QSR1888/2/5/4-5

Depositions of Annie Townsend of 192 Park Street, Luton. In the case of George Townsend & William Townsend accused of indecently assaulting Annie Townsend.

24 March 1888

From: 1888 To: 1888

Annie Townsend: she was to be 16 in November and her father was George Townsend. He was at work all day and she was the eldest girl at home. Her mother had run away about 2 years previous, leaving 11 behind. On 20 March about 3pm she was sat in the kitchen. Her brother George and William were in the room. William swore at her. He got hold of the leg of the chair and pulled it from under her. She fell on the floor, he pulled up her clothes and took his person out. She had her legs crossed and she screamed “murder”. There was no one else in the house. He swore again and said he would have it if it got him 14 days. George Townsend told him to tear her drawers and put chairs on her legs. William tore her drawers but could not do anything. She went and told her father directly. That evening William knocked her about and tore out her hair. He messed her about the following week, dragged her dress off of her and behaved indecently. He did the same again on the Monday. She had told her father of it before. Statements of the accused: nothing to say.

6 pages

item

Townsend, Annie,
Townsend, George,
Townsend, William

LUTON, sex crimes, assault, incest