Papurau Newydd Cymru

Chwiliwch 15 miliwn o erthyglau papurau newydd Cymru

Cuddio Rhestr Erthyglau

9 erthygl ar y dudalen hon

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CHARGES OF PERJURY AT TREGARON.

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CHARGES OF PERJURY AT TREGARON. OXE OF THE ACCUSED COMMITTED TO THE ASSIZES. At a special police court held at Tregaron on Tuesday, Avarina Parry, Henbant, Lledrod, Thos. Parry, Henbant, Lledrod, farmer, and Mary Parry, Ynysforgan, Lledrod, were charged by Henry Jones, Eggergors, Lledrod, farmer's son, with having committed perjury at the Tregaron Petty Sessions on June 28th. Wm. Ellis, Llauio- fawr, Llanio, farm servant, was charged by Avarina Parry with having committed perjury on the same date and at tie same place. The perjury was alleged to have taken place during the headng of an affiliation case in which the young woman named Avarina Parry was the complainant and Henry Jones, the (lefen,-Iant. One of the witnesses for the defence, named W. Ellis. then stated in evi- dence that when he was in service at complain int's farm complainant's two uncles, T. and M. Parry, and himself slept in the sa,ne room as complainant. Complainaot and three witnesses swore pisitively that this was not the case and that complainant always slept in a room by herself. The Bench decided to dismiss the case, Mr Wm. Jones, the chairman, stating that he took no part in the de- cision. Mr A. J. Hughes, solicitor, who appeared for Henry Jones, then applied for warrants on a charge of perjury against the complainant and her witnesses, and before the Court rose Mr Wm. Davies, solicitor, who represented the complainant, applied for a warrant on a similar charge against W m. Ellis. Great interest was centred in the pro- ceedings and the Court room was crowded some time before the cases were called on. There were close upon fifty people from the Lledrod district present. Mr A. J. Hughes, solicitor, Aberystwyth, appeared for Henry Jones and Wm Ellis, and Mr Wm. Davies, of the firm of Messrs Smith and Davits, Aberystwyth, appeared for Avarina Parry, Thos. Parry, and Mary Parry. The magistrates present were William Jones, Esq., Ffosheulog, in the chair; D. J. Williams, Esq., Pencein John Jones, Esq., Cilpill; Richard Jones. E'q., Bont, and Dr Morgan. Superintendent Phillips siid the first case down on the charge sheet was the affiliation case.—Mr William Davies thereupon proceeded to open the case.—Mr Arthur Hughes, interposing, said the perjury cases should be taken first. It would be a hardship on the accused persons if the affiliation case was taken first.-The Bench decided to hear the evidence on the charges of perjury in tfce first instanie. The Clerk said it was necessary to have the charges against the accused taken separately.— At the request of Mr Davies, all the witnesses were ordered out of Court.—The Chairman, re- marking upon the number of witnesses by Mr Hughes, said at the last hearing of the affiliation case Mr Hughes only produced one witness, although he gave a list of witnesses. Was he going to do the same in this case ?—Mr Hughes re- plied that if he found it necessary to call but one witness he would call but one in this case as well. In any case he would exercise his judgment.—The case against Avarina Parry was taaen first. Mr Hughes then addressed the Bench and di- lated upon the evidence given in the affiliation case and in reference to the unblemished character of the witnesses he was going to call. The story to be unfolded was a horrible one, the young woman, Avarina, having for years been sleeping in the same room as grown-up men. It was hardly credible that such a state of things was allowed to exist m a civilized country in the nineteenth century. The first witness would be the Clerk to the Bench who would give evidence as to the de positions of the witnesses in the affiliation case. J. Ernest Lloyd, deputy clerk, said he ac,e,l as clerk to the justices at the Petty Sessions held at Tregaron on June 2Sth at which Mr William J one-, Mr D. J. Williams, and Mr Richard Jones sat as magistrates in an affiliation e ise in which Henry Jones was defendant and Avarina Parry was com- plainant. Avarina Parry, the accused, was duly sworn and gave evidence in support of the application. He took down her evidence in writing and also the evidence of William Ellis. William Ellis stated that he was at Henbant for four years and that he slept in the same room aa complainant and Thomas Parry and