QSR1892/4/5/7

Depositions of Ellen Stokes of 49 Langley Road Luton; Sarah Stokes, widow of 49 Langley Road Luton, Sidney Strapp, Gas Meter Surveyor of 66 Hibbert Street Luton; Ethel Coombs of 49 Langley Road Luton; Clara Ann Strapp, wife of Sidney of 66 Hibbert Street Luton; Alfred Ernest Blanch, Bank Clerk at London and County Bank at Luton and Charles Rogers, Police Inspector of Luton In the case against Joseph Aloysius O'Connor accused of indecent assault on Ellen Stokes

24 and 28 September 1892

From: 1892 To: 1892

Ellen Stokes said: I live with mother at 49 Langley Road, Luton, I take washing home for her. I used to take it to Defendants house in Castle Street Luton on a Saturday late in April I remember taking Father O’Connors washing home Ethel Coombs was with me. We reached the house about 9 I had the washing in a cloth, I gave a young lad the washing. Father O’Connor came into the passage and spoke to us asking if the little girl liked fruit. He asked us both in we went into the front parlour Defendant came in. he brought some figs on a plate from another room leaving us alone in the room there was no gas or lamp. He came back again he first closed the door and put me on his knee h sitting on a chair then he put his hand up my clothes. He asked me if I liked it, I did not answer. He asked me to stand up and lay down on the floor I said “No I must be quick home and get mothers washing out”. He said “Don’t go yet I wont be many minutes”. When he put his hand up my clothes he put it against my stomach I was wearing drawers open ones. He touched my private parts and put his fingers right in and hurt me very much I said “Do let me go home sir”. He said “Will you come on Monday night by yourself and I will give you a lot of money”. I said “Yes Sir” to get away. Soon after then he set me on his knee and put his tongue in my mouth. We went straight home and made a complaint to my mother, I went on the Monday with mother and my brother-in-law Mr Strapp and Ethel Coombs, I waited outside. Mother went in first, I was called in Defendant was there. Mother asked Father O’Connor to look at me and say if he did it, I said “Did not you put your hand up my clothes sir?” He said “Yes”. he put his hands together and went nearly on his knees to beg mothers pardon. [cross-examined] I am 13 on April 6th last, I cannot remember the date it happened on. I had often been there before and seen and spoken to him Ethel Coombs was in the room all the time, I did not see the lad again that evening. I know Father O’Connors housekeeper, I saw her that night she came to the room while we were there, just outside the door is a lamp in the hall, the room was light from the lamps in the Union Chapel and the lamp in the hall. He gave me figs in my hand, I put them on the corner of the table about a yard from the door, I was between the table and the door, Ethel Coombs was between me and the door. I did not go further in the room than that nor did Ethel Coombs. There is a chair by the door, Ethel Coombs sat on that chair, O’Connor sat on another close to it. We were all close together. He talked pleasantly and kindly about other matters. I told mother in the presence of 2 or 3 women. Since the Monday night I have not said anything to anyone about the matter. Detective Sergeant Chamberlain came about it just after that day. After that Mr Wootton saw me about it once some time ago and about 10 days ago he came with another gentleman. He has talked to me myself, I think twice I have talked over with him (on Saturday) what I was going to say. He has not told me what to say, I have seen the gentleman in court once on Monday I have seen no one else about it at all. I have told the same story today as I told them before. Everything as far as I can remember I usually went to O’Connors house on Mondays to fetch clothes for the wash I was standing close to his knee in the room. He sat me right upon his knee. He put his hand on my shoulder. [re-examined] I did not see the housekeeper on the Saturday night. I did so on the Monday night, I was mistaken when I said in cross-examination I saw her on Saturday I meant the Monday. When the door was shut the hall lamp gave no light in the room only the lamps outside. I did not notice what street lamp was alight, the place where we sat was not lit up, the light fell a little on Mr O’Connors face. Sarah Stokes said: I am a laundress. Ellen is my daughter she is 13 years old. For some time 2 or 3 years up to April last I had done Father O’Connors washing I had never spoken to him myself Ellen generally took the washing on Saturday night. She was not in the habit of fetching the dirty linen. She used to call for the money sometimes. In March and April a friends child Ethel Coombs was staying in the house, one Saturday at end of April my daughter and Ethel went to O’Connors. They came back late. I asked my daughter something. She made a complaint to me in the presence of my married daughters and three other women. We were all ironing clothes. Nelly sleeps with me. After we had gone to bed she made a complaint again, on the Monday I saw my married daughter I went with Sidney Strapp my son-in-law and both the children to O’Connors house. Strapp rang the bell. We were shown in to the front parlour Strapp and I went in and left the children outside. Defendant came in Strapp said he had come on behalf of Mrs Stokes and her little girl and what had occurred on Saturday night and Defendant said “I don’t know anything about it what little girl?” Strapp said “All right Father O’Connor the two girls