RESIDENT MAGISTRATE'S COURT

Thames Star, Volume XI, Issue 3532, 21 April 1880, Page 2

RESIDENT MAGISTRATE'S COURT

Yestbbday. (Before H. Kenrick, Esq., E.M.) A Reputed Father. William Short was charged with neglecting to contribute to the support of his illegitimate child by Annie Roberts. Mr Miller appeared for the defendant, who pleaded not guilty. Mr Brassey appeared for the plaintiff. William Short, sworn, deposed^!

was 17 years old last Good Friday. I am apprenticed to Mr Deuby. I had a liking for the girl Roberts in the early part of my acquaintac.ee with her. I spoke io her first on the 29th of January, 1878, and on becoming better acquainted with her frequently walked .with her. I attempted connection wifchher on January 29, '79,00rn r temptation from her. This was the ob'y time I attempted connection with her oranyone else. lam willing to undergo a medical examination. After the birth of the child I had ? several advances from the girl's relations, but denied the parentage in toto. Witness was cross examined at great length by Mr Brassey, but nothing fresh was elicited.

George Denby, sworn, deposed—l am a chemist, and defendant is apprenticed to me. I know tbe complainant Miss Roberts or Harris. I recollect her coming into the shop in September, 1878. She said, " Oh Mr Denby, my courses have stopped, and I want something to bring them on." I gave her steel pills. From her manner, and from the fact that she would give no reason for, the stoppage of the courses, I thought her disorder was from improper practices. In March, '79, ihe came in again and asked for some more pills. I gave her; a severe lecture, and she tacitly admitted improper conduct. She said, ''They want to keep me in, but I won't he kept in; lam going to have my fling." I cautioned her to get her sister to sleep with her, but she only laughed and joked. I then prescribed for I her. I requested defendant to give the girl a hint to sleep with her sisterDefendant has worked for me 4f- years,; and I have found him everything I could desjre. I am sure defendant kflows nothing of the relations of male and female. He assured me that he never had intercourse with the girl, and I am positive that he has not. I would be able to tell by inspection if he had had frequent sextual connection. I noticed the girl's pregnancy in December. I subsequently heard she was going to be married to her master, r '

The prosecutrix was re-called and denied every tittle of Mr Denby's evidence.

*&His Worship said he would reserve his decision till Thursday, and in the meantime would consult medical men to see if anything could be gained by an examination of the lad. He referred to the pa Infill nature of the case, and the gross perjury that bad been committed on one side or the other. The Courtgrose at 6.45. p.m.