QSR1875/4/5/4

Depositions and examination - Edward Baker of Toddington, apprentice to Alfred Fowler, charged with indecently assaulting Louisa Fowler age 6 1/2 at Toddington on 26 August 1875

10 September 1875

From: 1875 To: 1875

Sarah Fowler, wife of Alfred Fowler of Toddington, grocer – Baker is an apprentice to her husband and lives out of the house. He is 16 years of age. On Thursday 26 August between 6 and 7pm she missed her child. Baker was left in charge of the shop. She called her daughter, who answered from a loft adjoining a washhouse. Her daughter came down looking very ill – very pale and frightened. She asked what was the matter. Baker then came down from the loft. She asked the child what he had been doing. She told Baker he should be locked up. She accused him of trying to contaminate her child. Baker was very confused. That raised her suspicions. Her husband then came in. [Cross-examined] She employed Dr Waugh to examine the child. There were no marks of violence or injury. Alfred Fowler of Toddington, grocer – Baker has been with him 15 months. On 26 August he left Baker in charge of the shop while he was attending to his books. From what his wife said he went into the shop to Baker and told him he should take him home to his friends. Baker’s parents live at Toddington. He took Baker with him and saw his parents. He said he was sorry to bring Ted home, he had reason to believe to believe he had committed an indecent assault on his [Fowler’s] child. Baker’s mother asked what he had done. He told her and said Baker would have to go to the lock-up for it. They begged him to have compassion on Baker. The next morning he went to Baker’s parents. Baker was present. He accused Baker of a serious assault. His mother asked if Baker did it. Baker eventually admitted he did. He called in the doctor to examine her. There were no marks of violence. [Cross-examined] He took no warrant out. The mother slapped the boy’s head in the evening of 26 August. Henry Quenby, police sergeant stationed at Toddington. – he apprehended Baker on a warrant on 7 September and charged him with assaulting Louisa Fowler. Baker said “I suppose I must go. I know I was a fool”. Edward Baker – “I am advised to say nothing”.

item

Baker, Edward,
Fowler, Alfred,
Fowler, Louisa,
Fowler, Sarah,
Quenby, Henry

TODDINGTON, sex crimes, child abuse, police sergeant, grocer