Morgan Parry. There were separate beds and he (Ellis) saw Robert Evans there often. In cross-examination, Ellis said that he slept in the same room as complainant, the latter not sleeping in a room by herself. Morgan Parry, Thomas Parry, complainant, and himself slept in the same room. There was nothing between them. The room where they slept was above the kitchen. In the other room upstairs the old people slept. Witness added that Avarina Parry was re called and re sworn, when she stated I have heard what hst witness has said," meaning William Ellis, it is not true as to what he has said about the rooms. I sleep in a room by myself and my grandfather' and grandmother sleep downstairs. I never slept in the same room as Thomas and Morgan Parry." In cross-examination, she said the room downstairs had been a bedroom for years. Her grandfather had not been able to go upstairs for years. She slept in one of the two bedrooms upstairs whilst the boy Ellis and Morgan and Thomas Parry slept in the other. Richard Roberts, Towyfechan, farmer, was next called He stated that his wife was a sister to Margaret Parry, the grandmother of Avarina Parry. He had been in the habit during the past fourteen or fifteen years of visiting Henbant once or twice a year. Dur'ng the greater part of that time he kept the Henbant sheep on tack. He generally went to Henbant about Christmas-time and had paid a visit to the farm in each of the past six years and remained there for the night. Tnere were two bedrooms upstairs and two rooms riown- stairs, the kitchen being one of the latter. Witness when he stayed there slept in the same bed as Thomas Parry in the room above the kitchen. In the same room there slept in another bed Morgan Parry and the boy William Ellis. There was still another bed in the room and in this bed Avarina Parry slept. He believed she slept by herself. He did not see anybody with her. He was it Henbant in March and slept there the night. He occupied the same be in the same room. The beds contained the same occupants with the exception of Ellis, whose place was now taken by another servant boy of the name of David John Owen. Avarina Pany slept in the same bed in the same room as on former occasions. On each 4 ccc<>-ion he had slept there during the past six years the room wrs occupied by five persons, four men, including himself, and the young woman, Avarina Parry.—Cross examined by Mr Davi-s *TVitne?P aid his wife had been dead for two years. He often slept from home and had slept at Esgair- aort. He had paid up a;l he owed to the tenant of this farm. He had never been summoned for drunkenness, nor had he been forced to remain at Aberystwyth overnight owing to being too drunk to er> home. Neither was it true that one day he wen< from Machynlleth to Towyn instead of to Aber-stwyth 'by mistake through being under the influence of drink. He could not return to Aber- ystwyth the last train having gone. On his l*Jt visit to Henbant the grandmother and grandfather si -pt downstairs. Three years might have elapsed since he slept at Henbant previous to March last, He di 1 not remember the .xact time he paid his visi s. it was not true that he was drunk when e wert to bed at litil)aiit last March.—In re- ti by Mr Hughes, he said he was (lot i drunk when he slept at Henh-int and even if he had been he would Dot he drunk in the morning vvhen he woke. (Laughter ) He maintained that ;1, h .1 slept on"; in each year during tne past six years at H He had slept on more occasions than c,nc when William Evans slept in the same room. Evan Jones. -er,aut at Graigwen Fay m, Llanilar, stated that he was a servant at Henbant for liiht- n i,i, t i,'t' Ltt,,fi left four years ago. During the tim tIe was there tie same pec ple lived there as now, James Parry Margaret Parry, Avarina Parry, Thomas Parry, and Morgan Parry. There were two bedrooms upstairs. In on" of the bedrooms there were tEree beds. Witness slept in a bed by himself. Morgan Parry and Thomas Parry occu- pied a bet in tne i-ame room, whilst Avarina P-rry occupied a third bed in the same room. The ad- joining room was occupied by the old psop'.e.