A SIMOOM OF SIN.

NZ Truth, Issue 59, 4 August 1906, Page 4

A SIMOOM OF SIN.

ALLEGED BESTIAL AND UNNATURAL OFFENCES.

A Wife's Peculiar Accusation.

A Lower Hutt Horror.

Some sickening and shocking tales were unfolded at the Wellington S.M.s Court yesterday, (Friday) where and when were set down for hearing a number of serious charges against males, old and young. One case, which, owing to the extraordinary pressure of business, was remanded till next Friday, was one where a middle-aged man named Patrick O'Connor, alias Alexander King, alias Con O'Brien, was charged with having, at Miramar, on July 21, indecently assaulted one Veronica James aged 4 years. The next case was that of a smallsized individual named Joseph Brough, who, attired m lime-marked working clothes, was charged with having, on July 17, at Wellington, committed an unnatural OFFENCE ON HIS WIFE, Alice Brough, a woman of middle-age. These parties have been' married since 1897 and have been lately residing at Frankfort-terrace. The Court was cleared during the hearing of the case. Brough 's alleged unnatural behavior had been, according to the wife, going on from February last to the date m the information. She had complained of his conduct to Dr. Cameron, who had been attending her for some female complaint. Dr. Cameron had' operated on her 1 and her husband's conduct towards her had nullified the good effect of the' operation. She had over and over, again protested against Brough 's behavior towards her ; she had not offered strenuous resistance to him because she was afraid he would strike her. She also told him of what the doctor had' said, but he had only laughed at her and persisted m his, cruel and unmanly conduct. Subsequently she made a complaint to the police, ' which led to his arrest. Brough denied the truth of the charge brought against him, and said he had always treated her as his wire.' In Court Brough 's attitude was somewhat strange. He continued m his .;■ DENIAL OF THE CHARGE and made some accusations against his wife m connection with some other men. This was, he said, over twelve months ago. Dr. McArthur, S.M., told Brough that that was a matter which he might mention m the Supreme Court. Brough said he reserved his defence and pleaded not guilty. He was committed for trial to .the forthcoming sittings of. the Criminal Court. Bail was rerused him. The next case of a shocking and depraved nature came from Lowe* Hutt. The accused is a lad of between 15 and 16 years, named Joseph Bradley, and is employed at Higott's racing stables. The charge preferred against him was that of having, on July 22, INDECENTLY ASSAULTED A MALE person named Malcolm Mason, a little chap of tender years. Bradley was defended by Mr WLlford,. Earlier jn the week the charge against the accused was one of a more serious nature, but, since the detectives engaged m the case had made enquiries, the minor and less serious charge had been preferred. A considerable quantity of evidence was given against the accused, which narrowed down is to the effect that sometime after one p.m. on the date mentioned, the little fellow Mason, son of Dr. Mason, the Government Health- Officer, was allowed to wander away from his father near the the Pipe Bridge. The father was at the time ; playing golf. The boy wandered near the stables and fell m, with the accused, who dealt indecently" with , him and desisted only when someone called out to him to perform some duty or other. When the little chap rejoined his father he looked frightened but did not make any complaint till the night-time. Next day the little chap identified the acccused , and he -was arrested. The accused, when m the Wellington gaol, denied the charge, and said that a number of boys at the staples could prove that he was not out of their sight. Detective Connolly had seen the boy when he was m the Wellington gaol, and Mr Wilford submitted Connollr to a severe crossexamination as to the right of any detective to interrogate an accused person. Connolly maintained that what he did was m the interests of the accused and m THE INTERESTS OF JUSTICE. Mr Wiliord said he knew too well the methods of the detectives and considered they had no right to interfere. V'lVlore than that," said Mr Wilford, "a prisoner asked for me this 'morning.- and .some constable ran> up another solicitor. The same .tiling was done last week." A number of witnesses from Higott's place did hot answer to their sunimonses, and the Magistrate was almost- on the point of issuing warrants for their arrests. Mr Wilford, however, explained that Higott could not leave his stables and horses unattended. Dr. McArthur gave Higott a severe caution, and pointed out that he was liable to two years 1 imprisonment for interfering with the course of Justice. Eventually the case was adjourned till 7.30 p.m. Whsn the court resumed, the witnesses, three m number, gave their evidence. It was to the effect that the accused was never out of their sight more than five minutes right up till 2.30 p.m. The accused reserved his defence and pleaded not guilty and was committed to take his trial at the Criminal Court. Bail was allowed, self m £50 and two sureties of £50 each.