QSR1847/4/5/14

Depositions and examination - William Pacey charged wtih assaulting and attempting to ravish Elizabeth Potts at Milton Bryan on 27 July 1847

28 August 1847

From: 1847 To: 1847

Elizabeth Potts of Toddington – she was 12 last January. She lives with her parents at Toddington. On 27 July she was going to Woburn on an errand. As she was passing the Washbrook in the lane between Toddington and Milton she stopped a minute and looked into the brook. Pacey was cutting thistles by the road side about 10 or 12 yards away. It was about 2 or 3pm. As she was standing Pacey came up to her [… description of assault …] After the assault she saw Mr Osborn coming along the road. Pacey saw him and went to his work. She went towards Mr Osborn, crying. He asked what was the matter. She told him Pacey wanted to throw her down. Mr Osborn went with her to Pacey. She did not tell then what Pacey had done to her. She went on to Woburn and then back to Toddington. She told her mother the same as she told Mr Osborn. She was afraid to tell what Pacey had done. She never saw Pacey before. She saw him later in Toddington and showed him to her mother. On the following Sunday she noticed a discharge. She told her mother a week after that. Harry Osborn of Milton, farmer – a month ago he was on the road from Milton to Toddington. He met the little girl (Elizabeth Potts) walking along crying. He asked what was the matter. She said “that man has been pulling me about”. He asked her in what way – she did not reply. He went back with her to Pacey and asked why he meddled with the girl. Pacey only said he never hurt her. He ordered Pacey to go away and he went towards Milton. The girl stopped a few minutes and then went on the same road. She seemed afraid but he promised to watch. Henry Lee Hogg of Toddington, surgeon – yesterday he examined Elizabeth Potts. He found she was affected with venereal disease. He does not think penetration had taken place. The disease may be communicated without penetration. He has examined Pacey at his own request and he free of venereal disease now, though it may have existed a month ago. James Elliott of Toddington, police constable – he took Elliott into custody last night. AS they were coming to Woburn Pacey said “I kissed the girl and nothing else”. Pacey later said he had been poorly with the fever, and that 6 weeks or 2 months ago he had a running and swelling at his private parts. William Pacey – “I never hurt the girl. I have not got the foul disease. I never had it.”

item

Pacey, William,
Potts, Elizabeth,
Osborn, Harry,
Hogg, Henry Lee,
Elliott, James

TODDINGTON, MILTON BRYAN, assault, sex crimes, crime, farmers, surgeons, police constable, sexually transmitted diseases, women's history