—In cross-examination, witness said he had been in several places since he left Henbant. Wm. El is, Llanio Fawr. farm servant, next gave evidence. He stated that on June 2Sth he gave evidence in the affiliation case on behalf of 'he de- i iendant Henry Jones. He was a ser,atit at Henbant for about four years and left last November. Evan Jones, the last witness, Mas pre- viously in service at the farm. The family con- sisted of the grandfather, graodmother, Avarina Parry, Thomas Parry, and Morgan Parry. The old people slept in one of tie t'" 0 bedrooms up- stairs. The other bedroom was occupied by i Morgan Parry, Tnomas Parry, Avarina Parry, and himself. There were three beds in the room. Morgan and Thomas slept in one bed. witness slept II in another, and Avarina Parry in the thir I. Duriug the period lie %vas at Heiil)ant there Wag Do be(] downstairs. He knew Rich-rl Roberts, Towy- fechan, whom ne saw at Henbant on several occasions He came there about once a year and occasionally sl-pt there. Rnbrit? slep1, with Thos. j; Parry and Morgan Parry slept with witness. There was no other alteration. John Parry, sou to James Parry, the grandfather, stayed there about two years ago and occupied the same bed as Tnos. Farry, whilst Morgan Parry slept with witness. He remembered John George and Daniel Jones coming to Heutant l^st October and speaking to the old people. At that time the old people slept upstairs and at the time George and Jones came James Parry, the grandfather, was in his bed up- stalrs.-Io cross-examination, witness said he could not say exactly the time Richard Roberts slept at Henbant. He could swear that during the four years he was at Henbant, Robert?, who came about once a year, visited the farm at least three times. During the time he was there Elizxbeth Davits pii(I a visit to the farm and stayed there for a short time. The old people slept in one of the two rooms upstars. He had been provoked by several pers-ms that he was the father of the child of Avarina Parry. He had been speaking on several occasions to Rose Phelps, his sweetheart, but he never said to her that Avarina Parry could easily swear the child.—In further cross-examination, witness said that on each occasion Roberts appeared and slept at the farm he was sober. At this stage, Mr Hughes said he had a large number of wi nesses to call, but if the Bench were satisfiad that there was a case made out, he would not call more than one witness. David John Owen said he was now in service at Henbant, where he went last November. He cor- roborated the previous witnesses as to how many the family consisted. There were two bedrooms at Henbant when he went there. There was no bedroom or bed downstairs at that timp, but last February the parlour downstairs was utilised as a bedroom and the old people occupied that room. From November up to June, witness, when there were no strangers in the house, slept alone in one bed in the bedroom above the kitchen. In the same room in another bed, Thomas and Morgan Parry slept, and in a third bed in the same room, Avarina Parry slept by herself. In June she re- moved to the bedroom formeily occupied by the old people. Avarina Parry was confined in the roim above the kitchen, that was, the room in which witness and Thomas and Morgan Parry slept. Dr Hughes attended to her during her confinement. During the time witness was there about Christ- mas, Richard Roberts slept at Henhant for one night. He slept with Thomas Parry, witness slept with Morgan, and Avarina Parry slept by herself. In June, David Benjamin, joiner, made the neces- sary alterations in the parlour, so as to convert it into a bedroom. His (witness's) brother Evan slept with witness at Henbant for a fortnight last hitsuntide. During that fortnight, Avarina Parry Elept in the same room.—In cross-examina- tion, wituess said from June :2nd to June 27th he was at home with a bad foot. During the time he was home, Avarina Parry removed from the bed- room above the kitchen to the one formerly occu- pied by the old people. He had spoken to Thos. Jones, Penlan, about the case, but Thomas Jones had not told him what to say in evidence that day. Witness made no answer as to why he tixed upon February as the month when the eld people re- moved downstairs to sleep. Mr Arthur Hughes asked if the Bench were satisfied that a prima facie case liai been made out? As they were aware, this was but a preliminary ioquiry. Mr William Davies-I think myself that my friend is far short of making out a prima facie case. The Clerk said the point at issue was as to the l,pecAip&zic,it qf the rooms. That would be eufficient at the present stage. The Bench, before giving their 'decision, ad j Turned the Court for half-an-hour for luncheon. At the resumed hearing, the magistrates were joined by Dr Morgan. The Bench stating nothing to the contrary, Mr Hughes proceeded to submit further evidence and called a young lad named Evan Owen, aged ten, of Penlanfach, Ystrad Meurig. The hoy said he was a brother of David John Owen, the previous witness. He went to Henbant on Whit Monday and slept there for a fortnight. He slept in the same bed as his brother. In the same r Jom, Thomas and Morgan Parry and Avarina slept, the latter sleeping in a bed by her- self.