Public Assistance Act, 1939

Penalty for desertion of wife or child.

83.—(1) Whenever a person deserts or wilfully neglects to maintain his wife or a child whom he is liable under this Act to maintain and in consequence of such desertion or neglect such wife or child becomes eligible for general assistance, such person shall be guilty of an offence under this section and shall be liable on summary conviction thereof to imprisonment for a term not exceeding six months.

(2) Sub-section (1) of section 4 of the Criminal Justice (Evidence) Act, 1924 (No. 37 of 1924), shall apply and have effect in relation to persons charged with an offence under this section as if this section were mentioned in the Schedule to that Act.