QSR1849/1/5/29

Depositions of Mary Pates, wife of Joseph, Robert Day, butcher and George Underline, labourer all of Stotfold. In the case of William Albone of Stotfold accused of assault with the intent to ravish.

14 December 1848

From: 1848 To: 1849

Mary Pates: when walking from Stotfold to Baldock, she saw a group of 3 boys standing opposite the meeting in Stotfold. Albone was one of this group. He had a stick with which he tried to raise her petticoat. She told him to stop but he followed her a little distance. Having crossed the bridge the accused came from behind and put his hands around her. She cried for help. The smaller 2 boys ran away. The prisoner threw her on her back and lifted her petticoats, let down his breeches and threw himself on top of her. He tried to connect with her. She struggled, this lasted about 10 minutes. He heard someone coming and ran away. The gentleman who came chased after him. Robert Day came to her. Her husband did not return that night but she told him the following morning. She went to Mr Hawkes, the police constable and left him her dirted frock. She described her attacker to the police. Robert Day: on walking back from Baldock to Stotfold he met Mrs Pates and also saw 3 boys at the side of the road. He met with 2 men he knew and stopped to talk. They were talking when they heard a female voice cry out. They went to see. When within 40 yards he saw the boy run off into the field. Day ran after the boy but did not catch him. On returning, Mrs Pates was with the 2 men to which he had been talking and was crying. She told him that she had been hurt very much and that Albone had been trying to connect with her. George Underline: was with Albone and another when they saw Mary Pates heading toward Baldock. He, Albone and another boy who all lived with Charles Miller followed her. Albone went up to her, took hold of her and threw her to the ground. Underline and the other boy ran away. Whilst running they they heard Pates shout out. On seeing Albone an hour later, he told them not to say anything about it. William Albone: stated they had seen Pates as they stood near the chapel. They had followed her and she had spoken to them. They then walked off.

item

Albone, William,
Pates, Joseph,
Pates, Mary,
Day, Robert,
Hawkes,
Miller, Charles

STOTFOLD, Baldock, assault, sex crimes