Adelaide Observer (SA : 1843 – 1904) Saturday 18 March 1848

POLICE COURT
Saturday, 11th March.

Edward Young, a bald-headed man, evidently on the wrong side of 50, was charged with feloniously assaulting his wife, a woman apparently about half his age.
Complainant presented an appearance which excited great sympathy. Her eye was blackened, her head cut, and she appeared so weak that she could with difficulty stand in the witness box. The clothes which, she had worn when the assault was committed were suffused with blood. She stated that her husband was a boot and shoemaker, residing at the "Tam O'Shanter Belt." On Thursday evening last she went home from town in company with her husband, in a cart in which there was a quantity of hay, which was so sharp that it was like needles and pins running into her.
When she got home she commenced undressing herself in order to get the hay out of her clothes, when he came in and knocked her down and jumped upon her. He then took her by the heels and dragged her about the room, swearing he would put her down the well. Heard a dray going past and screamed out " Murder!" He then desisted, but after the dray had gone past be went over to the sofa on which she was lying and struck her once or twice with his fist. Saw nothing more of him until yesterday when he came up and knocked her down with a stick as big as her arm. Seeing her pocket lying on the sofa he took it up and took all the money out of it. He then caught her by the bosom, opened his penknife, and swore if she did not give him up some money which he said he knew she had he would take her life. She said she had no more money. He then ordered her to go and get the cattle ready for milk- ing, and having done so came in company with him, to town.
When she got the length of the Shakspeare tap, she told him she was too ill to go any farther, and that he must serve the milk himself to the remainder of the customers. Went on in the cart with him, to Light-square and when serving a customer there he asked her what money she had taken. He commenced swearing at her again, and said he wished she would make away with herself. She then took up a whip and "chucked" it at him, saying, he should be
ashamed of himself. He then stopped and picked up a brick bat and struck her on the head with it, and sent her sprawling in the cart. He picked up a second one, but a man came forward and said he should not strike her again. Went and got a constable and gave him in charge.
By the Court.—Was married to the prisoner in Launces-ton. He had often beaten and served her out before. Between his Worship and herself she had never given him the least cause of complaint. Her husband was sober on both occasions. The mark on the bonnet produced was made by the brick he struck her with.
By her Husband.—Did not run away from you, and never said I had been to see some of my fancy men. Did not say, "You may get your supper yourself, you old wretch." You told me if I went a yard from you you would take my life. I told some persons that a fly had stung me in the eye, in order not to expose you.
Mrs Barnett was then called, and stated the prosecutrix had shown witness her back which was dreadfully bruised. The skin was completely torn off the blade bone.
The prisoner having been duly cautioned, stated that he had got a little property, and that his wife had frequently said she would have it all and make him a miserable man.
During the last races she took his pony and cart, and sold them, but he got them back. She had said she would have him in the body of the Jail by hook or by crook, and that she did come before a magistrate against him, she would not come with her finger in her mouth. He denied flinging the brick-bat at her, and the rent in her bonnet was made by her falling backwards in the cart when she was hitting him with the whip. He did not deny striking her. but not with the brick-bat. Before he had been married to her a fortnight she commenced playing up, running away and robbing him. She was punished for it in Launceston, by being sent for a month to the factory. He came over to Adelaide before her, and sent for her that she might break her connections at the other side, but here she was carrying on her old games. He had offered to send her to Van Diemen's Land with £40 worth of clothes, but her answer was, she would send him back and keep all he had. She was continually purchas-ing silk dresses and shawls, and other articles of finery, and robbing him.
Prosecutrix said he was too lazy to work, and had scarcely done a turn for the last eight months. She could prove that all the statements he had made were false.
His Worship said he had committed a most atrocious, cowardly, and disgraceful assault upon his wife, and he would send him to answer for it to a jury.
The prisoner applied for bail, which his Worship at first consented to take, but afterwards refused.