QSR1882/4/5/2

Depositions of George Cork, labourer of Westoning, his wife Charlotte Cook, Joseph Vass, labourer of Flitton, Samuel Dix, labourer of Flitwick, William Goodman, labourer of Flitton and Charles Harlow, police constable of Ampthill. In the case of Alfred Baldwin accused of assaulting Charlotte Cook with intent to ravish and carnally know.

8 August 1882

From: 1882 To: 1882

Charlotte Cook: wife of George and living in Westoning. On 8 August she was walking alone along the road from Ampthill to Westoning between 3 and 4pm. In Flitwick, near the running waters, she looked back and saw a man in uniform coming after her. He overtook her and said “Good afternoon my dear” twice. She made no reply. He came in front of her and she pushed him back to get him out of the way. He put his hand up her petticoats. She told him she was married. He put his hand round her neck and threw her into a ditch. She called for help and screamed “murder”. He put his hand over her mouth and threatened to kill her if she shouted again. [Description of the assault …….] A man named Dicks came up and pulled her from under the prisoner. Two other men, Vass and Goodman, also came up. During the struggle the prisoner scratched her neck and chin severely and her dress was torn. The prisoner did not succeed in having connection with her. When the other men came the prisoner ran into a wheat field and they went after him. She remained in the road until he was caught and then followed him to Ampthill police station. Her legs were bruised in the struggle. She had never sent the prisoner before and was not examined by a doctor. Joseph Vass: a labourer living at Flitton and working on the Midland Railway. On 8 August he was on the embankment and could see a good deal of the road. Charlotte Cook was coming along the road from Ampthill and he saw the prisoner behind her. The prisoner overtook Cook and said something. He saw Mrs Cook step into the middle of the road and the prisoner put his arm around her and the other up her clothes. He heard her tell the prisoner to leave her alone and that she was married. They got near the ditch, she screamed “murder” and Baldwin threw her into the ditch. He called his mates and Dix ran to the spot and caught hold of the woman and pulled her out. Vass was a cripple and could not move quickly. When Dix pulled Mrs Cook out her clothes were up. The prisoner tried to hit Dix with his belt and then ran off into a field when he saw Vass and Goodman coming. Mr Sharp, the occupier of the field, and Dix caught Baldwin. Samuel Dix: A labourer living at Dennel End in Flitwick. He was working for Vass on the Midland Railway embankment on 8 August. From what Vass told him, he ran down the embankment, across a field and into the road. In the ditch he saw the prisoner and Mrs Cook. She was at the bottom and Baldwin on top. He got Mrs Cook out of the ditch. Mrs Cook's clothes were up and the prisoner trousers undone. When he got up, the prisoner buttoned up his trousers and asked what it had to do with him. The prisoner took off his belt and threatened to strike him with it. He told him he had better not as he had mates nearby. Goodman and Vass came up and the prisoner ran into the field, they caught him. He believed the prisoner had been drinking but was not drunk. William Goodman: a labourer living in Flitton and working with Vass and Dix on the Midland Railway. In consequence of what Vass said, they went down the road. He saw Dix and Mrs Cook coming from the hedge. He went to assist Dix and saw the prisoner button his trousers. The prisoner took off his belt and then ran away towards Ampthill. He helped to catch the prisoner and take him to the station. Charles Harlow: a police constable stationed at Ampthill. On 8 August he was summoned to Flitwick Road and met the prisoner in the charge of Goodman, Vass and others. The complainant was there and charged him with attempting to rape her. Statement of the accused: with reference to Dix and the belt, Dix said he had mates handy. His mate said he saw the woman clothes up, which was impossible. He could not see how other people could see or hear anything.

item

Baldwin, Alfred,
Cook, Caroline,
Cook, George,
Vass, Joseph,
Dix, Samuel,
Goodman, William,
Harlow, Charles

FLITWICK, WESTONING, FLITTON, AMPTHILL, sex crimes, Midland Railway Company