CHARGE OF INDECENT ASSAULT.
At the Magistrates Room on Wednesday, before C. Early, Esq., Thomas William Pratley, (42), a smartly dressed man, described in the charge sheet as a tobacconist of Field Assarts, Asthall, and who has recently returned from America, was charged with indecently assaulting and illtreating Florence Buckingham, a girl between 10 and 12 years of age, at Hailey on the 1st inst.
the complainant, who gave her evidence very clearly said she was the daughter of William Buckingham, a mason, of Crawley-road, Hailey. She saw the prisoner about half-past five o'clock the previous afternoon in the Crawley-road. She was in the turn-pike road, and Lilian Gardner was with her. The prisoner asked her what her name was, and she told him. He then asked the other little girl what her name was, and she also told him. They were at the time looking into "Carter" Smith's field, and he asked them if he went into that field and over to the other road where it would lead him, and they told him he would loose his way. He then caught hold of the witness' hand and led her down the road towards Witney. He then turned down the road lending from West End to Hailey, and when they had got a little way on the road he asked them what they would have to drink. They told him that they were teetotallers, and then he turned back again towards Witney, Lilian Gardner ran indoors, and the prisoner then told witness that he was going to take her home. He went a little way up the Crawley-road, where she lived, and they then tuned back and went down the Hailey-road again, and when they got some way down the prisoner indecently assaulted her. She ran away, and he caught hold of her scarf, and tried to detain her, but she got away, and ran home and told her mother what had occurred.
By Mr. Early: All this took took place in the public road. There was no one passing by. It was dark at the time.
By the Clerk: She did not call out. She went with the prisoner willingly up and down the road. She did not know the prisoner.
Lilian Gardner, 10 years of age, was sworn, and said she was with the last witness the previous evening when the prisoner spoke to them on the Crawley-road. Witness ran home and left Florence Buckingham with the prisoner together.
Supt. Cook explained that the girl's father detained the prisoner, and sent for the police. The father was not now present, and his wife said he had that morning gone to work at Bicester. Mr. Cook added that prisoner lived in America, where he had been for the past 16 years, but was now visiting his father at Field Assarts.
Prisoner was remanded in custody until the following day.
At a Special Sessions, before C. Early and C.D. Batt, Esqs., on Thursday, further evidence was adduced.
Mr. Rigden appeared for the prisoner.
The complainant repeated the evidence she gave at the first hearing, and in cross-examination by Mr. Rigden, said-
When I first met the prisoner I could see him distinctly. We went in the direction of the public house, and before we turned back we could see the public house. We walked half-way from Canon Pool to the public house. I told him then that we must go home, and he said he would go home with us. We sent together back to Canon Pool, which is close to Lilian Gardner's house. She said she had something to do, and should go indoors. My house is beyond Gardner's house. I then went back down the Hailey road with the prisoner, because I thought what a nice kind gentleman he was. He had given me no sweets or money. I was not frightened till he assaulted me. I was in the middle of the road when he assaulted me; it was not dark it was dusk. Mrs. Haley passed us when we were in the Hailey road; we were then walking hand-in-hand. When I was assaulted I did not cry out; he did not hurt me. Afterwards I went into Witney with my father, and saw prisoner by the Bridge hill. He was walking fast at the time. I did not hear what my father said to him. I know it was 5-30 because mother told me.
Elizabeth Buckingham, mother of the said child, deposed: At 5-30 on the night in question I heard that my child was with a stranger, and I ran down the road to find her. I met her at the bottom of the Hailey road; she was running. I asked her where she had been with the man. She appeared exhausted, and could hardly speak. She told me what had happened, and I ran after the man. She did not say, but seemed frightened. I met my husband, and made a communication to him.
Cross-examined by Mr. Rigden: It was getting so dark that I could hardly discern my husband until he got up close to me. While I was talking to my child I saw the prisoner go by on the bank towards Witney. When the child got in doors I did not examine her, because from what she said, I did not think there was any need. There was nothing unusual about her clothes.
William Buckingham, husband of the last witness deposed: On Tuesday last I returned to Witney by the 5 o'clock train. I went in the direction of home which would take me about half an hour. I met my wife, Mrs. Haley, and my child. In consequence of what my wife said I threw my basket down and ran back to Witney, and caught prisoner at the bottom of Witney Bridge. I caught hold of him and asked him what he had been doing to my little girl. He said "I have done no harm to her. I put my hand down the front of the child's dress." I said "did not you do anything else." He said "I done no harm." I asked him whether he did not assault her. He the said "let's go and have a drink, and make it up." He further said "I will give you anything in reason." I said "I would not have anything, not if you would give me £100." He again asked me to have another drink, and I refused. I had hold of the prisoner all the time. sent my brother for the police, and gave him in custody on this charge.
By Mr. Rigden: While I was talking to the prisoner a crowd collected, and I was excited. I will swear that what I have said is just the conversation that took place. He said all the way through that he had done no harm to my child. When I overtook him he was walking fast. He tried to get away from me, but I stuck to him.
Job Fowler, fishmonger, of Witney, deposed: I saw the last witness with the prisoner by Witney Bridge on Tuesday night, about 6 o'clock. Buckingham had got hold of him, and said he should hold him till the policeman came. The prisoner said "What are you going to charge me with then," and he said "for assaulting my child." He said he drew his hand down the front of her dress. The child accused him of assaulting her. Prisoner said to Buckingham "If I have assaulted your daughter in anyway, come and have a drink, and I will make it up with you."
By Mr. Rigden: I heard the prisoner deny that he had hurt the child.
Prisoner did not appear to be drunk. He did not attempt to get away.
Esther Haley, wife of Elijah Haley, of Crawley Road, weaver, deposed: I was going home about 5-30 on Tuesday night. I was going from West End to the Crawley Road. I saw Florence Buckingham and a strange man going down the Crawley Road. When I got home I told Mrs. Buckingham what I had seen.
By Mr. Rigden: Lilian Gardner was not with them; they were walking hand-in-hand. They were not far from houses. It is five minutes walk from the place where I saw Florence Buckingham and the strange man, and where I met Mrs. Buckingham.
William Buckingham, re-called, in reply to Mr. Rigden, deposed: I saw Frank Harris when I was going after the prisoner, and he followed me along and was amongst the crowd at the Bridge.
Frank Harris, baker, of West End, deposed: I got to the Bridge when Buckingham caught the prisoner. I heard the prisoner say - "I have not done the girl any harm; let's go and have a drink together and settle it." Buckingham said he should not, or he would be worse than he was. Prisoner further said that he met the little girl down the road, and smoothed his hand down her dress.
By Mr. Rigden: I did not leave a message with my brother that I knew nothing about the case. I heard nothing more than what I have stated.
Supt. Cook deposed: I charged the prisoner with indecently assaulting Florence Buckingham. At first he did not answer, and afterwards he said - "I did not do anything." I told him he would have to be locked up. He asked for bail, which I refused.
The Chairman having cautioned the prisoner.
Mr. Rigden stated that if the Bench considered that there was a prima facia case, he supposed the prisoner would be committed for trial, in that case he would reserve his defence.
The prisoner was committed to take his trial at the forthcoming Assizes, to be held on the 11th inst. Bail was refused. |