The hearing of the charge of perjury preferred against Police-Serjeant
Cottle and Police-Constable Bradbury was concluded at Aldershot Police-Court on Wednesday, and the defendants were committed to take their triaL The strongest possible evidence was adduced to show that Miss Millard was not a prostitute ; but this does not prove that the policemen were guilty of perjury. If they really believed what they swore, they have, of course, committed no offence. Several witnesses called by the police testified to the disorderly con- duct of the prosecutrix on frequent occasions, and swore to conduct which, though it would not prove the prosecutrix to be a prostitute, was likely enough to make the constables believe her to be somewhat disreputable. In connection with the same case, Superintendent Brinson was called upon to answer a summons preferred against him for alleged neglect of duty in refusing to grant bail to Alice Millard when she applied for it. Ultimately, the Bench decided that the charge was proved, and fined the Superintendent 5s. and 15sf costs,—a sum which seems inadequate if the Superintendent illegally withheld bail from a person entitled to it.
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