Hi Matthew
I had a look at the newspaper report on Joshua, well I never, he doesn't appear to have been sentenced to any prison time but I wonder if the couple did separate after this incident.
He is single & in Salford Workhouse in the last census so they certainly split sometime. His age is slightly out being born c1844 but Harpenden seems correct. Looking at Free BMD his death looks to be registered Sept qtr 1915 Prestwich.
Do you have Charlotte's marriage cert to Alfred, I wonder if she is a "widow" on it, I can't see a divorce for her & Joshua so it looks like she may have been telling porkies.
Their daughter, Alice Martha Charlotte baptised 30 Jan 1880 at Harpenden is a servant on the 1891 in the household of George Holderness at St Peters Street, St Peters, St Albans. On March 1st 1909 she marries Robert Benjamin Simmons in Paddington, naming her father as Joshua a Bricklayer.
Son George aged 12 & born Harpenden, is in Watford Union Workhouse in 1891 but there is also a Henry Wheeler with him, aged 9 & born Middlesex, wonder if he is another son or just a coincidence that they are together.
In 1901 George appears to be in the Royal Navy & stationed at Sheerness.
At the mo Joshua & Charlotte are eluding me after 1881 until 1911 but I shall keep digging. I have a feeling Charlotte could well be living under a different name. A strange coincidence that she should marry another Wheeler who at present doesn't seem to be connected to Joshua as Alfred was born Surrey, well according to the census any way.
Maddie