Life with bigamist became a hell of lies and mistrust

When Liz (not her real name) married in 1993, it was meant to be forever.

"I didn't get married to him to get divorced. I took my vows seriously."

But in the end the lies overwhelmed Liz and their two children.

Liz has spoken for the first time about life with her estranged husband, bigamist John Leslie Whiting.

The former Ashburton man was convicted in the Timaru District Court this week on charges of making a false statement - notice of intent to marriage stating he had never been married - in Oamaru on June 26, 2003, and bigamy on June 28, 2003.

Crown prosecutor Craig O'Connor told the court Whiting obtained dissolution of marriage forms from the Ashburton court in June 2002 and three months later filled one out, including Liz's details, although he never posted it.

In 2003 his new partner asked if he was divorced from his first wife. He lied and told her he was.

To convince her, he filled out the rest of the forms he had picked up in 2002, added his former wife's signature and that of the court registrar and dated the forms before posting them to himself.

In June 2003 he visited Oamaru District Court to fill out forms in preparation for marrying his new partner. He swore he had never married before.

Whiting was remanded for sentencing to January 27.

Liz believes Whiting probably did what he did because when he asked her for a divorce, she refused until he paid her money he owed.

"Looking back I should have just signed the papers and told him to go. But I was only asking for the money to help support the kids. I was sick of all the lies and the mistrust. I just wanted to be able to get on with it," she said.

She has.

"I have finally met someone who loves me and loves the kids and is truthful and honest."

- NZPA