QSR1890/3/5/3

Depositions of Ellen Cook, singlewoman of Aspley Guise, Sarah Daniels, wife of Daniel Daniels of Aspley Guise, Eliza Cook, wife of Edward John Cook, a labourer of Aspley Guise and Frederick Askew, police constable of Aspley Guise. In the case of James Corkett accused of the indecent asssault of Ellen Cook.

12 April 1890

From: 1890 To: 1890

Ellen Cook: a single woman of 18 years of age and living with her mother and father at Aspley Guise. She had known James Corbett for some time and she was a friend of his wife. On 23 April she went to Woburn Sands and on her way back she called at the defendant’s house to enquiring of his wife who was expecting confinement. She arrived about 8.45pm and the accused was having his supper. His wife was in the room. The defendant asked if she would like a few greens and she did not reply. She sat and spoke to them both and when the defendant finished his supper he got up and lit his pipe. The defendant said “I’ll come and kiss you” and he came towards her but she would not let him. He caught hold of her and pulled up her clothes and threw her on the floor. She felt his hand touch her private parts and she struggled to get away but he would let her. She called out and hollered ‘murder’. He told her if she did not stop the noise he would pull it right up. His trousers were undone. His wife sat in the room all the time and laughed at them. She asked her to tell him to go away but she would not but after a time she came and pulled her husband off. Mrs Corkett told her husband to go and cut some meat for tomorrow and he said he must go and wash his hands. Ellen Cook said she would go and tell her father and also tell PC Askew. She went home and told her mother. Her drawers were torn by the defendant. Her hat was smashed and her dress torn. Sarah Daniels: wife of Daniel Daniels, a groom living in Aspley Guise. She lived next door to the defendant. On 23 April she was ironing in her house about 9pm. She heard a scream followed by a noise like chairs were being moved in the Corkett house. The noise continued for some minutes. She remarked upon it to her husband. Eliza Cook: Wife of Edward John Cook a labourer of Aspley Guise. Ellen Cook was her daughter. On 23 April she left how to go to Woburn Sands and returned about 9.30pm. She was crying when she came in and she made a complaint against the defendant. In consequence she examined her daughter’s clothes and found dust and dirt on her jacket. Her drawers and dress were torn and her hat dented. She went out and gave information to the police. PC Frederick Askew: on 23 April he received information of the matter. On 24 he apprehended the defendant on a warrant. The defendant said “all right I will go with you”. Statement of the accused: he was not guilty of indecent assault. Statement on behalf of the defendant – Mary Corkett: wife of the defendant. Ellen Cook frequently came to this house but never when her husband was not home. If he was not home, Ellen Cook stayed until he came home. She saw nothing further on 23 April than she had seen for the last 2 years. She had often told her she came to see her husband not her.

9 pages

item

Corkett, James,
Cook, Ellen,
Cook, Eliza,
Daniels, Sarah,
Askew, Frederick

ASPLEY GUISE, sex crimes