The Sun.
London, England, 1857-07-13 00:00:00

MIDDLESEX SESSIONS.--Tuly 11.

Assistant Judge.)
YwQ.easir:dicted for unlawfully
• (Before Mr. lkef .
oPe sble
c 30, '
and indecently assaulting a girl named Margaret
Curley.
Mr. Sleigh appeared for the prosecution, in.
strutted by Mr.
b Shaen ; Mr. Cooper, by Messrs.
Humphreys, for the prisoner.
The prosecutrix, a girl ]4 years of age, was sex-
vant in the prisoner's house, No. 2, Rheialol-ter-,
race, Islington, where be carried on the busineis of
an artificial florist, and had a number of young girls
in his employment. The case for the prosecution,
and which was clearly made out upon the evidence
of the girl, wag, that one night, when excited by
drink, the prisoner left his wif.2B bedroom, and
went to the kitchen, where the girl was sleeping,
and committed the assault charged in Vie fist
count. Next morning the girl told Mrs. Chescoe
what had occurred, and she to'd prisoner of it in
her presence. He said he was drunk and knew
nothing about it. The prosseutr:x then informed
her father and mother, and they caused the prisoner
to be apprehended. He then made a scarcely in-
telligible statement, partly admitting some mis-
conduct. The prosecutrix was subjected to a severs
cross-examination, but she gave her answers with-
out the least hesitation, and gave minute details of
th.-) offence. A medical gentleman give evidence,
ft-am which it appeared that a more serious offence
than an assault had not been committed.
Mr. Cooper, for the defence, urged that the girl
was utterly unworthy of belief, and that her flip-
pant, and immodest manner in the box, and her
evident familiarity with such details, as exhibited
in her answers, would justify the jury in coming to
the conclusion that there was no foundation for the
charge.
Two witnesses, speaking from a knowledge of
the prisoner for a number of years, gave him a high
character for morality and propriety of conduct.
The Assistant-Judge told the jury that the only
question in the case was, did they or did they
not be'ieve the girl's evidence'?
The jury at once returned a verdict of Guilty_
upon all the counts.
At the rising of the court the prisoner was
brought up and sentenced to 18 months hard
lab air.
William Bristow, 38, labourer, and John Hamil-
ton, 62, a Customs weigher, were indicted for
having stolen a ham, the property of William
Robinson. This was a case postponed from last ses-
sion. Hamilton now surrendered in court.
Mr. Metcalfe. instructed by Tyrell and Co.,
prosecuted ; Mr. Sleigh, instructed by Mr. Hodg-
son, defended Hamilton. Bristow pleaded
" Guilty,"
It aPPO rerl. that the prisoner Mist )w took a ham
from a ship in the East and West India Docks,
and a portion of it was found upon his person as
he was about to leave, When questioned he said
a ship's steward had given it to him, but ultimately
he admitted haviria, stolen it, and mid° a state
wont implicating the prisoner Hamilton, who at
OA time was acting as searcher's cooper, as re-
ceiver of part of the ham. Hamilton at once ad-
mitted that he had received a piece of ham from
the prisoner, ' who told him it had been given
to him by a steward. Hamilton had been iu the
wirvice.of the Crown altogether about 40 years,
and several Customa officers of higher rank than
himself wore called to give evidence of his having
borne an unblemished character up to the present

summing
time.
The jury interrupted the Assistant Judge in his
up and sa'd. they were satisfied there was
uo case whatever against Hamilton, whom they ac-
cordingly Acquitted.
Bristow was sentenced to nine months' hdd la-
bour.

(Before Mr. CreasY.)
Win, Vincent 26 was indicted forhaving stolen
a watch and chain,
value 10/., the property of
Thomas Gilbert. Re surrendered.