Police Experiences by Thomas Woollaston

In the year 1847, I was sent for to the office of the then Chief Constable, at Forebridge. On arrival I was told that a woman and her husband had been there complaining that the female had been grossly assaulted, and a rape committed upon her, on the previous night, by a person residing near, and who followed the occupation of Attorney’s Clerk, and was also engaged in the recovery and collection of money, through the small debts or County Court.

The case as stated was as follows:-

The woman said that she had called at the accused’s house between seven and eight o’clock the previous night, to pay an instalment of money, and that, on leaving, the accused had followed by a back and somewhat unfrequented road, and thus assaulted her...........

From the ARREST. TRIAL, AND SENTENCE OF AN ATTORNEY’S CLERK, ON A CHARGE OF RAPE.

In the month of February 1847, about midnight, I was patrolling quietly through the town of Stafford. On passing by the end of a short thoroughfare called Bath Street, I paused and looked through it. At either end of that street was a gas lamp, the middle being comparatively dark. My attention was directed to an object mid-way, which I could not clearly discern. I stood for a short time, occasionally stooping to take the. object better in view, and thus satisfied myself it was the figure of a man. I walked slowly towards him. On nearing him, he moved and met me. As he passed, I recognised him. Calling him by name, I inquired if anything was the matter, causing him to be out at that hour. He smiled, and speaking almost in a whisper, said, “I’ve been having some drink, and am walking it off before I go home.” Having bid him “Good night,” he passed on. I did so, likewise, in the other direction.

Before I had gone many yards, I heard something flap against, a wall opposite where I then was, and looking in that direction, saw it was an empty sack bag, thrown partly over the wall, but hanging upon it. I also perceived the top of a man’s head, who would be standing on the other side, which was a garden. This man made a shrill whistle. It struck me that was a “signal,” and that something was wrong. Within a few yards was a door leading through the garden wall. That was closed. I stepped hastily and quietly to it, and hearing someone inside, remained still..........

from the SINGULAR ARREST OF THREE MEN CHARGED WITH STEALING AND RECEIVING POTATOES.