ASSAULTING A GIRL

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XVI, Issue 5177, 8 November 1895, Page 3

ASSAULTING A GIRL

At tho Mastorton S.M. Court this [morning before Mr T. Hutchison, I S.M., .1, O'Connoll was charged with committing a common assault on Jessio Johnston, accused pleaded guilty. In evidence Jessie Johnston stated that she was going to get a horse behind the Empire Hotel when tho defendant took hold of her baud and struck her on the arm and on tho face, also using bad language. In answer to the S.M. fhodofondant stated that ho had just come down from the country ami was very drunk. He did not think he struck the girl. George Joyce, labouror,residing at Masferton, stated:-" I was standing at Cole's stable door. I saw tho accused put his arm round informaut's neck. She pushed him off and then accused struck her in the face and they had a "set-to." Constable Lawler gave evidence as to the arrest of O'Conncll, and stated that his condition was such that he was almost senseless from the effects of drink. His Worship in giving judgment, stated that the plea of drunkenness conld not in any way better the case, but as accused had previously hold a good character, he would only impose a sentence of one week's imprisonment, and order accused to pay all costs in tho case. This afternoon the sentence was revised to a line ot 40s in consideration of Sergeant MeArdlo's favourable report regarding tho character of accused.