are outside and I will fetch them in” He did so. Strapp said “Do you remember them now sir?” Defendant said “Yes I do”. Nellie was asked by Strapp to repeat what occurred on Saturday night. She said “He put his hand up my petticoats and hurt me and put his tongue in my mouth” He said ” I did not mean to do anything wrong towards the child and merely asked her how she was” Strapp asked why he behaved so indecently to her, Defendant was in a great way he put his hands together and bent down and apologised to me and asked what recompense he could make not to say anything about it. He mentioned £3, I took no part in the conversation about money Strapp did not think £3 sufficient. Finally Defendant offered £5 and gave a cheque for the sum, on the Tuesday Strapp gave me the £5 in gold, Defendant paid the washing account about 2/9 [two shillings and ninepence] on the Monday I have never spoken to him since. [cross-examined] I was told O’Connor was ill in bed on the Monday. He came down in a black dressing gown. I went because he insulted my child. I had no idea of getting money from him, I believed my childs story and I thought it serious. I thought it would not expose her if I went to him. I went to get an apology from him. Father O’Connor was the first to suggest money I did not hear any mention of £20. Strapp did not ask for £20. we were there nearly an hour. There was a great deal said mostly by Strapp I did not hear him abusive or rude. Strapp was not excited or abusive in my presence. Strapp did not sit anywhere, on the table or otherwise. He was smoking a cigar. I saw Detective Chamberlain about it in July, I was ill at the time. Mr Nathan at the Gasworks and a Gentleman from the Midland Railway came to me about a week after the affair. Mr Wootton the Secretary of the Local Vigilance Association came about it a fortnight ago. He has been twice. Another gentleman has been I think there were 4 visits in all. It is not my wish, or my childs, or Mr Strapps wish to bring these proceedings, I did not wish my child to be exposed. It was Mr Woottons about it from the Monday I had thought no more about it, I was not surprised at Strapp asking for money. [re-examined] Strapp came in and heard my daughter and myself talking about the matter. A question was then asked, “What conversation did you have with Strapp before going to Father O’Connor?” Question objected to. The objection was upheld. I knew Mr Nathan before but not the other gentleman. Sidney Strapp said: I married Mrs Stokes daughter. On Monday May 2nd I had a conversation with my wife while her mother was present. We went with Nelly Stokes and Ethel Coombs to O’Connor. We were shown in Mrs Stokes and I to the front room, Defendant came in. I told him I had come on behalf of Mrs Stokes to know what he had been doing to Nellie Stokes on the Saturday. He said he had not done anything I said “Oh yes you have the children told us you had been upsetting one of them”. He again denied it, I fetched the children in, I told Nelly to tell us what happened. She told him he pulled her down on his knee put his hand up her clothes and hurt her with his fingers. She added to O’Connor that he wanted Ethel to go home and leave them alone. Defendant said “No he did not wish her to go” He said he was very sorry that ever happened. She said he had asked her to return on the Monday night when he would give her money. Defendant said “No go on Monday night for the washing money” Defendant wished to know if he could make compensation saying he supposed it would cost him £2 or £3. I said we did not go to ask him for money. I said we went to know what he meant not for money. He offered £5, I having said we would not take £3. He said he had no money in the house and gave me a cheque produced (B) [cheque is included at the end of the deposition] It is made in my name. He asked what name and I gave mine I cashed the cheque next morning just after 10. He asked me if I was satisfied. I said “Yes as far as that went, but the recompense he ought to make would be to cause the childs mind to be a blank about what occurred on the Saturday night” When defendant offered the £3 I said “Is that equal to a confession?” He said “No it is not necessary that it should be a confession” I said “Oh yes I certainly consider it is a confession” Mrs Stokes and the children came out first I stopped and talked to defendant myself. I went as the male representative of the family. [cross-examined] I went with mother to know what the meaning of it was, I believed the child. We were about an hour at Defendant house. Mrs Stokes was present most of the time I did not hear the sum of £20 mentioned, I never asked for £20. We agreed to take the £5, I wanted it in cash, I then asked him for something on account, I finally consented to take his cheque. I said if it was not met I should very soon go back again. O’Connor humbly apologised and offered the money I asked defendant if he knew what it meant if it was taken into Court that he would probably have to leave the town and lose his position. That was after the £5 was paid I was rather excited over it, I am not aware I was abusive, I did not swear at him, I sat partly on the table, I was smoking a cigar, I threw the end across the room. Ethel Coombs said: I was in April last living with Mrs Stokes. One Saturday in April I went with Ellen to Father O’Connors. A boy took the washing, O’Connor came to the door and asked us in, we went inside the passage and then into the front room where we sat down. He brought a plate of figs. I saw Father O’Connor draw