—In cross-examination, witness said he was asked by the landlord of Penlanfach to go to Tre- garon Petty Sessions and to tell the truth. He could not say what month was Whitsun or what month it was now.—In re-examination, he said he knew that there were a number of holidays during the year such as Christmas, Good Friday, Whitsun. Thomas Ellis of Yuystorgan, a brother to William Ellis, spoke to having visited Henbant frequently during the last two years. He was several times in the parlour, which was converted into a bedroom last February. Witness happened to be at Hen- bant in January when James Parry, the grand- father, was taken ill. He occupied the room over tne parlour upstairs ani was attended to by Dr Hughes of Llanilar.—In cross-examination, he said he did not see the old people in bed, but had seen the old man go upstairs to bed on several occasions. David NVilliame, of Llwynmerchgwilym, said he remembered calling at Henbant in December, 1896, in company with Thomas Alban and Dd. Morgan, Thomas and Mrs Parry were in the house at the time. He did not see James Parry or Avarina Parry. They came there to collect money fortheuse of the Common, and Thomas Parry went upstairs to his father James Parry to ask for the money. When Thomas Parry came downstairs he paid the money.-In cross-examination, he could not sarear as to who spoke to Thomas Parry upstairs, but he could swear to the old woman telling Thomas to go upstairs to his father. Mr Hughes called Thomas Alban, but afterwards said he would not call him, as he did not wish to labour the case. Mr Wm Davies-Call him by all means. Mr Hughes-No, I do not think I will. He will merely repeat what ba-s been said. °nVu^8 Ttere a gooi.reason why you donot cal. him. I say call him. Mr Hughes-I ahall call whom I please. Evidence was afterwards given by John George, Bryngarw, as to having called one day at Henbant when he was informed that James Parry, the old man, whom he sought, had gone upstairs to bed. The son went to his father upstairs and returned with a subscription of 15s towards a memorial for a deceased church warden. In cross-examination he said he did not hear the voice of the old man Thomas Alban, Pwllpridd, Lledrod, farmer, was agiin called. He spoke to having accompanied David v\ illiams and David Morgan to Henbant for payment in resppct of the Common. He heard Mrs Parry tell Thomas the son to go upstairs to his father who was iu bed. He heard conversa- tion upstairs and Thomas afterward came down and paid the claim.-In cross-examination, witness said he did not hear Mrs Parry tell her son to go upstairs where the money was kept. She heard him asking him to go to his father. Witness went to Penbont six years ago with the Vicar of the par sh to assist in making out the will of James Parry. He had been at Henbant some years before on a similar errand, the old man having made several wills. Daniel Jones of Esgergors Farm, a brother to Henry Jones, the complainant, next gave evidence. He remembered accompanying John George to Henbant in October last. There were at the farm at the time of his visit the old people, Avarina, and Thomas and Morgan Parry. George and wit- nesi called for a subscription towards a memorial fund. James Pariy, the old man,who was upstairs in bed, give his son 15s towards the object.—In cross-examination, he said he had no idea as to the dates of his previous visits to Henbant. John Richards, in the employ of John Davies, saddler, Tregaron, said he was engaged at Ynys- forgan Farm from 1893 to 1895, being there about eighteen months. He frequently visited Henbant during that time and noticed that there was no bed in the parlour at the farm. Witness said he used to tease Avarina Parry about her sweethearts and she said she could not go out sweethearting through Old Thomas sleeping in the same room as her.—In cross-examination, witness said he never slept at Henbant. He was subpoenal! that morning, the summons being handed to him by Dauiel .Joms, the previous witness, a brother to Henry'Ji nes. Evan Davies, Brynsae., Lledrnd, railwayman, sail he had a conversation with Mrs Parry last Frbruary in the presence of Avarina Parry. In reply t > his inquiry, Mrs Parry said her husband was in better health than usual. She added that that moruing they had brought the bed from the room upstairs down to tne parlour.