DASTARDLY ASSAULT CASE.

Oamaru Mail, Volume I, Issue 60, 30 June 1876, Page 2

DASTARDLY ASSAULT CASE.

An arrest was made in town late last night which reflects the highest credit on Sub-Inspector M'Cluskey and those officers who acted under his direction. It appears that about seven o'clock yesterday evening Miss Sophia Ferens was wending her way homewards, after her usual day's duties had been performed, and when near Sir. Peattie's house on the Main North Road, she was violently assaulted by a person named Thomas Godfrey. The scoundrel tied a pocket-handkerchief round the young lady's mouth, and when she attempted to raise an alarm, he told her he would murder her if she did not keep quiet*.' Miss Fei'ens was then dragged by her assailant . some distance towards the neighbouring, creek, and it would seem that on approaching the latter place the. man ~ stumbled, and fell, winch circumstance fortunately had the effect of loosing' his hold upon Ms intended victim. The latter ran to the house of Mrs. Peattie, on reaching which she was found to be in a most exhausted condition. Information was at once given to the police, and Sub-Inspector M'Cluskey, with great promptness, gave instructions, which resulted in the" capture of the villain within an houj^after the committal of the offence. The arrest was effected by Constables Donovan and Moroney, and credit is due to them for the activity which they displayed. An .account of the proceedings police report.