AS part of our weekly Crime Files series, we are taking a look back at the archives to bring you stories from Herefordshire's history.

The following story dates from 1859.

A LAWYER'S clerk was charged with murdering his employer's housekeeper in a Herefordshire town in 1859.

John Isaac Jones appeared before magistrates in Hereford in August 1859 accused of murdering a woman by strangling in Ledbury.

The accused lawyer's clerk had worked for local solicitor Mr Masefield, while the victim, Harriet Baker, was Mr Masefield's housekeeper.

Their employer had been in London on the night of Mrs Baker's death, the court was told.

Mrs Baker had entertained a visitor that evening, with a table in the home showing evidence that refreshments had been prepared on it, suggesting the person who committed the murder had been known to her, the court heard.

She had been strangled as she prepared to go to bed.

Gin and water were found on the table, and while it was known Mrs Baker kept no gin, Jones was reported to have bought a quantity that evening.

The lawyer's office showed evidence of having been searched by an intruder, with the prosecution alleging that money had previously been kept in those places, which was known to Jones.

OTHER NEWS:

He had not been aware, the court heard, that most of the money had been taken to the bank.

Stamps in his possession matched stamps left in a drawer, and ashes found in the grate in his room were shown to be the remains of Bank of England notes.

A packet of coins was found in nearby Cabbage Lane some days later and identified as belonging to Mr Masefield.

Jones was alleged to have gone out to clean his boots on the morning that Mrs Baker's body was found, and had been seen near Cabbage Lane, the court heard.

His solicitor told the court that, as a lawyer, Mr Masefield was often brought into contact with men of the lowest character, who were constantly in his room and who would have seen where money was kept.

He said there was no substantial testimony to convict Jones and that even the circumstantial evidence was incomplete.

Jones, who was described as a young man with light hair and sharp-pointed features, was reported to have been almost in a fainting state as he was brought back in to hear the verdict, and had to be removed from the dock with some difficulty as a not guilty verdict was given.

He was removed to the gaol again after the trial for his own safety and was understood to be planning to emigrate to the United States or Australia.