THOMAS Summers, labourer, Inkberrow, was charged with assaulting his wife, Louise Summers, on November 2. He pleaded guilty.

Complainant deposed that some aggravation arose over money matters, and defendant said he would go and see what she had in her box.

Subsequently he struck her with his clenched fist, knocking her down in the bedroom, her head striking the wall.

Her husband was the worse for drink, in fact it was drink that caused all the trouble.

Witness said she had been married 25 years, and had had eight children, six of whom were alive.

The chairman (to witness): "Do you want us to send him to prison?"

Witness: " I want him to know better, and behave himself when he has had a drink."

The chairman, addressing defendant, said there was no excuse for his behaviour, and if it were not for the fact that his wife and children would be the sufferers, he would be sent to prison.

Defendant expressed his regret for the occurrence.

He was fined 2s 6d and 7s 6d costs, or seven days, and Mr Gross advised defendant to keep away from the public house.