ALLEGED CRIMINAL ASSAULT.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 13926, 11 June 1907, Page 5

ALLEGED CRIMINAL ASSAULT.

VERDICT OF ACQUITTAL

(Pjee Uhitbd Pubsb Association.) AUCKLAND, June 10. Most Claude Sheppard, a well-dressed youth, ;ig«l 16, pleaded "Not piilty" at tin: Oriiiiinal Court, before Mr Juetico Denmstoii, to a charge of committing a criminal assault upon a girl over tho age of 16 The ovidence was that, the girl, whose agu ia 19, was an employee of a typist having an cflico in a block 'of Queen street buildiiigii, and accused a elork in an insurance offico on the ground floor. Accused occasionally saw the girl, and during a conversation in a, passage ho playfully took a ring off her finger. Two or Ihreo days later he ascertained wliat time she left the office, and was waiting for her between S and 6 o'clock, when lie told her sho could havo tho ring back if she came into tho office. Taking hor into an inner room he locked t.bo door and committed tho offence.

Mt 'fate said that tho facts were admitted, the only question being whether the girl gavo her consent.

The principal witness, iross-oxamincd, said no offence had ever been previously committed upon hor. ; When the offence had been committed In , Sheppard another youth came in and expressed his intention of interfering with her, but ho desisted when sho oried out.

Dγ Lewis said thero were no marks of violence. If sho had reaisfcd ho would have expected to find some marks.

His Honor referred in strong terms to tho frequency of iflxual crime, and declared an extremely sound physical correction would be the way to punish accused. However, (hey were not trying him for improper conduct, but for a, serious criminal offence.

A vordict of acquittal was returned by the jury, who requested the foreman to state that they regretted the accused could not bo punished lor his blackguardly conduct.

His Honor: I quite agree with that, Accused was discharged.