QSR1835/3/5/35

Deposition and examination - John Smith of Everton charged with assault with intent to commit a rape

15 June 1835

From: 1835 To: 1835

Mary Gray of Everton, spinster – John Smith is her uncle and lives at Everton. She has kept his house for nearly half a year. He is a widower. He is given to drink but never behaved or spoke improperly to her until last Thursday 11 June. That day about 9pm he came home tipsy. After she had put the children to bed at his desire he said she must lie with him. She said he was worse than a madman to talk so and went out of the house. He came after her [description of assault …]. She screamed and Mary Lockett tried to open the door, but could not get in. Mary Lockett and Elizabeth Mace then tried to get in at the window but failed. In the meantime she got away from her uncle and got out at the back door. She ran round the house. He went out at the front door and met her and seised her again, but his son William Smith had been sent for and came up and took his father away. The constable came and protected her. She left the house immediately and has since remained with a neighbour, Elizabeth Mayes, a married woman. John Smith – declined to say anything. Mary Lockett, wife of John Lockett of Everton, and Elizabeth Mace, wife of William Mace of Everton, material witnesses, to be subpoenaed for refusing to appear.

item

Smith, John,
Gray, Mary,
Lockett, Mary,
Lockett, John,
Mace, Elizabeth,
Mace, William,
Mayes, Elizabeth

EVERTON, assault, sex crimes, drunkenness, constable