AN FARE IN COURT. ACCUSED OF AN ASSAULT ON A SMALL CHILD.

Te Aroha News, Volume VII, Issue 420, 16 November 1889, Page 5

AN FARE IN COURT. ACCUSED OF AN ASSAULT ON A SMALL CHILD.

Thk Earl of Galloway was arraigned on October 14th at Dumfries on a charge of having made an indecent assault upon a child. The Court was crowded with the leading people of the community. The little girl gave her testimony in regard to the nature of the Earl's oiience, and her testimony was corroborated by other witnesses. A statement prepared by the defendant was then read, in which an explanation was made that no intentional oltence was committed. In helping the child oil" a wall his hand had accidentally come into improper contact with her person. The accused was eventually acquitted. Those present in the courtroom, many of whom were friends and relatives ot the little girl, whom the aged nobleman was charged with abusing, took no pains to conceal their dissent with the verdict of acquittal which was rendered. Theannouncemuitof the verdict \\ ab the signal of loud expressions of disapproval from the benches wheie the spectators w ere seated, and the frowns, and threats of the presiding Judge were of no avail to suppress the cries of " Shame !" " Shame !" uttered by do/cub of indignant persons. In London the news of the verdict was received with rreat indignation among the common people.