Devon Assizes: Saturday before Mr. Justice Cave: Censured by the Judge: Sidney Doddridge, aged 14, was charged with a serious offence against a child of weak intellect, named Ada Pinsent, aged 11, at llsington on October 25th. Mr. Gaunter prosecuted: — Mr. and Mrs. Brimblecome swore that they saw the prisoner assault the child on the highway close to their cottage about quarter to five on Sunday afternoon, October 25th. They, however, took no steps to prevent him effecting his purpose. Brimblecombe said he afterwards spoke to the lad. — The defence was an alibi, several witnesses, including the child’s father, stating that at the time of the assault the prisoner was at home, a quarter of a mile away, having his tea. It was also shown that Brimblecombe and Doddridge’s father were on very bad terms. On one occasion the latter accused the former of having, some years ago, been convicted of felony, and Brimblecombe replied, “You ought not to say that. You don’t know what may be hanging over the heads of your children.” — Mr. Thorne, for the defence, commented strongly upon this, and said both Brimblecombe and his wife, if what they said was true, and they stood and saw the child ill-treated, when they could have prevented it, acted in a most discreditable way, and ought to be thoroughly ashamed to come into court. — The Judge, in summing up, said he did not think too much importance should be attached to the alibi set up, as people were generally inaccurate in stating times. The Question was whether they believed or disbelieved Mr. and Mrs. Brimblecombe, whom he strongly censured for the way in which they had acted if their story were true. — The jury, without any hesitation, returned a verdict “not guilty.”
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Referenced
GRO0005 Bristol: Ada Pinsent: 1880 – 1959