MAGISTRATES' COURTS.

Globe, Volume VIII, Issue 1003, 12 September 1877, Page 2

MAGISTRATES' COURTS.

CHRISTCHURCH. Wednesday, September 12. (Before G. L. Mellish, Esq., R.M.) Attempt at Rape.—Samuel .Xeedham was brought up on remand under this charge. After some remarks, which could not be heard at the reporters' table, between Mr Jbyntand the Magistrate, his Worship said that he had had time to consider over the case, and had made up his mind to deal with it summarily. He did not see that the interests of justice would be prejudiced, but on the contrary that the interests of the public would be served, by the man being dealt with summarily. He did not think, if the case were sent to a jury, that the prisoner would be found guilty of the indictable offence, but that the accused would be acquitted of the charge of assault with intent. But there was no doubt that the prisoner had been guilty of a most aggravated assault upon a female, and his Worship would mark his sense of that aggravation by giving the prisoner the full penalty allowed by the law in this case. The prisoner would be sentenced to six months' imprisonment with hard labor, and be required at the end of that time to enter into recognisances for good behaviour for another six months, himself in £3OO and two sureties of £IOO each. Larceny.—Harriet Webb was charged with the larceny of 4s belonging to her employer, Mr Allen, of the Golden Age Hotel. The Bench considered the case proved. Mr Allen said that the accused had been in his service for nearly three years, and during that time she had on the whole behaved well, and had given satisfaction. The girl was sentenced to one week's imprisonment with hard labor. The Magistrate regretted having to send a young girl to gaol, but he hoped the present sentence would be a warning to her. Indecency. Helen Anderson, charged with this offence, was sentenced to twelve months' imprisonment with hard labor. His Worship remarked that the accused was without exception the worst woman in Christchurch.