Stow-on-the-Wold News
18 Sep 1880 [p.1, col.e] |
Stow-on-the-Wold.
Petty Sessional Court, Thursday.
Before the Rev. E. F. Witts, Captain Craven, Alfred Sartoris and Piers Thursby, Esqrs.
Serious Charge of Rape.- Charles Robbins, late of Naunton, was brought up in custody, charged with having violently assaulted Mary Hannah Leach, and did carnally know and ravish her, at Naunton, on the 29th of April[sic]; George Pratley was also charged with aiding abetting in the offence committed on the person of the girl.- Complainant deposed that she was 18 years of age, and lived as servant to Mr. W .Hanks, of Aylworth Farm, near Naunton. On Sunday, Aug. 29th, she was going to Notgrove Church, at about a quarter to three o'clock in the afternoon, having her master's little boy with her. On passing along a foot path through a barley field, the prisoner Pratley came up to her and threw her down, and, whilst being held down on the ground by him Charles Robbins criminally assaulted her, and effected his purpose. Pratley forced a pocket handkerchief into her mouth, and Robbins held his arm across her throat, but she screamed and kicked, and the little boy also cried out. She knew the prisoners, as Robbins was groom and Pratley under-carter to her master. On returning home she informed her master and mistress she had been illtreated.- Supt. Basson said he apprehended Pratley, on the 3rd inst., but on going to Robbins's house it was found that he had absconded, and was traced to Henley-in-Arden, where he was apprehended on the 9th inst. by P.C. George Cooper, of Guiting.- After hearing the evidence of G.B. Hayward, Esq., surgeon, and several other witnesses, the magistrates committed both prisoners for trial at the next Assizes at Gloucester. |
George PRATLEY |