QSR1855/3/5/58

Depositions of Mary Wheatly, daughter of Henry Wheatly, labourer of Broom and Sarah Dawes, spinster of Broom. In the case of George Presland, labourer of Biggleswade, accused of assaulting with the intent to ravish and carnally know Mary Wheatley.

30 June 1855

From: 1855 To: 1855

Mary Wheatly: she lived with her mother and father at Broom in the parish of Southill. On 29 June, about 9.30pm, her mother sent her on an errand to Biggleswade, which was about a mile and a half. She met Sarah Dawes and remained with her until she had completed her business. They then went to the Bear public house where a young man by the name of John Samuel was waiting for her. She saw Henry Albone and George Presland whilst in the Bear. There were in the kitchen. Albone had beer and made them drink with him. They stayed about half an hour and then all went out together. She did not notice which way Presland and Albone went. She stood in the street talking to John Samuel and then they set off together to walk to Broom. When they got about a quarter of the mile from the town, Albone and Presland rushed out from the side of the road and seized hold of her. They pulled her from Samuel and Albone tipped her up and she fell on her back. He then threw himself on top of her and pulled up her petticoats. [description of the assault……..] Presland knelt down and held her. Dawes and Ann Faulkner, who were going home to Broom came up. The men let her go and she walked home with the other girls, with the men following. Before they got to Broom, Albone seized hold of her again but she called out and he let her go. She was so exhausted that she fainted. When she got home and told her mother. Sarah Dawes: on 23 June she had been walking towards home from Biggleswade with Ann Faulkner. About a quarter of a mile from Biggleswade she heard a girl call out as if she was being ill used. She came up to George Presland and asked him what was the matter and he told her to go on as listeners never heard any good of themselves. As the noise continued she went towards it and about 20 yards up the field she saw Henry Albone down on the ground. There was a girl under him. It was Mary Wheatly. He had a knee on her chest, a hand on her mouth and was endeavouring to pull up her petticoats with the other. She told him to get up or she would swear her life against him. He told her it was no business of hers but he let Wheatly up. She then went with Mary Wheatly up the road and joined Ann Faulkner. Mary Whealy fainted. As soon as she recovered they went home. Albone and Presland were with them. Wheatly lagged a little behind. She heard Wheatly call out again and directly afterwards Wheatly joined them again. Statement of the accused: he had done nothing wrong.

item

Presland, George,
Wheatly, Mary,
Wheatly, Henry,
Dawes, Sarah,
Faulkner, Ann,
Samuel, John

BIGGLESWADE, Broom, assault, sex crimes, Biggleswade Bear