The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser. — 1820-08-03 (London, England)

RAPE. Matthew Hanson, • private in the 84th regiment, stationed at Halifax, was charged with coms mitring a rape on the person of Mary Buckley, a girl of the age of 14. Though the trial terminated in the acquittal of the Prisoner. it disclosed a scene of very gross inipeorieloct on his part, and conduct most infamous oil • the part of a female who appeared to have acted es his accomplice. The Prosecutrix, a young girl of the tender age of fourteen, was sent by her mother to a public mangle. at Southfield, Halifix, on Tuesday, the 18th of April last. The mangle was kept in a chamber iii which was a bed. The Prisoner was turning the mangle for a woman of the name- of Betty Edwards, when the Prosecutrix got there. The soldier not appearing to turn the mangle very vigorously, the girl said she thought lie was weak, and wanted some drink.— The soldier made reply, that he could turn the mangle if she was upon it. The Prosecutrix was sitting on the edge of the bed, and the Prisoner quitted the mangle and threw her upon it, but without at that time committing any gross indecorum. The Prosecutrix said she was very angry Bud struck at him, and called him a villaiu, upon which he again threw her upon the bed and effected his purpose. The Prosecutrix said she screamed out as burl as she could for the pressure upon her, hut that Betty Edwards would not afford her any assistance. The Pruiecotrix stated that she communicated what had passed to her mother the following day, but not before she had been interrogated by her respecting it ; it was her intention to have mentioned it, but she•could not fir shame. Ann Davies, a little girl, ten year. of age, was in the room when this shocking outrage was committed ; she confirmed us muds of the stateineut of the last witness. as could be expected froM so young a•child ; but F.tie said that Mary Buckley laughed the first time that she was thrown upon the bed. The second time she cried out " Murder !" She called upon Betty Edwards, who said she would. have nothing to do with .hers The JUDGE thought the levity of the girl upon the first liberty being taken with her, 'night have operated as an enconragement to the Prisoner, but whose conduct was deserving of the severest reprehension; he therefore suggested the propriety of going no further into the case. The Counsel for the prosecution acceded to the suggestion—the Prisoner was ',quitted.. His Lorth.liip said, no language he could use could sußiciently express his detestation at the conduct of Betty Edwards, who was deserving of the severest punishment. His Lordship said it was a case most deserving of being brought. before p Jury, and he should with the greatest pleasure allow the costs Of the prosecution. The parties had bee.. before Colonel Horton, who after hearing the evidence of Betty Edwards, dismissed the camplaint, and the Prisoner was discharged ; but on a subsequent examination before Michael Stocks, Esq. that Magistrate thought it his duty to cow, mit the Prisoner for trial. ' Isaac. Wright was charged with administering a certain mixture to Ann Redact!, with an intent to procure an abortion of a child; with which she was then.pregnant. Ann Rodwell stated, that she was last summer in the service of Mrs. Heaton, of Ackworth; the Prisoner was her sweetheart. and she became pregnant; upon communicating her situation to hiqb he told her be world get something which would-sake her miscarry l old he gave her metric' bottles. one of which she Wok, but tbq did not produce that • , • . . .