A MIDLANDS judge was clearly guilty of gross male chauvinism with the glaring leniency of a sentence he imposed at Worcester during this week exactly a century ago.

The Journal of 1902 commented: "Husbands with hasty tempers will welcome the arrival of Mr Justice Jelf on our Assize Circuit. Making his first appearance locally, the new Judge tried one William Holmes who was charged with the manslaughter of his wife.

"It appeared from the evidence that Holmes, after the manner of some husbands, was not prompt in coming home with his wages and, on the evening of a recent pay day, his wife went to meet him.

"They met and the husband handed over some money but Mrs Holmes expressed wrath and jealously somewhat vigorously, and he knocked her down. Her head coming in contact with a stone, she sustained fatal injuries.

"Holmes pleaded guilty on the charge of manslaughter and was sent to jail for a fortnight, without hard labour.

''The leniency of the learned Judge will probably lead to a good many domestic arguments in homes more or less happy."