—In cross-exam- ination, witness saH the ganger over him wa< the father of the two lads named Owen who had given evidencetl at day. Mis Williams said she was the wife of the Yicar of Lied rod. She was at Henbant iu the spring of | 1S94. She found Mrs Parry in a bedroom upstairs by herself. AI a. i, a PHry was in th.. other room ujsta rs. She did not see how many beds there wtre in Avarina Parry's room.—In closs,examina iion. witness said she had not been upstairs in Henbant since then. The Chairman remarked that if all the witnesses had been called at the affiliation case, these proceed illIL's %vot,,I,l Ila, c I)e(,n unnecessary. Mr Hughes hoped that the Cnairman would give him crelit of having acte 1 to the best of his ability in the matter. T 11 li.e i^i ainnan — i no not oiame you au. Davi I Ellis, Commins, collector of income tax ind land tax, said he was at Henbint in January )r February of 1897. WniUt he wa-c there James Parry complained of feeling ill and he was assisted ipstairs to his bed by Thomas Parry and Avarina Parry. Mr Hughes said that was his case. The Cl-rk then read the charge to Avarina Parry ind Mr Davies, on her behalf, said she had no state- men': to make. Mr William Davies, opening the case for the defence siid he had taken part in many cases, but he lmi ncvir heard a weaker and more feeble prose jution than the one which had been brought for- ward that day. The evidence started with Richard Roberts, who was one of the most pitiable objects that he h-id ever seen in a witness box. First he 3 -.id he had slept once every year at Henbant and afterward said he could not say whether he had slept there during the three years previous to March. All the witnesses for the prosecution were certain as to one date only. As to other datfs, when questioned they said tnty had no idea. He hoped the Bench would put no credence on the evidence of the lads Owen who hardly understood the n tture of an oath. The evidence was all of a parroty styl-i and practically finished with the depositions of Daniel Jones, Henry Jones's brother, who failed to swear as to any dates except one. It was a very flimsy case indeed and, on the evidence, he did not see that a prima facie cise had been made cut. He left it to the Bench to state whether it was necessary for him to call any witnesses for the defence. The Chairman-Yes, please we will hear both sides. Thomas Parry, uncle of Avarina Parry, was the first witness for the defence. He renembered Rd. Roberts visiting Henbant last March. It was not during Christmas. Roberts sl. p" with him on the occasion of his visit.—Mr Davies questioned wit- ness as to whether he was called that night to take Roberts from a certain public house when Mr Hughes objected.—In further reply to Mr Davies, witness said Avarina Parry blepc that night in the bedroom above the parlour. She was alone.—In er,s-i-examina-icn by Mr Arthur Hughes, witness said he was summoned to attend that day on a charge of perjury. He adhered to the statement which he made at the hearing of the affiliation case. Dr Hughes attended upon his father and also upon Avarina when she had the child. The doctor attended upon her in the room above the parlour. He never thought that Dr Hughes would De a most important witness at that days' pro- ceedings. There was no witness to come forward that day who was not a relation of their family. Richard Robert had not slept at Henbant tor many years previous to March. He was saying what was untrue if he said he had been there for several years since then. All the other witnesses said what was untrue. He was the only man who sp ike the trtth. (Laughter.) David Ellis said what was untrue in saying that he had assisted his father upstairs to bed. He had not slept up- stairs for four or five years. At the time of the visirof Mrs Williams, his father might have been sleeping upstairs. At the time of the visit of John George and Daniel Jones in Occober last, witness's father was in bed in the parlourdownstiirs. HediJ not go to his father at all as he had spoken to him before as to what sum to give. Elizabeth Davies, Bank Maldwyn, had slept at Henbant when the child was born, but they had not brought her there that day to give evidence. His brother, John Parry, had slept; at Henhant three years ago, but he