MAGISTRATE'S COURT.

Oamaru Mail, Volume I, Issue 76, 19 July 1876, Page 2

MAGISTRATE'S COURT.

+j. THIS DAY. (Before His Worship the Mayor and W. J. Steward, Esq., J.P.'s. The Court opened at 11.14. DRUNK AND DISORDERLY. Richard O'Hare, arrested by Constable Stewart on the above charge, was dismissed with a caution. INDECENT ASSAULT. John M'Menemin was charged that he did, on the 18th instant, at Oamaru, unlawfully and indecently assault one Jeannet M'Laren. Sub-Inspector M'Cluskey prosecuted, and Mr. O'Meagher defended, the prisoner. The prosecutrix, on being sworn, de- ,; posed : —I reside at Oamaru, and am now s in service at Mr. Mortimer's, wheelwright, Eden-street. Have seen the prisoner before, having met him in the street, but I know nothing further about him. He came to my master's house yesterday afternoon, about half-past three o'clock. Asked him three times what he wanted. He then made a "grab" at me with his hands, got hold of me, and pulled me on to a chair between his knees. He kissed me, and I then got away from him, and ordered him out of the house. I afterwards sat on a box, and the prisoner on another, close beside one. He then drew my attention to something. (The witness here described what*took place between herself and the prisoner.) by Mr. . O'Meagher: I am twenty-six years of age. There is no married.woman living in the house where I reside. Have been there about four months, and am receiving £35 a year for my services. Prisoner was not sober, but able to run. He spoke like a drunken man. I was standing at the kitchen table when he came in; the distance of the latter from the door is about four yards. The prisoner placed his arms under mine round the waist, and I then pushed him away. Did not pull his beard,- in order to getaway. The accused said he wanted a kiss, and I told him he was not going to have one. He, however, overpowered me, and took one. Cannot say how long it lasted, but it was pretty long. He had his lips to mine longer than a "quarter of a minute, and held me sitting on the chair about three minutes. Cannot swear it was not five minutes. I did not keep my eyes on the prisoner, though I was sitting near him. I might have got farther away had I chose. I afterwards went to the fire, and my back was then towards him. Did not create any alarm, because I thought there was no one,at hand. To the Bench : When my master came home I made a complaint to him regarding the prisoner's assault on me., John Henderson, a youth, and Constable Donovan, gave evidence; after which, Mr. O'Meagher addressed the Court on behalf of the prisoner. The Bench considered a prima facie case had been made out, and committed the prisoner to stand his trial at th§ next sitting of the District Court, to be held at Oamaru on the 20th inst. On the application of Mr. O'Meagher, bail was allowed in two sureties of £25 each, and the prisoner's own recognisance of £SO.