COURTS AND OFFENCES.

Wanganui Herald, Volume XXXXI, Issue 12190, 11 June 1907, Page 5

COURTS AND OFFENCES.

Charge of Oriminal Assault.

» (Per United Press Association.) AUCKLAND, June 10. I Ernest Claude Sheppard, a well-dressed youth, aged 1(5, pleaded not guilty at the Criminal Court before Mr Justice Denniston to a charge ot committing a criminal assault upon a gill over the age of sixteeen. The evidence was that the girl, whoso age is 19, was an employee of a typist having an office in a block of Queen Street \mil<hng», and the accused a clerk in an insurance office on the ground floor. Accused occasionally saw the girl, and during a conversation in a passage he playfully took a ring off her tinger. Two or three days later he ascertained what time ehe left the office and was waiting tor her between 5 and 6 o'clock, when he told her she could have the ring back if she came into the office. Taking her into an inner room he locked the door and committed the offence against her will. Mr Tole .said that the facts were admitted, the only question being whether the girl gave her consent. The principal witness, cross-examined, said no offence had ever been previously committed upon her. When the offence had been committed by Sheppard another youth came in and expressed his intention of interfering with her, but he desisted when she cried out. Dr Lewis said there were no marks of violence. If she had reeistcd he would have expected to find some marks. His Honour referred in strong terms to the frequency of sexual crime, and declared an extremely sound physical correction would be the way to punish the accused. However, they were not trying him for improper conduct, but for a serious criminal offence. A verdict of acquittal was returned by the jury, who i-e-quested the foreman to state they regret>ed the accused could not be punished for blackguardly conduct. Hie Honor: I quite agree with that. The accused was discharged.

WELLINGTON, June 10.

Af. the Magistrate's Court, to-day, Philip Brewster was charged with keeping a common gaming lioiwe, and Chas. Dunn with assisting in the conduct of the place.