The Kentish Independent, Saturday 20 July, 1878.

Outragous Charge.

John Duff, 48, of 2, Canon Row, Woolwich, was charged on remand with committing a serious assault on Isabella Roberts, age 6 years, daughter of a gunner in the Royal Artillery, living at Cardwell Cottages.

Mrs. Grace Scanlan of the "Army House" beershop, Artillery Place, said that on the night the prisoner was apprehended he came into her house and asked for a bed for himself and his niece. She told him she was very sorry that she had not got a bed, on account of the little child.

Prisoner denied ever seeing Mrs. Scanlon, and said that what he had done was in good faith, and he never did any harm to the little girl. He thought that he had suffered quite enough for what he had done.

Mr. Balguy:- But I don't. There is no doubt that you committed an assault on this child, but the evidence is not sufficient to commit you for trial, because there is something in the indictment by which you might be acquitted. You will have to find two sureties in £20 for your good behaviour for six-months.