MAGISTRATE'S COURT

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2448, 29 April 1915, Page 9

MAGISTRATE'S COURT

CHARGE OF ASSAULT PROSECUTION PAILS Tho sequel to an escapade of two little girls from the Normal Sohool on April 10 last, when they hired a boat and were not heard of again until they were discovered at the Lyall Bay tearooms, occurred in the Magistrate's Court yesterday afternoon, before Mr. W. G. Riddell, S.M., when a young man, named George Henry Hampson, was charged with assaulting each of the girls, whose ages were given as cloven and ten years respectively. The accused was defended by Mr. H. F. O'Leary, and pleaded not guilty to both charges.

Tho evidence of the two little fjjirls was that about midday on the Friday in question they hired a. boat, and had a _ short cruise with some young boy friends about their own age. It was when they returned from this trip that they alleged accused had assaulted them near the Thorndon railway station. From there they had gone to Courtenay Place, and taken, a car out to Lyall Bayi and at the tea-rooms had asked for a bed, presumably with the intention of putting up there for the night. The police had' been communicated with, however, and the children returned to their anxious parents. Evidence was given by Detective Dempsey, who made the arrest, that accused had denied interfering with the two little girls, but said that he had seen them playing on the railway lines, and as there was a danger of their being run over, warned them to go away. Detective Dempsey said ho had made inquiries as to accused's character, and had found it to be very good. Accused gave corroborative evidence to this in the witness-bos. The Magistrate decided thati there was not sufficient evidence to convict accused, and accordingly dismissed the informations.

OTHER CASES. A serious charge was preferred against William Jones in respect to a boy of six years. Mr. P.'W. Jackson appeared on behalf of accused, who pleaded not guilty to the charge, ana was committed to the Supreme Court for trial. Bail was allowed in £50. For drunkenness, Janet Gilbertsdn was fined. 10s., in default forty-eight hours' imprisonment, and Charles Baker fined 205., in default three days' imprisonment. James Patrick O'Brien, who was found helplessly drunk at- Paekakariki, was fined 55., in default twenty-four hours' imprisonment.