POLICE COURT.—This Day.

Auckland Star, Volume IV, Issue 988, 19 March 1873, Page 3

POLICE COURT.—This Day.

(Before Thomas BeckMm, Esq., R.M.) ' Drunkenness. Henry Bennett, John Hughes, Bridget Mortis, John Daniels, and Peter Cabrera were severally charged with being drunk last night, and dealt with in the usual manner, except Hughes, who was sentenced to seven days' imprisonment with hard labour, this being his third offence. VAGRANCY. Walter Pell was charged under the ! Vagrancy Act of 1869 with being found on the premises of Messrs Holdship & Co. without any visible means of sttpport on the i9th instant. , Three months' imprisonment with hard labour, ABUSIVE LANGUAGE AND ASSAULT. James Caradus, jun., a printer, appeared in answer to two charges—the first with | using insulting and abusive language, and the second with assaulting Mr G. M. Main, one of the overseers in the Herald office. Mr Thorite appeared for the prosecution, and stated that the defendant had been employed in the Herald office, and that Mr Main had been ordered to dismiss him for misconduct. In carrying out the above instructions these offences were committed. The defendanb was now desirous of making a full apology, and to express his regret for what hadjoccufred, and wouldjpay all expenses consequent thereon. That being so, he (Mr Thome) was instructed not to press the charges, which were accordingly withdrawn. CRIMINAL ASSAULT. Robert Stinson, an old man, was charged with committing a rape on an idiot child named R,osanna McArthur, on the I.4th instant. Mr Joy appealed for the prosecution, and Mr Thorne for the prisoner. Dr. Mark E. B. Nicholson stated that from his own knowledge the child had been an idiot from her birth, and from an original defective condition of the brain. She was wholly incapable of holding conversation, or of understanding right from wrong. He had examined the child on the day of the assault, and again this morning, and stated the results. Margt. McArthur, wife of Peter McArthur, was examined, and said she lived in Chancerystreet, and that on the day in question she was in her house with her daughter. The prisoner came to her house on the previous night as a lodger. Her daughter waa born in April, 1860. She has never been right in her mind from the period of her birth. On Friday, the 14th instant, witness went into her kitchen at the back of her house, about three o'clock in the afternoon, when she dis covered the prisoner and her child behind the kitchen door upon a blanket. * *_ * Witness struck the accused on the head with a can, and screamed out, when two men came running to ascertain the cause of her screaming. She saw the prisoner in the act of committing the offence. Laurence Giveny, Labourer, said he was lodging at Me Arthur's on the 14th instant. He was eating his dinner when Mrs McArthur asked him if he would have a cup of tea, and she went to the kitchen for the purpose of getting him one. He heard her scream, and ran out immediately, and from what he saw he pitched the prisoner into the yard and afterwards gave him into custody. Sergeant-Major Pardy deposed to taking the prisoner into custody at 3 p.m. on the 14th, when he said he was sorry he went to M'Arthur's to get into such trouble. Witness had known the child as an idiot for three years ; he went to Me Arthur's, and sent for Dr. Nicholson at once, who arrived within a puarter of an hour and examined the child. The depositions were read over, and the prisoner, who reserved his defence, was fully committed for trial at the next criminal sittings at the Supreme Court. LITTLE JAPHET. D. Bullen was charged by Eliza Lestrange with refusing to support an illegitimate child, fourteen months old. Mr. Joy, for the defence, pleaded not guilty. Mr. Bennett stated that the complainant was a woman of bad character. Eliza Lestrange, Sarah Welsh, and Bridget Lestrange were examined. His Worship said that the coroborative testimony was not sufficient to make an order upon the defendant, and he must dismiss the case, but that would not prevent the case from being brought forward at another time. SABAH CARROLL. Sarah Carroll was charged with calling Mary Knox strange names; and John Lestrange was charged with retaliating upon Sarah Carroll. These charges were dismissed on the parties promising not to fall out in future. This was aW the business.