Nelly in between his legs he was sitting on a chair, I opened the door he shut it, I opened it again then he got up and fastened it again so that I could not open it. No one came into the room, I heard Nellie say “Don’t sir” I saw him draw his tongue out of Nellie’s mouth. Father O’Connor said “If you come on Monday night about 7 I will give you fruit to eat and money. We went home and Nellie told her mother something. On the Monday Mrs Stokes and Mr Strapp went with us two to Father O’Connor. [cross-examined] We had never been there before I was sitting close against the door and he and Nellie sat on the next chair. Clara Ann Strapp said: I was present when my sister Ellen came hone on a Saturday in April about 9. She made a complaint to her mother. I heard it. Alfred Ernest Blanch said: Defendant in April had a current account I have examined his account and made an extract (A) produced. I made it and compared it with the original. It shows a cheque drawn and passed through our books on the 3rd May for £5 in favour of Strapp. I also recognise a cheque (B) produced by Defendants Advocate date May 2nd the signature is Defendants it is for £5 I cashed it in the usual way of business. Inspector Charles Rogers said: On Sunday September 25 I apprehended defendant on the warrant produced (marked “C”) at Folkestone in Kent. I read the warrant to him. He said “Why ever was not this charged preferred before it is nearly seven months ago” I brought him to Luton the same night. [cross-examined] I have no ground to suppose that Defendant went to Folkestone to avoid these proceedings. I was informed that his name appeared in last Friday’s Gazette as a visitor there. Statement taken on 24th September from Ellen Stokes aged 13 the sixth of last april, residing with her mother at 49 Langley Road Luton: On Saturday evening April 30th I was sent by my mother to the Vicarage, Castle Street with Father O’Connor’s washing. I rang the bell and the door was opened by a young man. as the young man opened the door Father O’Connor appeared in the hall. I was accompanied by Ethel Coombs. Father O’Connor asked me Ethel’s name. I told him. He said “Does the little girl like fruit?” I turned to Ethel and asked her and she said “Yes”. He then said to both of us “Will you come in here please” He led us into the front parlour facing Castle Street. When we got inside he brought us a plate of figs. He left the room while we ate the figs. There was no light in the room, but what came through the open door from the lamp in the hall and through the windows from the lamp in Castle Street. He came in shortly after and sat on the next chair to me. He asked several questions about the little girl, and he then said to me “Come and sit on my knee”. I said “I must go home. Mother is busy”. He then got up and closed the door. He then came back and lifted me on to his knee. He then put his hand up my clothes and said to me “Is it nice?” I felt his fingers inside my person. He hurt me when he was doing it. While he was doing it he kissed me. When he took his hand away from my person he lifted me from his knee and then asked me to lie down on the ground. I said “I don’t want to, as I wish to get home to get the wash out” He tried to push me down, but I resisted. He then put me on his knee again, unbuttoned his trousers and said “Will you put your hand in there?” I said “No” I said “I must go now sir do let me go as I want to go home.” He said “If I let you go will you be sure and come on Monday night by yourself. I will give you a lot of money.” He then opened the doors and let us out. As I was going away he said “Be sure and come.” I immediately went home and told my mother what had taken place. On the following Monday I was taken by my mother and brother-in-law to see Father O’Connor. After my mother and brother-in-law had been with Father O’Connor some time my brother-in-law came out and took me and Ethel Combes in. My mother then told me to tell Father O’Connor what he had done to me on the previous Saturday evening. I then told Father O’Connor that he had put his fingers into my person and had hurt me. He then said he was sorry for what he had done and turning to my brother-in-law asked him what he could do for my mother. After that my mother brought me home. Declaration as to handwriting and seal: Charles Rogers confirming the signature of Arthur Thomas Webster on the Warrant for Aloysius O'Connor's arrest. Warrant in the first instance: two copies referred to as 'C' in the declaration of Charles Rogers. inventory of evidence referred to in above depositions. Cheque drawn on london County Banking Company Ltd in favour of Mr Strapp for £5 drawn by Father O'Connor Letter from D Thomson, Park Square, Luton, Beds. dated 18th October 1892 'Dear Mr Beck. The Revd Father O'Connor has been under my care since June last. he has been in a bad state of health, his most serious symptoms being the presence of large quantities of albumen indicating kidney mischief. I am able to say that under treatment this sympton has for the present almost entirely disappeared but I do not doubt that exposure and hardship would almost certainly cause a return of it. Believe me. Yours faithfully D Thomson' statement of the accused: "I reserve my Defence"

35 pages

item

Stokes, Ellen,
Stokes, Nellie,
Stokes, Sarah,
Strapp, Sidney,
Coombs, Ethel,
Strapp, Clara Ann,
Blanch, Alfred Ernest,
Rogers, Charles,
O'Connor, Father Joseph Aloysius

LUTON, Luton Langley Road, gas meter surveyor, bank clerk, indecent assault, laundress, Luton Hibbert Street, Luton Castle Street