A PARSON IN TROUBLE.

Thames Star, Volume VII, Issue 1992, 24 May 1875, Page 2

A PARSON IN TROUBLE.

Great interest was felfc.in a case tried at the Beading Assizes on March Ist, by Mr Justice Archibald, as. it involved a serious charge of immorality against a clergyman of the Church,of England. A girl of questionable repute, named Woodley, aged eighteen, was charged with stealing from the person of the Eev. Eobert Buymer Williams a gold watch and aluminium chain of the value of £4i, at Eintbury, Berks, on February 4th, 1875. Mr Williams is a clergyman of the Cliurch of England, is a married man, and doing temporary duty in the neighbourhood, and - he alleged that on the afternoon in question he went for a walk,, passing along the^ Causeway. On his return home, he missed his watch, and caused his loss to be cried the same evening. Ultimately, from inquiries made by the police, it was found to have been sold to a local tradesman by the prisoner, and she was given into custody on a charge of theft. The girl then accused the Rev- Mr Williams of immoral conduct, said she had found the watoh on the ground, and kept it, as Mr Williams had promised- it her. Mr Williams denied all knowledge of tho girl whatever. Three respectable witnesses were called . for the defence' — the cost of ' which was defrayed by .subscriptions! from the neighbourhood — who distinctly stated they.,;.saw Mr William? and WoqdlejyViqggther on the Causewayi A girl^nqined White, in particular, alleged, that' the two were holding each. othej?'s;Jiands. The learned judge, in summingjup, pointed out that first of all the' 'jury would have to be satisfied that the girl's statement respecting the appointment with Mr Williams (however disgraceful it might be) was true, and then they would consider whether the watch was given to her,,or whether Mr Williams simply accidentally dropped it, declining to give her it, because technically an immoral bargain was not good in point of. law. The jury acquitted the prisoner amid applause, and the judge disallowed the costs of the' prosecution.—Home News. T