South Yorkshire Times, December 23, 1932

Parted Young

Wombwell Couple in Court

A Darfield motor mechanic, William A. Willets, was charged at Barnsley on Wednesday with having neglected his family. The case was brought at the instance of his wife Phyllis Willetts.

Mr. A. Smith (prosecuting), said the parties were married on the 22nd September 1931 and had one child. They were young and the lad had very little means. Nevertheless it was his duty to maintain his wife and child. When married they had no home of their own but lived with the husband’s parents and for a little while with the wife’s mother. The boy’s parents were not going to keep the girl and it was obvious the girl’s mother could not keep the couple and the child for nothing.

The complainant, Phyllis Willetts, said they eventually got a house in Pinfold Hill. Darfield. Since Nov. 21st site had received no money. During the first two weeks of time married life her husband paid her 25s. 3d. week. On many occasions she had received food front her mother, her sister and a neighbour, Mrs. Jackson. She was prepared to live with her husband.

Answering Mr. W. Winter (defending), complainant said she had spoken to her mother and Mrs. Jackson about the small amount of money her husband gave her. She had also told a police sergeant that she was not being maintained.

Eliza Jackson, the neighbour, said the young couple seemed unhappy. Frequently she had lent money to the complainant in order the she could go home to her mother for a meal On 14th December she noticed there was only a small amount of butter in the house. She was of opinion that the husband had not provided for the girl,

On behalf of defendant. Mr. Winter said up to the 9th of this month Willetts had given his wife all his money. The wife, however, had got into debt with a tradesman and so defendant decided to purchase the food and hand over the balance to his wile. Complainant had refused to have the balance and since then had received the whole 25s. 3d.

Defendant said he would not live with his wife any more

An order for the payment of 25s. a week was made.

Arising out of the same case, William A. Willetts and Arthur Willetts of Dartield, were charged witn assaulting Phyllis Willetts and a cross summons was taken out by Annie Willets of Darfield, against Eleanor Thomas of Wombwell, and Phyllis Willetts.

Mrs H Smith, on behalf of Elena Thomas and Phyllis Willetts, said Mrs Willetts when see her husband but he had gone to Barnsley with his mother. The girl was walking with her mother in Darfield, when they noticed Annie Willets, William and Arthur Willetts, coming from a bus. To Annie Willets (the boy’s mother), the girl said (What kind of game is your son playing; why doesn’t he come home?” The mother push the girl aside and when the girl went to retaliate, Arthur Willets struck her in the eye and the husband ate her in the side. The girl fainted and had to receive this medical attention.

On behalf of the other parties Mr Winter said the wife had struck Annie Willets without provocation and the two men had merely sided for the girl.

All the charges were dismissed.

Wombwell Couple in Court

A Darfield motor mechanic, William A. Willets, was charged at Barnsley on Wednesday with having neglected his family. The case was brought at the instance of his wife Phyllis Willetts.

Mr. A. Smith (prosecuting), said the parties were married on the 22nd September 1931 and had one child. They were young and the lad had very little means. Nevertheless it was his duty to maintain his wife and child. When married they had no home of their own but lived with the husband’s parents and for a little while with the wife’s mother. The boy’s parents were not going to keep the girl and it was obvious the girl’s mother could not keep the couple and the child for nothing.

The complainant, Phyllis Willetts, said they eventually got a house in Pinfold Hill. Darfield. Since Nov. 21st site had received no money. During the first two weeks of time married life her husband paid her 25s. 3d. week. On many occasions she had received food front her mother, her sister and a neighbour, Mrs. Jackson. She was prepared to live with her husband.

Answering Mr. W. Winter (defending), complainant said she had spoken to her mother and Mrs. Jackson about the small amount of money her husband gave her. She had also told a police sergeant that she was not being maintained.

Eliza Jackson, the neighbour, said the young couple seemed unhappy. Frequently she had lent money to the complainant in order the she could go home to her mother for a meal On 14th December she noticed there was only a small amount of butter in the house. She was of opinion that the husband had not provided for the girl,

On behalf of defendant. Mr. Winter said up to the 9th of this month Willetts had given his wife all his money. The wife, however, had got into debt with a tradesman and so defendant decided to purchase the food and hand over the balance to his wile. Complainant had refused to have the balance and since then had received the whole 25s. 3d.

Defendant said he would not live with his wife any more

An order for the payment of 25s. a week was made.

Arising out of the same case, William A. Willetts and Arthur Willetts of Dartield, were charged witn assaulting Phyllis Willetts and a cross summons was taken out by Annie Willets of Darfield, against Eleanor Thomas of Wombwell, and Phyllis Willetts.

Mrs H Smith, on behalf of Elena Thomas and Phyllis Willetts, said Mrs Willetts when see her husband but he had gone to Barnsley with his mother. The girl was walking with her mother in Darfield, when they noticed Annie Willets, William and Arthur Willetts, coming from a bus. To Annie Willets (the boy’s mother), the girl said (What kind of game is your son playing; why doesn’t he come home?” The mother push the girl aside and when the girl went to retaliate, Arthur Willets struck her in the eye and the husband ate her in the side. The girl fainted and had to receive this medical attention.

On behalf of the other parties Mr Winter said the wife had struck Annie Willets without provocation and the two men had merely sided for the girl.

All the charges were dismissed.