QSR1855/1/5/32

Depositions of Caroline Daisley, spinster of Potton, Henry Raynes, surgeon of Potton, Jane Smith and Fanny Smith. In the case of Solomon Smith, labourer of Potton, accused of assaulting Fanny Smith, an infant under the age of 10 years, with the intent to abuse.

6 December 1854

From: 1854 To: 1855

Fanny Smith: aged 7 years old. On 4 December between 7 and 8pm she had been standing against Mr Bank’s gate in the parish of Sutton. Solomon Smith was present and carried her into the barn. He was her cousin. He laid her down in the barn and pulled up her petticoats. He pulled down his breeches and laid himself upon her. He put his private parts against her and hurt her a great deal. He then went away and said he would stick her if she told anybody. As soon as she came out she saw Caroline Daisley who asked her what had happened. She told Daisley. Solomon had once down the same thing. It had been a long time ago and was down in the Spinney. Caroline Daisley: she lived next door to Fanny Smith. Between 7 and 8pm on 4 December she met Fanny Smith as she was coming out of Mr Bank’s gate. This was about a chain and a half from the barn. There seemed to be something the matter and she kept moaning and putting her hand to her private parts. She asked her what the matter was and Fanny told her that Solomon Smith had been meddling with her in the barn. Fanny told her he had threatened to stick it to her if she told anyone. She went home with Fanny and told her mother and father. As she was going along with Fanny they met Solomon who looked at her but did not speak to her. He was coming from the back way out of the barn. Henry Raynes: a surgeon practicing in Potton. On 5 December, Fanny Smith’s father came with a police man and requested he examine Fanny, on whom it was said an attempted rape had been committed. He examined her then but then more thoroughly next day by day light. There appeared to be a slight inflammation of the parts affected and a scratch on her right groin. The hymen was not ruptured but she complained of a good deal of pain. Jane Smith: wife of Henry Smith and stepmother to Fanny. She did not learn of the matter until told by Caroline Daisley. She examined the child’s private parts and they seemed inflamed and red. There were some stains on her linen which she believed must have come from Solomon. Statement of the accused: he was not there. He was with 2 more chaps down at the blacksmith shop. His uncle, Thomas Stratton was one and when Stratton went home, he went up town with Radford Papworth [?]. He came back and met Solomon Giddings against Mr Bank’s and then went home and went to bed.

item

Smith, Solomon,
Smith, Fanny,
Smith, Jane,
Dailsey, Caroline,
Raynes, Henry,
Stratton, Thomas

POTTON, SUTTON, sex crimes, surgeon