QSR1881/3/5/3

Depositions of William Sheppard, superintendent of police, Hannah Dyer, a minor of Eaton Bray, George Edwins, a labourer of Eddleborough and Sarah Dyer, widow of Eaton Bray. In the case of George Horn accused of assaulting Hannah Dyer with the intent to violently and against her will ravish and carnally know her.

14 June 1881

From: 1881 To: 1881

Hannah Dyer: 20 years old and single, living with her mother in Eaton Bray. On 5 June she went to her sisters in Bower Lane and left about 10 o’clock. About 20 yards from the green, the prisoner caught hold of her by her waist. She knew him by sight, and he lived at Ivinghoe. He asked her to go up the road with him and she refused. George Edwins came up whilst they were talking and she asked him to stay with her. The prisoner went away. She stayed with Edwins about 20 minutes and then went up the road towards home. Opposite the Buckmasters, the prisoner caught hold of her and dragged her up against the church. He threw her to the ground and undid his trousers. She screamed, he stooped, got off her and left. She went towards home and he walked with her for half a mile. He still had his clothes undone and he asked her o go with him. He put his hand up her clothes and pulled at them. He left her at Meads. She told her mother as soon as she got home. Her clothes were covered in dirt. {cross examination] she had not drunk with him at the Hoop and Anchor and did not follow him up the lane. George Edwins: lived at Eddlesborough and was a labourer. He was drinking at the Hoop and Anchor in Eaton Bray on 5 June and was the prisoner there. He left with the prisoner. As they came down the lane, Hannah Dyer caught up with them. Near the green, he saw Horn put his arm around her waist and ask her to go up the road. Dyer said she would not and asked him to stay with her until Horn was gone. He stayed with her for about 20 minutes. She went off towards the church and he went towards Eddlesbourgh. He did not see Dyer at the public house. Sarah Dyer: a widow of Eaton Bray and mother of Hannah. On 5 June her daughter returned home about 11 o’clock and complained of ill-treatment. Her clothes were covered in dirt. The next day, Hannah told her the name of the man who had ill-treated her. Statement of the accused – George Horn: he had gone to Eaton Bray to see some mates and went with them in the evening to the Hoop and Anchor. The complainant was drinking with them. They left at 10 o’clock and went down the road; Hannah Dyer followed. When they got to the green, he went towards the church where he stopped to speak to a man. The complainant came up and asked about a man called Seer. He went with her down the road and asked if she was going home. She relied she did not know and wanted some money. He gave her sixpence. He did catch hold of her but did not hurt her. She would not let him have anything to do with her. They parted at Eaton Green and she said her mother would blow her up if she let him go with her.

item

Dyer, Hannah,
Horn, George,
Sheppard, William,
Edwins, George,
Dyer, Sarah

EATON BRAY, Eddlesborough, sex crimes, assault