaol for three months, but suspended the committal so long as he paid 7s. 6d per week towards the arrears. This applied until he got regular work, when the case would again be considered.