QSR1880/1/5/16

Deposition of Frederick Winser, licensed victualler of Cranfield, Salome Winser, his wife and Fanny Gilbert, his step daughter, Richard Wooding, labourer of Cranfield and John Harpur of Cranfield. In the case of Samuel Harris accused of the indecent assault of Fanny Gilbert.

24 December 1879

From: 1879 To: 1880

Fanny Gilbert: a single woman living at Cranfield with her mother and stepfather. She was 19 years old and her stepfather kept the Swan public house. On 15 December the prisoner and several others came into the tap room. Richard Ping called for a quart of ale and she went to the cellar to fetch it. She took it to the table and set it down. Ping said he’d pay in a minute so she went and sat in the corner of the screen to wait. Samuel Harris came over to her and threw his right arm across her and with his other hand lifted her feet above her body. He was on her left. He put his hand up her clothes and she called out. He put his hand as far as he could and touched her private parts. He told her he wanted to see if she had her handkerchief on. The screen fell and her step father came in and caught it. She left the room. The prisoner returned the same night and her mother told him to leave her alone. He said he had done nothing. On 22 December he came to the house and she saw him in the Tap room with her mother and father present. He said he would give her anything not to go before the bench. She said she wanted her character and that of the house cleared and did not want money. (Cross examination) she had lived there for 9 months. About 4 months previous, a man her annoyed her by following her out of the house. She had heard talk in the house of measuring her legs. Lancaster was sat nearest the screen. She fell with the screen and Harris had pulled her up. Richard Wooding: a labourer at Cranfield. On 15 December he went with Harris and others to the Swan public house. Ping asked for beer and Fanny Gilbert fetched it. When she was gone, Harris made a remark about grabbing her. Gilbert came back and put the beer on the table. Ping said he’d pay in a minute and Gilbert say down by the screen. Harris took hold of her and put his right arm round her shoulder. He was on her right. He put his arm round in front of her. He did not see him do anything with his left arm. He saw the screen fall back and her saw her knees. John Harpur: was also in the tap room and recalled Fanny Gilbert bringing some beer for Ping. Ping said he’d pay in a minute and Gilbert sat by the screen. Harris went and sat on her right. He saw him put his left arm round her and lift her clothes up with his other hand. He saw her knees. She struggled and the screen fell. He had never heard of her legs being measured. Salome Winser: mother of Fanny Gilbert. On 15 December her daughter told her of the interference. The prisoner later came back and she told him not to darken her door again. He swore at her. Later that night he followed her and her husband out of the tap room and said he hoped nothing would come of the case. He returned on 22 December and offered money in exchange for them not proceeding. He told her to draw the best ale or spirit and she refused. She told him that for the sake of her daughter character and that of the house, they would summon him. Frederick Winser: occupier of the Swan public house. On 15 December the defendant came to the house. He came again a week later and called for a pint. Harris said he hoped he would do nothing of the case. He told Harris it was not for his benefit and Harris offered to make it up and would give money to the girl. He refused to settle. It had been Christmas and that delayed the summons. Statement of the accused: “I am not guilty”.

item

Harris, Samuel,
Winser, Salome,
Gilbert, Fanny,
Wooding, Richard,
Harpur, John

CRANFIELD, Cranfield Swan, sex crimes, innkeeper