QSR1852/3/5/33b

Depositions of William Staniford, bricklayer of Woburn, Henry Veasey, surgeon of Woburn, William Clay, police constable of Aspley Guise and Emma Staniford, a minor. In the case of Alick Smart, accused of unlawfully assaulting Emma Staniford with felonious intent.

24 June 1852

From: 1852 To: 1852

Emma Staniford: 10 year old daughter of William and Mary Staniford of Woburn. Her father was a bricklayer. She knew the prisoner; he had often spoken to them and gave her half a penny more than once. He had kissed her several times and tried to take liberties with her. He had pulled up her petticoats and thrown her down and laid upon her several times. She was with Mary Jane Axby in Croholt Meadow when the prisoner came up to her. They were close to the hedge and he wanted her to lie down. He tried to pull her down. She lay down by herself and when she was on the ground her undid his trousers and pulled up her petticoats and lay on top of her. She found his person near hers and he tried to get in between her legs but did not do so. She wanted him to get up but he would not do so. He was on her for about 3 minutes and when he got up he went one way and the girls the other. When she was on the ground the prisoner did not hurt her, only her legs as he was laying in them. She returned home and her father asked what she had been doing and she told him what the prisoner had done to her. The prisoner had often told her not to tell anyone. Mary Jane Axby: 10 year old daughter of James and Eliza Axby of Woburn. Her father is a labouring man. She knew Alick Smart. She and Emma Staniford were walking in the fields at Woburn when he approached them and asked Emma to lie down with him. She was going to do so when he pushed her down. She saw him undo his trousers and got on top of her. Mary Jane stood by. Emma wanted him to get up but he could not do so. He lay on the ground for some minutes and she saw Emma had her petticoats up. She went away with Emma and the prisoner went the other way. He had told her to knock his back with a stick if she saw anyone coming. She did see someone and knocked his back with the stick. William Staniford: father of Emma. On 24 June the Superintendent of Police told him that his child and another little girl were up in a field and that some man had been taking liberties with them. He went to search for Emma and found her in London Road. He asked her what she had been doing and she said she had been with Mr Smart and he had put his hand upon her stomach and touched her there. He did not question her any further. Henry Veasey: He examined Emma Staniford and found slight marks of violence externally but no evidence of penetration. There were sufficient bruises to prove an attempt. William Clay: he attended Croholt fields with the Superintendent of Police, and they saw the prisoner there. He was ordered to take him into custody. He saw 3 little girls running away and asked the prisoner their names. He said they were Emma Staniford and Polly Axby. He asked the prisoner what he had been doing with the girls and he said he had been playing with them but not hurting them. He asked the prisoner what they had been playing and he replied "I have been playing at lying upon them" and he repeated he had not hurt them. He said also said he had given them a halfpenny a piece.Statement of the accused: "I hope you will have mercy upon me this time".

item

Smart, Alick,
Axby, Mary Jane,
Axby, James,
Veasey, Henry,
Clay, William,
Staniford, Emma

WOBURN, assault, sex crimes, surgeon