QSR1898/4/5/4-6

The Examinations of Elizabeth Sear the younger of Eaton Socon in the County of Bedford; Lewis John Flint of St. Neots in the County of Huntingdon, Solicitors Clerk; Harry Ingle Lunniss [Lunnis] of Eaton Socon aforesaid, Police Constable and Elizabeth Sear the elder of Eaton Socon aforesaid widow. The in case of Arthur Woodward, Frank Barnes and Arthur Townsend on the first day of August One Thousand Eight Hundred and Ninety Eight at Eaton Socon. Unlawfully and indecently did assault and ill treat a certain female named Elizabeth Sear.

13th August 1898

From: 1898 To: 1898

This Deponent Elizabeth Sear on her Oath saith as follows; _ I live at Dirt House Eaton Socon Beds my grandmother Elizabeth Sear. I am sixteen years old. On Monday 1st May inst – I went to the fete at St. Neots. I left the fete to go home about 10:20pm. Lewis Flint started [to] accompany me home. We went over St. Neots bridge thro’ Eaton Ford and on by Cross Hall. Flint went with me to the top of Cross Hall hill. I should think it would be from a hundred to a hundred and fifty yards from where I live. He went back. I went on towards my house. When I had gone about 40 yards from where I left Flint the 3 defendants sprang out of the hedge. Woodward and Barnes came up to me Townsend done nothing he stood behind - Woodward took hold of me round my waist and tried to lift my dress up - he then put his foot between my ankles and tried to trip me over – he pulled me about and punched me about - he then tried to put his hand up my clothes again – he put his hand under my clothes as high to my knees his hand was under my petticoat - he made use of a filthy expression to me. John Woodward put his arm round my waist Barnes took hold of my right arm - and pulled me about whilst Woodward was trying to put his hand up my petticoat Barnes had hold of my skirt behind – my skirt came undone - Barnes [swore] and I think it was directed to me - Woodward said he would let me go when they had f----d me - Barnes said you shall go when I have f-----d you not before - Townsend was standing behind doing nothing – I first called out “[]” then I Called “Lewis” and the Flint came back at that time Barnes and Woodward had hold of me and trying to get me down Flint said “release her” they wouldn’t leave off - Flint tried to get me away and there was a scuffle and my dress came undone I succeeded in getting away when I was trying to get away from Woodward and [Barnes] Townsend pushed me back - John Flint was trying to part us Townsend tried to get his stick away I succeeded in getting away and Flint took me by the hand and I ran home - and I saw my grandmother - I know Woodward and Barnes by sight - and I now recognise Townsends as the 3rd man - I have never spoken to any of them. This Deponent Lewis John Flint on his oath said as follows: - I live at St. Neots and am a Solicitors Clerk. On Monday the 1st August I accompanied the Prosecutrix from the Fete at St. Neots to within 150 yards of her own house. I returned towards St. Neots and she proceeded in the direction of her house. When I got about 40 yards away I heard her call out “Lewis” and scream loudly. I started to go back to her. This was about a quarter to eleven and bright moon light. I saw Barnes and Woodward both had got hold of her. I heard Woodward say “Now the buggar has gone we can get her” When I got up Woodward and Barnes had got hold of her round the waist. Woodward put his hand up her clothes. He had got his foot between her feet and shoving her backwards. Barnes was pulling her about. Townsend was about a yard from them doing nothing. When I got up I asked them what they meant by it. They did not speak but Woodward hit me in the face. Townsend tried to get my stick away. I pushed Barnes away and Woodward let her go to hit me. I got her away. Woodward took his jacket off to fight me. I and the Prosecutor got away as quick as we could. Woodward and Barnes ran after us. Townsend stood still. He did not in any way assist me. This Deponent Elizabeth Sear on her Oath saith as follows: - I am a Widow and live in “Dirt House” in the Parish of Eaton Socon. The complainant is my Grand-daughter. On the night of Monday the 1st August I was looking for my Grand-daughter out my door at 25 minutes to eleven. I saw Flint and my Grand-daughter was close behind. When I met her her hair was all down and her dress was unhooked. She nearly fainted. She that night made a statement to me. This Deponent Harry Ingle Lunniss on his Oath saith as follows: -I am a Police Constable stationed at Eaton Socon. On the morning of Thursday the 4th August I received information and in consequence I went to Barnes house. I heard a conversation between him and his Father. I heard the Father say “What have you been up to” Barnes said “I tried all I could to keep him off her” I saw Townsend the same night. I had the warrant handed to me afterwards and arrested them on the 12th inst. I read the warrant to Woodward. He made no answer. I asked Barnes if he wished the warrant read. Townsend said nothing. Statement of Accused: - We reserve our Defences Bedfordshire Constabulary Memo signed by Police Constable Lunniss PC66: - On the morning of the 4th of August I received information from Prosecutrix of the assault, on the night of the same date called at the George and Dragon Public house and saw William Barnes father to the Prisoner Frank Barnes inconsequence of what I said to William Barnes he went up stairs I heard him call out What the devil have you been up to now Frank replied nothing. Mr Barnes said I knew damn well something would happen you going with that Woodward. The prisoner Frank then said I tried to keep him off of her.

11 pages

item

Sear, Elizabeth,
Flint, Lewis John,
Lunniss, Harry Ingle,
Woodward, Arthur,
Barnes, Frank,
Townsend, Arthur

EATON SOCON, St. Neots, solicitor's clerk, police constable, indecent assault