The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1824-10-15 00:00:00

EXTRAORDINARr CASE OF ASSAULT.

BRIGHTON POLICE OFFICE.
TRANCES LOWER v. naanstraw.
The defendant has for sonic time practised as surgeon in Brighton.
The complainant is a young woman, about 17 or 18 years of age,
of very mild and modest appearance, and is living as a servant in
• family of great respectability. She stated to the Bench, that on
Monday evening se'nnight, having a complaint in her eyes, she
went to defendant's house in Granville-place, who had attended
her father's family for several years, to get some medicine. It was
about six o'clock, and whilst she was waiting for the medicine, the
defendant committed the assault which was the subject of the pre.
sent complaint.—(lt was of such a nature as prevents us from
giving any account of it.) She remained with the defendant
about a quarter of anhour, and then went to her home, where she
was at service. Her fellow-servant seeing her so much distressed,
asked what was the matter? when Lower said she wished she had
not gone near him (mauling Bradshaw), and afterwards told her
what had happened.
Bradshaw was now asked if he had any questions to put to the
conmlainant ? when he asked her several. which decency prevents
us giving publicity to, But they were of such a nature as to place
the poor girl in a situation truly pitiable. At length he asked her,
" if he did not, unknown to her father sad mother, cure her of a
certain complaint about a year and a half ago ?"—" Never, Sir !
Oh, never !" cried the poor girl, whilst her tears bore testimony to
,
the truth of the assertion. But, 1 say that I did, as sty books
will prove," replied Bradshaw.
The Bench told him this was a very extraordinary mode of de-
fence, though, if he substantiated the fact, it would of course make
a difference in the degree of the offence he was charged with ; but if
be should be unable to substantiate it, he would render his ease
Infinitely worse than It was before.
Bradshaw said, " he knew what he was doing; and though
nothing on earth but the situation in which he was placed,
should ever have drawn the secret from him, yet now, that he
was thus dragged forward, he must speak in his own defence ; and
that if he could not substantiate this tact, he should deserve to
be severely trounced, and to be considered the greatest villain on
earth." He then put certain questions to the girl, all which she
steadily denied. The Bench then asked hint if he never used •
certain medicine in any case than the one he alluded to ? He re-
plied that he did. " Than how do you distinguish such as you
have now spoken of from others ?"—‘' Because I put a private mark
in cases of thin deseriptioa, but any
,medicalgentleuma, by referring
to the book, can see what medicines I sent.
The books were then sent for.
" Now, Sir," said one of the Staglstrates, handing him over a
sheet of paper and a pen, " have the goodness to make on that pa-
pertheeritate mark."—" No, I can't do that, Sir."
" No ; why not ?"—" 11'hy, I had rather not."
" BM what objection can you have ? We only wish to see if the
private mark you give us here will correspond.
The Magistrate urged him in vain to. give the private mark,
which he altogether refused, without assigning any reason. The
books were then opened, MA there appeared no private mark what•
ever ; there was not a drachm of any kind thargrd to the girl—the
girl's name even did not appear in the book, except In her father's
account, which was paid.
The Bench asked Bradshaw what be bad to say, but he said little
mesa, except that he formerly was a common soldier in the 48th
Regiment, and that be studied under a Dr. Thompson several
The Bench told him, it was evident he was a very illiterate pep
see ; and after severely animadverting on his conduct, particularly
daring the examination, ordered him to find sureties for his appear-
ance at the Sessions to answer the charge of assault with an attempt
o commit a rape, which Mr. Lower was bound over in recogut.
minces then to prefer against him.
The young woman's father and mother were with her during the
whale of hvrexamination, which lasted upwards of three hours.
Bradshaw put in the necessary bail, and was discharged.