Wanted his Freedom: Drayton Desertion Case at Havant: When William Oliver Pincent, of Southbourne, was summoned for desertion at the Havant Petty Sessions on Friday he asked his wife if she would live with him again, but she refused “because of his moral ways.” The complainant, Muriel Harriett Pretoria Pincent, of Nelson Terrace, Drayton, who was represented by Mr. Hobson Thomas, said she married the defendant in October 1922, when he was a corporal in the Royal Air Force, and for about a year they lived fairly happily together. Later, however, he wanted his freedom. In June of 1923 a child was born. A year afterwards he left the R.A.F. and he was now employed by the Southbourne Ice Company. He left the witness sometime in October last, saying that he wanted his freedom; he did not like married life, and he could not afford to keep a wife. Since that time, he had not given her any maintenance, but he had paid 10s a week for the child. He had never made a home for her, and he gave no other reasons for leaving her. Asked by the defendant if she would live with him again, the complainant said she would not, because of his morals. Albert Nevatt, brother of the complainant, stated that the defendant told him he was “fed up ” with married life and wanted to be free. Defendant said he met his wife a few months ago, when she said she wanted her freedom. He had asked her to forget the past and start afresh, and recently he had paid her £3 arrears of maintenance for the child. He was earning £2 per week and was prepared to make her a home. In cross-examination he said he did not want his freedom now. It was not true that he had been out with other women. He was ordered to pay £1 weekly for the maintenance of his wife and child, and £1 1s costs.
Transcribed in whole or part from scanned originals: Presented with or without modified text and punctuation. For absolute accuracy refer to the original newspapers. Source: The British Newspaper Archive.
Referenced
GRO0103 Bovey Tracey: Brenda Muriel Pinsent: 1923 – xxxx
GRO0696 Bovey Tracey: Muriel Harriet Pretoria Pinsent: 1901 – 1961
GRO0909 Bovey Tracey: William Oliver Bristow Pinsent: 1900 – 1951