>From the Cardiff and Merthyr Guardian 13 October 1865 - CARDIFF POLICE COURT. FRIDAY--(Before R. O. Jones, Esq.) CURIOUS CASE OF ASSAULT.--Thomas Ahern, a labourer, was charged with an assault on a young woman, named Catherine Regan. Complainant said she was waiting for her father, about 12 o'clock on Sunday night. Her father had the care of Mr. Rees's boats, and was out late. She had no mother and about half-past 11 o'clock she went out to seek her father, and having proceeded a hundred yards from her own house, between Thomas-street and William-street, the defendant came up to her and without saying a word knocked her down and attempted to commit a rape. She screamed out and he then tried to choke her, and he swore he would take her life if he did not have his will on her. He knocked her down, kicked her, and knocked a tooth out of her month. Her screams brought a neighbour, named Margaret Sullivan to her assistance, and Sullivan pulled the defendant off her. Complainant was cross-examined by Mr. Ensor to show that she had been previously at a public house drinking. She admitted that she had been drinking with a young man and woman, but she was quite sober. She was not sitting on the pavement, but had been looking for her father, and staid a few minutes for him at the corner of the street. Margaret Sullivan, a woman about 40 years of age, said she was a neighbour of the complainant. She was in bed on Sunday night, when she was awoke by hearing some person screaming. She got up and partly dressed herself, and went to the place. She saw the complainant on the ground, and the defendant on the top of her. She appeared almost suffocated, and was scarcely able to scream. Witness went up to her and pulled the defendant off her by the hair of his head, and then picked up the girl who was bleeding at the mouth. She said he had knocked a tooth out of her mouth. Witness was carrying her home when the woman the complainant lived with, came up and assisted her. The defendant came up again and took the complainant from them and put her on the ground. This witness was cross-examined and said the girl was quite sober. Mary Stafford, the landlady, said she was alarmed by the screaming, and went out and came up as the last witness was bringing her home. When she got up the defendant again came up and knocked the complainant on the ground. She was bleeding from the mouth and was told by the complainant that he had knocked a tooth out. Complainant was very much bruised, and complained that her body was hurt all over. Was well aware that the next day the girl laid in bed, in consequence of the injuries she had received. In answer to Mr. Jones she said the girl had lived with her for 6 or 7 years, and she was always a quiet modest girl. Her father was often out late at night, and the girl went sometimes out to seek him, as he occasionally got drunk. The girl had no mother, and had had the charge of three children. The husband of the last witness was called, and said the father with the complainant and three children occupied one large room in his house. He got up when he heard her screaming, as he knew who it was screaming. The father he said, in answer to Mr. Ensor, was in the house lying on a bench when they returned. He could not say when Regan returned to the house. In order to enable, witnesses for the defence to be called, the case was adjourned till Monday, Mr. Jones stating that substantial bail would be taken for the appearance of the defendant, but at present it was an ugly case against him, as it was something more than an assault. Welsh newspapers online at National Library of Wales http://welshnewspapers.llgc.org.uk/en/home

>From the Brecon Gazette, 13 October 1865 - CARDIFF POLICE COURT. MONDAY.--(Before the Mayor, R. O. Jones, and Wm. Alexander, Esq.) ALLEGED ASSAULT WITH INTENT.--Thomas Ahern appeared on a remand charged with an assault on Catherine Regan. The whole of the case for the plaintiff was heard and the case was adjourned for the defendant to produce witnesses. Mr. Ensor called Thomas Bowen, who said he passed the complainant on Monday night. She was then sitting on the pavement, and was in a state of intoxication. The defendant tried to persuade her to go home, but she said some person had gone for her father, and she would not go till this person returned. Witness went on about 30 yards, and sat down, and in a few minutes heard a scream from the complainant. He went up to the spot and found the complainant and the defendant in the middle of the street. She was scratching his face, and he pushed her away and said "you b----y sweep, I don't want you." Sergt. Price was called and gave the defendant an excellent character. Mrs. Aubrey said she bad examined the complainant, but could find no marks or bruises on her body, but there was a lump on the cheek where the tooth bad pressed against it. Mr. Jones said the origin of the case was somewhat difficult to explain, even taking the account given by the complainant to be the true one. However, there was no doubt that defendant had used more violence than was necessary. If he thought there had been any indecent assault on the part of the defendant, he should have felt it his duty to send the case for trial. As it was, the magistrates would deal with the case summarily and inflict such a penalty as would caution the defendant against using such an amount of violence again. He would be fined 40s. and costs, or one month's imprisonment. Welsh newspapers online at National Library of Wales http://welshnewspapers.llgc.org.uk/en/home