Mercy for ‘neglected’ Malton wife who attacked husband with rolling pin

A VENGEFUL wife who battered her cricket-mad 76-year-old husband with a rolling pin after claiming years of neglect has been spared jail.
Jean Crossland leaves Scarborough Magistrates' Court. Picture: Ross Parry AgencyJean Crossland leaves Scarborough Magistrates' Court. Picture: Ross Parry Agency
Jean Crossland leaves Scarborough Magistrates' Court. Picture: Ross Parry Agency

Jean Crossland, also 76, was waiting with the implement to make her six-foot tall husband John’s life hell when he returned to their Malton home for his supper.

After her sixteen stone husband went to bed, she slapped the end of her weapon with her palm, before moving in to take her revenge.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

She was furious at being ignored by her spouse of more than 50 years when she was looking to spending more time with him during their twilight years.

She finally snapped after the former parish councillor kept her waiting for two hours in their car at Morrison’s car park during an appointment with his lawyer.

She swiped his glasses off his face and tried to grab the gearstick as they drove home to the bungalow they shared in Carr Lane, East Heslerton.

Mr Crossland went to police to complain about what had happened in the car, but was told it was a civil matter.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

When he arrived home for supper, he found his wife waiting “in a rather foul mood” - rolling pin in hand.

She started hurling insults at him after their meal, and came after him as he lay in bed.

Mr Crossland told a court his wife slapped the pin with her palm - then started whacking him around the ankles. He continued: “I felt very intimidated.

“She insulted me, calling me various colours - yellow being the main one. She also called me ‘little mouse’ and said ‘you’re as bad as your father’.”

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The next day, the wife acted as though nothing had happened and asked her husband to peel some spuds, Scarborough magistrates heard.

But the following day, she lost her temper again and volleyed punches at Mr Crossland’s head and body, giving him a black eye.

Mr Crossland, who is still a prominent figure in Ryedale’s cricketing and sporting circles, called police who came to the bungalow and arrested Mrs Crossland.

She faced a six month prison sentence over the assaults but magistrates agreed with probation workers that the case was suitable for community punishment.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

During a previous trial, Crossland accused her husband of causing the injuries himself following a history of domestic abuse - a claim he strongly denied.

She said that she had hoped to spend more time with her husband after he retired from his job as a cricket groundsman 12 years ago, but he “had not been around too much”, leaving her “a bit angered”.

Mr Crossland described their marriage as “reasonable” until recent years, and claimed he had taken on a “carer role” since his retirement.

A doctor said that while Mrs Crossland was in ‘poor health’, she was not suffering from dementia as had been suspected.

“Her behaviour became very erratic,’ Mr Crossland said.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“Recently it became very physical and I was getting quite a lot of physical abuse.”

Mrs Crossland denied two counts of assault by beating and £30 criminal damage to her husband’s mobile phone - but was convicted at a previous hearing.

She maintained she always kept a rolling pin by her side in case they were burgled.

But her husband said he had only seen the rolling pin when she was baking.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

She was made the subject of a 20 day rehabilitation act requirement, meaning working with the probation service, as part of 12 month community order.

She was also ordered to pay £620 costs £60 surcharge. There was no order for compensation “due to the family relationship,” the Bench ruled.

She is still living at the marital address but will be required to leave soon.

The bench read the reports on the case and agreed to go along with the recommendations of the probation service.