A SALVATIONIST IN COURT.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 7177, 30 May 1891, Page 2

A SALVATIONIST IN COURT.

_» Frederick Alfred Balfour, aged thirtyeight, a well-educated man, described as a painter, was brought up on remand at the Edmonton petty sessions, charged with criminally assaulting his own daughter, Edith, a girl fifteen years of age, at his house, 17, Warberry road, Wood Green, while her mother was away from home on Jan. 6 last. The case created great excitement owing to the prisoner and his wife being prominent Salvationist leaders. Mr Gill, barrister, instructed by Mr Maw, at the instance of the National Vigilance Association, prosecuted. Mr Coote and Mr Bartlett also watched the case on tbe part of the Society. DetectiveSergeant Nutkin, V Division, watched the case on the part of the Commissioners of Police ; and Mr John Avory, solicitor, defended the prisoner. Edith Balfour, fifteen, a good-looking, roßy-complexioned, intelligent girl, said she resided with her father and mother, and younger brothers. Her father and mother were connected with the Salvation army ; and they had a young girl named Nelly Lloyd, who lodged at their house, and attended tbe Army meetings. On the night of Jan. 5 last her father came home very ill, and complained of feeling very cold. He had a fit, and when it was over she and Nelly got him into bed. Witness then proceeded to tell a truly awful story of the circumstances under which the assault was committed. After it had come to the knowledge of the Vigilance Com- j mittee she was examined by Dr Hock ings, the divisional surgeon of police, and made a statement to Detective Inspector Miller. When her father heard that, he ran away from home, and the police could not get any trace of him. He was arrested at Manchester about the 18th of last month, and brought back to London. The girl was severely cross-examined, but she adhered to her statement, and denied that she had ever been intimate with anyone else. Nelly Lloyd and Dr Hockinjrs gave evidence, and the prisoner was committed for trial on a charge under the Criminal Law Amendment Act. The prisoner's history is said to be of a romantic character, he being descended from an aristocratic family. He was brought up in Ireland, and was made a ward in Chancery. On coming of age he met with his wife in the north of London, and they were married about seventeen years ago, and have lived in the district nearly ever Bince. Some time after his marriage he came into possession of property, with which he and his wife commenced businees; but they lost their money, and Balfour then became in turns a painter, cabdriver, tram conductor, and followed employments to try and earn a living. When a contingent of Salvationists reached Wood Green Mrs Balfour joined the Army, and was subsequently followed by her husband.