J.P. COURT, WAIPAWA.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 3232, 8 November 1881, Page 2

J.P. COURT, WAIPAWA.

On Monday, 7th instant, Edmund Ryan, a laborer, was charged before Messrs Hardin? and Rathbone, J.P.'p, that on the 29th October last, at Patangata, he did unlawfully and indecently assault Sarah Pearson by clasping her in his arras in aa indecent manner. The prosecution was conducted by the police, and Mr Guy appealed for the defendant. Sarah Pearson deposed she was the ; wife of John Pearson, a bootmaker residing at Patangata. On the 26th October she saw the prisoner pass the doorway of her house between 11 and 12 o'clock. He came back after her husband, had left, about 3 o'clock in the afternoon. He asked where her husband had gone to. She told him to Te Apiti. He said he wanted to get measured for some slippers. She. asked him why he did not say so before her husband had gone away.' He then said he wanted a bit of leather for his "shears. She~ got hinf a piece. He sat down, and she went into the kitchen and left him. He then commenced talking to her, and, coming into the kilchen, looked at some portraits, and asked her if she had any sisters like herself. She told him she did not want any such discourse, and ordered him away. (By order of the bench the Court was cleared.) She then stated that, after offering to fetch some drink, which she declined, he proceeded to use indecent language, and said he meant to sleep with her that night. He then proceeded to acts of indecency too gross for publication. She got away and went outside the house, and saw a man named Cheere coming from the hotel. She asked Cheere to take the prisoner away. He did so, and she then went to Mrs Ashtoa at the hotel aud complained to her of the prisoner's conduct. The prisoner follpwed her into the store adjoining the ■ hotel. After some conversation with Mrs Asbton she returned to her house, leaving the prisoner at the hotel. She watched the prisoner go away, and then returned to the hotel and told Mrs Ashton what had occurred. She then went back to her house to get somo money she had left on a box. She found the prisoner sitting in the shop. She ordered him out. He said he would not go. She then went into the kitchen, and before she could get away he came and bounded on her and proceeded to act in a nasty manner. She got away and went outside the house, and saw a man named Johnson Boyle coming along. She complained to him, and asked him to saddle her horse and take her away. He spoke to the prisoner, who went way, and she did not see him any more that day. Johiason Boyle deposed he was at Patangata on the 29th October about 3.30 p.m. Mrs Pearson complaiued to him of the prisoner's conduct. She did not appear excited. The prisoner was not thero then.

Denis Brosnaham, constable A.C., deposed he arrested the prisoner on the 3rd instant. The prisoner said he knew nothing about the charge. The distance from the house to tbe hotel was about one hundred yards. Anybody could be heard if they called loud enough. The usual caution was then read to the prisoner, who reserved his defence. John 11. Brown deposed he was Working for Mr ABhton at Patangata, opposite Mrs Pearson house, on the 29th October. The house is about sixty yards from the hotel. He saw the prisoner going towards the house three or four timen. About 4 o'clock he saw him coming out of tbe house. He could have heard screams at double the distance, but did Dot hear any .disturbance at all. He saw

prisoner and Mrs Pearson talking quietly together over the gate. Mrs Pearson did not say anything to him about the complaint. ... :-.-. - The case occupied about five houn*, and the whole evidence was very exhaustive. The prisoner was committed for trial at the next sitting of the District Court at Napier.