The Alleged Outrage at Newtown.

Auckland Star, Volume XVIII, Issue 25, 31 January 1887, Page 4

The Alleged Outrage at Newtown.

All the Prisoners Dismissed,

At the Newtown Court, Charles Smith, alias " Border" S:nilb, James Watson, alias "Jemmy the blacksmith," James Kelly, Timothy Murphy, alias George Wynbrow, John Moff-.it, and Henry Murphy (on remand) were charged with criminally asFaultiojr Grace Portora on December 29 last. Senior-Constables Parkinson aud Joyce deposed to the arrest of the prisoners, assisted by Constables Skinner aud Mannell. Several of the defendants declared themselves innocent of the charge. Constable Parkinson, iv reply to Mr Hill, said that from what he had heard and inquiries made the complainant was not of good repute, and Constable Joyce stuted that the girl had admitted to him that the was the mother of a child ; and tinco the Case waa commenced be had heard damaging rumours regarding her character. The prosecutrix stated that the was 17 years old, w»a born at SineUJ ton, and came to Sydney in July ISSS, with her mother. Witness took a situation in Botany Hoad aa general servant. While there she kept company with a young man and a child was born at the Benevolent Asylum. From that place she went to the Infante' Home at Aahfield, and thence to her aunt'B in Newtowu. The child died in November last. On the (light of the alleged outrage she was at another aunt's in Ne'son-street; and, leaving there at about 10 p.m., she proceeded along King-street, and when opposite Coleman's stables " Border " Smith accosted her. She did not reply, and Smith, who was under the influence of drink, caught hold of her and pulled her towards the stables. All the prisoners and two others not present assaulted her. She threatened to scream, and Wataon threatened to choke her.

Mr T. M. Williamson submitted tho girl to a close cross-examination, which completely broke dowo tho case. After denying having been at the arables Eince tho occurrence she admitted on being pressed that she had been there, also that she kept Anderson's company several hours after and on the night of the ulieued outrage. Whilst first denying ifc,Bhe also afterwards admitted that the defendants and others were familiar with her by her consent several times, both at the stables and elsewhere after the alleged offence. In reply to a question by tho Bench it was stated that the girl had been kept at the Stanmore station and had not had any opportunity of communicating with the prl Honere, not even by her aunt. Mr Abbott, S.M, eaid that from ihe evidence given by the proeecutrix he c..uld not Eec the use of going on with the case, and it was very evident to him that the AttorneyGeneral would not file a bill in it. Mr Roberts said that the information supplied to tho police was entirely different from that elicited. The defendants were thereupon discharged,