The Express.
London, England, 1860-07-03 00:00:00

THE POLICE COURTS.

GRIENWICH.

Mr. Edwin Confer ay desniibiu;iiimself as a captain in
the merchant service, and residing at No. 2, Gleamotir-
terrace, Blackheath, was charged with indecently assault-
ing Mrs. Jane Howison, a married lady, while travelling in
• carriage on the North Kent Railway.
Mr. Lewis appeared for the accused.
The complainant, on being sworn, said—l am the wife
of Mr. James Howison, chief officer of the screw steamer
Agenoria, trading between London and Riga. I was a pas-
singer by the nine o'clock train, on Saturday evening, on the
North Bent Railway, from London to Rochester. I was
seated second from the door on the left-band aide, my hus-
band sitting on my right sod a female friend on my left. I
was sitting with my back towards the engine, and the
defendant was sitting opposite me. It was a third-class
and the ccamartment in which we were seated
full As soon as I took my seat the defendant rubbed;:iisAs knees against my. dress, and I drew my feet under the
=in order to give him more room. After the train
the defendant again placed his knees against mine
and then rubbed his feet against my legs. I got up and
said, "I will thank you not to do that, sir." When I made
this observation be only looked at me. This was just before
entering the tunnel near the Lewisham station. As soon as
the train entered the tunnel the defendant bent forward,
his face being nearly level with mine, and placed his hands
under my dress. I got up on the train leaving the tunnel
1 —(the tunnel in question is only a few yards in length)—aad
said, " What are you doing, sir" when he folded his arms
and replied, " I have been doing nothing ; I have been
sit-
ting like this." When the train arrived at the Lewisham
station my husband gave the defendant into custody
By Mr. Traill—lt was not quite dark at the time the
train entered the tunnel. There was no light in the car-
riage. My husband rid to defendant, " You have been
insulting my wife, and I will give you in charge." The de-
fendant denied bevies done it, and tried to hold my hus-
band back by taking hold of his coat. At the station de-
fendant said something about holding a respectable position,
and after some little time he said it must have been a man
sitting on his right hand who had acted in the manner de-
scribed, as he had hail ;peat difficulty in keeping the man's
hands off himself. There was a man sitting on each side of
defendant, but I am positive it was neither of them who
insulted me.

Ann Clegg, a young woman residing at 44, King-street,
Rochester, who was in company with the complainant, con-
firmed her statement. -

In answer to questions put by Mr. Lewis, the witness
said defendant Brat gathered complaivant's dress bet wean
Lis knees, and that they were pulled away by complainant
with farm

- Yr. James Howison said—l was a passenger in the train
with my wife and the last witness. Just previous to the
train arriving at the bridges, and before getting to the
Lewisham tunnel, I observed defendant peering into my
wife's face, in consequence of which I watched him. When
the train entered the tunnel I saw defendant stoop, and
afterwards saw him let my wife's dress fall. I heanl my
wife ask him what he was doing, and defendant replied
nothing.
By Mr. Train—There was not sufficient light while in the
tunnel to see defendant, but as we entered the tunnel I
saw him stoop. I am sure I was not mistaken in seeing
him stoop. When at the station defendant said it must
have been a person sitting by his side. The was after the
train had left, and be then took me aside, and said the per-
son of whom the had spoken had also acted: indecently to-
wards him. Defendant then said be had moved to throw
something out of the carriage window, and then said that
he bad not moved at all.

After mane further evidence,
Yr. Trail said the case ass one of great public impor.
tenon, and after the defence set up by the accused he must
send the case to a jury.
The depositions were then taken, and the defendant was
committed for trial, bail being taken for his appearance at
the sessions in two sureties of 80/, each and himself in double
that amount.

Tug Musana ilr Oxsosto-srumr.—An inquiry
was held on Saturday afternoon by Mr. Bedford, the coroner
for Westminster, in the boardroom of St. James's Work-
house, Poland-street, into the death of Caroline Dbereng,
astral 36 years, the wife of John Dbereng, who committed
suicide in Hyde.park under the circumstances reported in
oar columns. The court was crowded. The body of the
murdered and mutilated woman lay in the dead house, and
presented a shocking spectacle. Jane Macdonald identified
the body of the deceased woman as that of her sister.
Catherine was her correct name, although she was called
Caroline. She was 36 years of age. Her husband's name
was Antoine. They had been married about six years, and
from the first he had ill-treated her, although she was as
geld a wife as ever lived. Her husband frequently
left her without any means of obtaining subeistence.
The wargeou who was called in on the discovery of the body
said there were four wounds on the shoulders and hip joints
of tits deceased. There were two cuts over the ankles. The
head was found ,in the cupboard, and on it there were
several cuts. There was an extensive fracture of the skull,
which was done during life. The cause of death was no
doubt the injuries to the head, as they were imply suMaisitt.
The cutting of the bead and the injuries to the arms were
done after death. The large shears produced was such as in-
-1 snument as would bare produced a fracture of the skull.
1 There wen marks of blood upon them. The other injuries
could have been inflicted with the 'mile produced. The
Werwireterned a verdict of " Wilful murder" against
Emig HOII4.2OPATHIC COCOA,—Its delioitnis
grams, grateful macothams, and invigorating power bare pro
cared Its emend adoption as • breakfast beverage. 5b.1
Its., and 116. packets, at la id. per lb., by the principal groom
Labelled ...lames Epps Hot keopathic Chemist, London."—Ad.
vertisament.