ALLEGED ILLEGAL OPERATION

Lyttelton Times, Volume CVI, Issue 12553, 15 July 1901, Page 3

ALLEGED ILLEGAL OPERATION

At the Magistrate’s Court on Saturday morning, before Mr H. W. Bishop, S.M., Waiter Brewer was charged with having, on or about June 14, at King Street, Sydenham, with intent to procure a miscarriage of one Bertha Margaret Light, unlawfully used a. certain instrument on the said Bertha Margaret Light. Mr Cassidy- appeared for the accused. Inspector Ellison said that the accused had' only been arrested the night before, upon the statement of 'the young woman. The ratter was now in the Hospital. He produced a certificate showing that she was in a rather precarious condition, and asked that her evidence might be taken at the Hospital. Mr Bishop adjourned the proceedings until 11.30‘at the Hospital. Nellie Maud Brewer was charged with having committed a similar offence on June 18. The Inspector made a similar application for an adjournment, which was granted. Mr Joynt appeared for this accused. . ■ At the Hospital, the girl Bertha Margaret Light had been placed in a separate room, and the case of the male accused uas first taken. The charge was read over, and then the girl’s evidence taken. She stated that she lived in Nursery Road. Linwood, and was aged sixteen. She was pregnant about six months. She recognised Brewer. HtN was staying with his sister-in-law, near the Sandridge Hotel, in Sydenham. She went to the house on Saturday night, six weeks a.go, about 6.30 o'clock, to be “put right.” She knew at the time what she went, for. The accused met her at the corner, and thev .went into the house. Brewer first gave her a drink of whisky, and then took her into a bedroom and used certain instruments. Detective Chrystall, who made the arrests on Friday, instruments, which witness said that she recognised as the ones used. Accused told, her that he did not think that there would be any effect, and told her o call again on the following Wednesday. She suffered a little pain, but not much. Afterwards she finished, the w hiskj and went home. This was the only occasion on which Brewer did anything to her. She had known Brewer for years, but could nob recognise him for certain, on account of he and his brother being so much alike. If the accused stayed with his sister-in-law, and belonged to the cadets, be was the one who performed the operation; Mr Cassidy said he had no questions to The evidence was read over to the witness, and she signed it.. Inspector Ellison then asked that the accusedTnight bo remanded for a week. Mr Bishop .granted the remand, refusing bail. Mrs Brewer, sister-in-law of tne first accused, was then brought in and charged. The girl gave evidence on the same lines as before. She stated that about a month ago last Wednesday, she went to Brewer’s house a second time by berseit about 11 o’clock in the morning. She found Mrs Brewer there, and asked her if_ she knew what She had come for. She said she did, and told her to come in. Sirs Brewer used the same instruments as before, those produced. She felt considerably more pain than on the first occasion. She had a drink again, and was told if she was not bad within three days, to call again. She went on a Friday or a Tuesday, but nothing was done. Mrs Brewer said she would not nse the instruments again. She did not go any more, and had not seen Mi'i3 Brewer since. Since then witness had been feeling very unwell, shaken and sick.

The girl seemed to be in some pain at the end of her examination, and Mr Joynt asked no questions. The evidence was read over, and the girl signed it. ■The second accused was then also remanded for a week.

Mr joynt asked' that the Samaritan Home might be allowed to take charge of Mrs Brewer for the week, but Mr Bishop said he did not like to grant this application until it was certain bow the girl was going to progress. Inquiries at the Hospital yesterday elicited the fact that Miss Light was improving, and that she is now practically out of danger.