The Express. — 1860-07-03 (London, England)

THE POLICE COURTS.  GRIENWICH.  Mr. Edwin Confer ay desniibiu;iiimself as a captain in the merchant service, and residing at No. 2, Gleamotirterrace, Blackheath, was charged with indecently assaulting 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 passinger 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 husband 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 sitting 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 carriage. My husband rid to defendant, " You have been insulting my wife, and I will give you in charge." The defendant denied bevies done it, and tried to hold my husband back by taking hold of his coat. At the station defendant 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 described, 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, confirmed 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 person of whom the had spoken had also acted: indecently towards 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 Workhouse, 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