A SERIOUS CHARGE

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2847, 11 August 1916, Page 9

A SERIOUS CHARGE

The Chief Justice (Sir Robert Stout) presided at the Siipreme Court yesterday.

Edward Foreman was charged that on June 24 he did indecently assault a boy. Mr, V. It. Meredith, of tho Crown Law Office, appeared for the prosecution, and Mr. 'J'. M. Wilford defended accused, who pleaded not guilty. Mr. A. I'. Deeple was foreman of the jury. The case was heard in camcra. The case l'or the Crown was on lines of tho evidence given in the Magistrate's Court.

For the defence, Mr. Wilford called Miss Harvey, who stated that accused was a frequent visitor at her parents' residence in Nairn Street, and_ was at their home on the day ill question with another friend, a Mr. Rowland, and the two stayed overnight, the accused leaving before breakfast to go to where he was hoarding in Thorndon Quay. The other visitor stayed to breakfast. Accused was also placed, in the witness box, and gave evidence on his own behalf, and was subjected to a very close cross-examination.

James Alexander Rowland remembered the night in question. He met Miss Harvey at Zaks. Accused was there. All three went up to tho Harveys' place in Nairn Street. Witness and accused* stayed in the house all night, and slept in the same room. He saw accused; in the room when he awoke in the morning. Ernest Robinson, son-in-law of the Harveys, said he was at the house on the evening in question, and was there when accused, Rowland, and Miss Harvey came in. He left for his home, which is near the Harveys', Just before 1 o'clock on the Saturday morning. Rowland and the accused were in the house then,' and he knew they were going to sleep in the house. Aubrey Cecil Harvey said that acoused was a frequent visitor at. his house, and was there on the evening in question, and stayed the night in company with Air. Rowland. He showed the two men to the bedroom.

The jury after four hours' retirement returned and reported that they were unable to agree. On the application of Mr. Y. 11. Meredith a new trial was granted', and the accused was remanded until Monday.