Tag: 1864

 CULLOMPTON SESSIONS, Yesterday: Before the Rev. J. (Chairman), Rev. J. P. Sydenham and W. C. Grant: Alleged Fatherhood: Jane Baker, of Culmstock, sought to charge one George Salter, policeman, for the maintenance of her illegitimate child. Mr. Fryer appeared for the defendant, and elicited from the complainant that Salter had come out with a brother officer to her house and insisted that the matter should be satisfactorily proved before a Bench of magistrates, in order that his reputation might be re-established. Complainant contradicted herself. Mr. Fryer contended that there was no evidence against the defendant and called him forward. Salter stated to the Bench that he never had anything to do with the girl; he went on the 19th May to the complainant’s house, and then and there denied that he was the father of the child. This he said in the presence of Sergeant Gunn. Defendant then insisted upon her summoning him before the magistrates; she did not do so. He (defendant) would take other proceedings. Defendant had to make a return of “where he went ” every day. He now showed the Bench that at the time the complainant said he assaulted her he was elsewhere. He was at the “Red Ball ” at half-past eleven on that day; and at two o’clock the same day he was at Appledore; he was absent the whole of the day. This return he made to the Superintendent was customary. That day was the day the complainant pretended that she had been assaulted.  Mary Lane, a witness, had sworn that Salter had been to the complainant’s on the 9th July; when told by the Chairman that Salter had proved that he had been elsewhere on that day, she, with great audacity, stuck to her former statement that “she did see him on the 9th.” Sergeant Gunn corroborated the defendant’s statement and added that he went there as a witness; he was told by the Superintendent that might go if he thought proper. Ann Pinsent stated that she was requested by the complainant’s mother to write a letter to a “young man” with whom complainant had been keeping company, and admitted the paternity of the child, and further stated in a letter which he sent in answer to witness’s letter, that if the child had been born at another time, he “would married the complainant.” The defendant’s wife stated that she was friendly with the complainant. The complainant was absent from Culmstock during the whole of July. On the 3rd of August the complainant returned and called at the witness’ house. The Bench granted order 2s. a week, with the ordinary costs. Mr. Fryer gave notice of appeal. 

Transcribed in whole or part from scanned originals: Presented with or without modified text and punctuation. For absolute accuracy refer to the original newspapers. Source: The British Newspaper Archive.

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