was not there that day. All who were to give evidence that day as to the bedroom arrange- ments were members of the family. The parlour was converted into a bedroom four years ago. Evan Davies said what was untrue if he said his mother stated in February last that that was the day they removed the bed from upstairs to the parlour. His mother was not in a tit state to travel to Tregaron that day.In re-examination, he said they kept their money upstairs. Mrs Wildams probably said what was true when she said that his mother slept upstairs in 1894. Mary Parry, Ynysforgan, aunt of Avarina Parry, who next gave evidence, said she was at Henbant when Avarina, her niece, was confined. The child was born in the bedroom above the parlour. Witness last summer slept on several occasions with her niece at Henbant and on one occasion on three successive nights. They slept in the room above the parlour.—In cross-examination, witness said that the parlour was converted into a bedroom for her father and mother. She maintained that this was true even if a thousand people said anything to the contrary. (Laughter.) The Chairman said the Court would be cleared if there were any further ebullition of that nature by the public. They had no right to be present at all. Dd. Morgan, Ffosgoi, who accompanied Thomas Albm and David Williams to Henbant in regard to the payment in respect to the Common, said he did not then understand that the old man slept up- stairs.—In cross-examination, witness said he could not svear that the old man was not upstairs.— In re-examination, witness said he went to Hen- bant about four years ago to borrow £2. It was about nine at night. The old m'ln was then in the pirlour. He thought he was in bed, but could not swear that he was, as he did not enter the parlour. Thomas Parry, the son, went to the old man in the parlour for the money. He could not say where the old people slept during the past two years. The parlour had been fitted up ais a bedroom. Mr Arthur Hughes tnen replied, stating that as it was a criminal case he had the right to do so. He stated that a shameful amount of perjury was going on at county courts, petty sessions, and other courts, and in this case he thought the charge had been proved up to the hilt. On the evidence adduced, it was perfectly clear that the young woman Avarina Parry had slept in the same room as grown-up people for at least four years. Having remarked upon what he considered cruel and un- duly severe cross-examination of Richard Richards, Mr Hughes referred to the evidence ot the lacts Owen, and said that all the accounts given were consistent and showed which side was telling the truth. The chief witnesses on the other side could not alter their account as they would prove by their own words that they were guilty of perjury at the last Court. Dr Hughes, John Parry, and Elizabeth Davies, who would have formed most important witnesses, had not been summoned by the defence. They would be able to state once and for all as to whether Avarina Parry occupied the same room and was confined in the room where grown-up men slept. On the evidence, it was indisputable that a prima facie case had been made out. Mr William Davies explained that the old people, Mr and Mrs Parry, who were eighty years of age, were unable to attend the Courr, Tregaion being situated too far from their home. Their evidence on commission could be taken, however, and sub- mitted later. Mr Hughes said evidence on commission could not be taken in criminal cases and the Clerk up- held this view. The Bench deliberated in piivate and the Chair- man, giving the decision, said the magistrates were unanimous of opinion that the Clse was one which should be inquired and looked into and they com mitted the accused, Avarina Parry, to take her trial at Carmarthen Assizes. Mr Davies inquired whether the Bench would proceed with the charges against the two other accused or the charge against Ellis ? He was pre- pared to go into it. The Bench decided to adjourn the hearing of the other cases to the ordinary meeting of the Court to be held in three weeks. Accused, Avarina Parry, was then bound in the sum of 120 to appiar at the Assizs, and David Morgan and David Parry were bound in the sum of f20 each as sureties.—The Court rose after sitting for over six hours.

TALFRONT

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M-A.("flyiNLLETH.

DOLUELLEY.

NORTH CARDIGANSHIRE HORTI…

LLANBADAtfN FAWR.

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