Mexborough & Swinton Times — Friday 30 June 1893
Indecency at New Conisborough
George Porter, musician, hailing from Barnsley, was charged with an indecent assault upon Lily Davies, aged 12, at New Conisborough.
Lily Davies, of Firbeck-street, New Conisborough, said that on the 21st of last month her father and mother went to Mexborough Feast. She and her little brother and sister were left at home, her brother and sister being in bed and only herself downstairs. She was sitting up for her father and mother. It got to be twelve o’clock, when there was a knock at the door and the prisoner came in. He gave her a penny and said, “Sit on my knee.” She sat on his knee, and he then committed the offence complained of and would not let her get away. Her father and mother came home at the time and the prisoner then let her go. Nothing further happened that night, but the next morning she said something to her mother.
Alfred Davies, father of the girl, said he and his wife went to Mexborough on Wednesday last, and when at the fair ground he saw the prisoner. It was then after eleven o’clock. Prisoner had asked for lodgings and he had told him he could not find him any. He got back home about 12.15 and found Porter and the child in the kitchen. He asked Porter what he was doing there when he had said he was not to come. Prisoner said nothing. He sent his child Lily to bed and allowed prisoner to stay in the house all night. From a communication received next morning he gave prisoner into custody.
Cross-examined: Prisoner had not played for him last Saturday. He had seen him in the Red Lion and had told him if he came to Charlesworth’s he could put him in the way of earning a shilling or two. He had nothing to do with engaging him. Prisoner had slept in his house the night previous to the assault but he had told him not to come again.
P.C. Truman said on Thursday, June 22nd, at 1.20, he apprehended the prisoner on a charge of indecently assaulting Lily Davies. Prisoner admitted the assault.
Committed for trial.