Hertfordshire and Cambridgeshire Reporter 27 Jun 1884: Assault on Eliza White

POLICE INTELLIGENCE

CAMBRIDGE DIVISION PETTY SESSIONS

SATURDAY LAST, JUNE 21st. — Before Colonel Wale, E.B. Foster, P.T. Gardner, Esqs., and Rev. C.A. Wilkinson.

INDECENT ASSAULT AT TRUMPINGTON.

William John Marshall, late of Harston, was charged with having at Trumpington, on the 19th of June, indecently assaulted Eliza White.

The prosecutrix said: On Thursday last I went to Hunstanton by an excursion train. The train got back at 10:40 p.m. I started to walk home to Trumpington. When I had passed the stone bridge on the Trumpington road, I saw a man. I passed on and a short time afterwards I heard footsteps. I turned around and then I saw the prisoner running after me. I ran away. I got as far as Mr. Sayle’s carriage drive, when the defendant caught me up. He then caught hold of me and tried to throw me over. I shoved my hands into his neck and pushed him away. I called out murder, and two men named Marshall and Pauley came to my assistance. They took him away from me and I walked home. I scratched his face.

James Marshall said: I live in Trumpington and am a railway carman. On the 19th inst., I was at home. My children had been to Hunstanton: they got home a few minutes to eleven o’clock. I heard some screams, and cries of murder. I proceeded down the road in the direction of Cambridge. I found the prisoner with the prosecutrix trying to throw her down. As soon as he caught sight of us the prisoner ran away. A man names Pauley was with me. I caught the prisoner and took him to P.c. Everitt’s and gave him into custody.

P.c. Everitt deposed to taking the prisoner into custody and finding scratches upon his neck recently done.

The Bench convicted the prisoner of an aggravated assault and sentenced him to six calendar months imprisonment with hard labour.