SERIOUS CHABGE OF ASSAULT.

Timaru Herald, Volume XLII, Issue 3447, 15 October 1885, Page 3

SERIOUS CHABGE OF ASSAULT.

(By Telegraph.) WELLIKOTOy, Oct. 14. At the Resident Magistrate's Court to-day Wm. Jenkins and wife were charged with having assaulted a girl named Louisa Cornea. The girl was of weak mind, ond was servant with the Jenkins. Medical evidence showed that the girl, who is about 19 years of age, was suffering from bruises on the shoulders and back, extensive bruises on the fore and upper arm , also on both hips and the right buttock, the lower part of tho spine and on the bridge of the nose. The marks on the back, etc., appeared to have been inflicted with a stick. The skin was not broken except on tho bridge of the noso. Some injuries might possibly have been the result of kicks, but the marks on the back, could not, m the opinion of the medical men, have been occasioned by a fall. Complainant stated she had continually been beaten by the defendants. She subsequently ran away. The Matron of the Home for Friendless Women stated that when the girl wus brought to the Home she was m a filthy state, and her linen fell from her body, it was so dirty and rotten. The girl's back and body were braised all over, and covered with black and blue marks. She complained very much of poms m her head. The evidence for the defence was a total denial of the assault, and that tho bruises had been caused by the girl falling don-nstairs. Jenkins was discharged, but tho Magistrate held that the wifo was responsible for some of the bruises, and fined her 20s, and 30s costs.