An Extraordinary Story.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 5004, 11 May 1889, Page 3

An Extraordinary Story.

A sensational story of illegal detention and outrage was revealed at the Dorchester Police court recently. A young girl named Guy, of Weymouth, nearly twelve months rgo was keeping company with a cab driver of_ the same town, named Burt. From the incoherent narrative of the girl, who is at the present time in a state of mind bordeung on idiocy, it appears the was induced by Burt to go to a shed which adjoined his stable, at a village called Broadway, about two miles from Weymouth. Prisoner had given the girl a ring, and having promised her marriage she appeared to be a willing party so far as that occasion was concerned. She remained in the shed, however, day after day, and prisoner prevented her escape by padlocking the door. For a lime, she made no serious complaints of his treatment, but her enforced imprisonment continued so long that gradually she became very weak, and eventually, as it appears, almost lost her senses. Bnitdid not neglect her as far as her food was concerned, hut provided her with no bed. Ihe poor girl, too, had no change of clothing, and was compelled to remain in a state of nakedness when her single under garment was washed, Burt visited her every morning when he conveyed to her the common necessaries of life, but for tho greater part of her long imprisonment she remained in a state of darkness day and night, quite alone, and utterly neglected. The period of her detention can only bo conjectured, as during tho past few months the girl was unable to take note of time. Last week, however, she succeeded in wrenching off the staple of the door, and escaped to the house of a neighbouring gentleman. She was then in a terrible state of dirt and wretchedness, almost blind by the unaccustomed darkness, and in a condition of emaciation and mental weakness which told only too plainly of the treatment to which she had been subjected. Guy’s home is known to be wretched, her father being much addicted to drink. She has been missing from Weymou'h for nearly 12 months, it being generally believed that she had gone to London. A medical certificate was put in to the effect that the girl was unable to give evidence, and the prisoner Burt was remanded. On leasing the court he was surrounded by a crowd ot persons, who expressed their indignation freely.