QSR1835/3/5/37

Depositions and examination - William Pates charged with assaulting Frances Milliner with intent to commit a rape

24 June 1835

From: 1835 To: 1835

Frances Milliner of Biggleswade, spinster – last Friday week (12 June) she went into a close near Biggleswade called the Deles to look for her brother. There are some dales and hollows in the close. Her brother was not there. As she was coming out she saw William Pates close to her. Pates caught her hand before she could move away. There was a deep ditch close by. Pates pulled her down into it [description of assault …]. She screamed as loud as she could. He got up. She got up and came home and left him there. As soon as she got out of the ditch she saw Joseph Riseley, no more than 2 poles away. She thinks he must have heard the scream. As she went by Riseley she asked him whether he had seen her brother but did not say anything else to him. She went hom directly. Her mother was not at home. She went to her aunt’s, Mrs Kennedy, and told her what had happened. Her mother came home about 2 o’clock and went into her [Frances’] aunt’s before her own house. She went to her mother at her aunt’s and heard her aunt telling her what had happened. She said it was true. Emma, wife of Smauel Milliner of Biggleswade, labourer – Frances Milliner is her daughter. Last Friday week 12 June she was at Shefford. She got hom about 2pm. Before she went into her own house she went into her sister’s who lives next door. Her sister told her what had happened to Frances. Her duaghter came in and heard her and said it was all true. She looked pale and very much frightened. Joseph Riseley of Biggleswade, yeoman – he was at work in his field joining the Deles on Friday 12 June between 11 and 12. Frances Milliner went by towards the Deles. William Pates came by about 50 yards after her. In about 10 to 15 minuts he went to the edge of the ditch to see what they were doing and he saw the girl coming homewards. She was on this side of the stile. He was the young man in the Dales. He came by soon after towards the town. He saw no more. He did not see them in the ditch together and he did not hear the girl scream. William Pates – he never touched her. He was looking after bird’s nests in the Dells for his brother.

item

Pates, William,
Milliner, Frances,
Milliner, Emma,
Milliner, Samuel,
Riseley, Joseph

BIGGLESWADE, Biggleswade fields, assault, sex crimes