QSR1848/1/5/45

Deposition and examination - John Roberts of Potton charged with assaulting Hannah Boness with intent to ravish at Potton on 7 November 1847

10 November 1847

From: 1847 To: 1848

Hannah Boness - she lives in Gamlinglay Heath about 1½ miles from Potton. She is 19 years old. She had been to Potton Chapel last Sunday 7 Nov and left to go home a little after 8pm. She was alone. About 200 yards from Potton John Roberts and Daniel Carter came behind her. Carter spoke to her twice and she answered. Roberts took hold of her hand and tried to persuade her to stop, but she would not. [Description of assault] She lives with her aunt Mrs Brittain and as soon as he got home she told her what had happened and showed her aunt her dirtied frock and torn bonnet, and a wound on the back of the knee where Roberts kicked her. Carter left before Roberts assaulted her. John Roberts - he, Carter, Hannah Boness and Beck Woods were going from Potton to Gamlingay together. Beck Woods stopped and went into her house and Carter went on before them. He and Hannah went on together. She knocked his cap off. He kicked her. She then caught hold of him and scratched his face. He bent her hand back and she cried out “oh!” and said “you shall pay for this. I wanted to get a pull against you and know I will have you”. He hit her on the side of the head and knocked her down on the road. She said “you bugger that is plenty”. He never threw her down the way she says he did.

item

Roberts, John,
Boness, Hannah,
Carter, Daniel,
Woods, Beck,
Brittain

POTTON, Gamlingay Heath, assault, sex crimes