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From the Kent and Sussex Courier, 24 July 1874.
The Alleged Rape Case.
Alfred Thompsett was charged, on remand, with faloniously assaulting and
committing a rape on a young girl, 14 years of age, named Lucy
Pentecost, at the "Woodmans Arms."
Mr. Burton, solicitor, now defending Thompsettn, and pleaded not guilty.
He cross-examine the girl at some length.
Mr. W. Howells Rix, surgeon, was called, and stated the result of his
examination of the girl and her clothing, which did not go precisely to
show that a rape had been committed.
Mrs. Lydia Gabriel, a widow, said the girl complained to her that the
prisoner had assaulted her, and she told her to tell her mistress.
Martha Pentecost, the mother, who lives at Hawkenbury, also stated what
the girl had told her, and detailed some conversation she had with a
prisoner; and P.C. Mallion deposed to apprehending the prisoner, who
denied the charge.
Mr. Burton submitted that the evidence only showed that an attempt had
been made upon the girl, because the surgeon could not find any marks of
violence. Although the prisoner denied stoutly that anything of the kind
had taken place, he's (Mr. Burton) could not believe that the girls
statement was partially correct.
He made a powerful appeal to the Bench on the probabilities of the case.
The prisoner was committed for trial to the Sussex Assizes, and admitted
to bail, himself in £50 and two series of £50 each.
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