The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1886-03-13 00:00:00

SATITRDAY. IlAitoff 13, 1886.

THE PROSECUTION UNDER THE
CRIMINAL LAW.

At the Marylebone Police-court, London, on
day, the young married woman, 'Arnim Hart,
21, of Fulham-place, Paddington. was brought
under the Criminal Law Amendment Act, oil
mand, charged with unlawfully procuring two Yos
girls named Florrie Richardson, aged 12, and 141
Shiers, aged 13, for immoral purposes. The ej
attracted considerable interest, and the Court,
doors of which were besieged before being ere°
was crowded.

Mr. Mead, barrister, appeared for the Public
secutor ; and Mr. Boardman, solicitor, for
priscrier
The girl Rosie Shiers was re-called, and el
examined by Mr. Boardman. She said she first I
Mrs. Hart at the house of Mrs. Bedford, 35, Alb!
street, Regent's-park, in June last year, at
o'clock in the afternoon. Previous to their meet
the witness had been to the house aboutlo
those visits being made within the period of f`
night. She was sent there alone with messages bt
mother. She did not know the character of P,
Bedford's house, nor did she understand what vro
meaning of certain words she had heard. She had!
a Mrs. Shaw at Mrs. Bedford's house, but she die
know that person. She had also taken messages to,'
Bedford when the latter lived at 9, All 4
street. No. 4, Albany-street was occal
by Mr. Isidor, a hairdresser. She could ,
remember exactly the date when she went there,'
she had been there several times during each rod
from January to June of last year. She did
gentlemen there, nor did she leave on one occi',
with a gentleman. She attended the St. Bari!,
School Harvest-road, Holloway, up to last
Previously she had been a pupil at the Twyford-61c
school, Caledonian road. She was ill the year be,,
last, and was attended by her mother. She bad
formed on the stage, but refused to say where. ,
Mr. Boardman: Where was it?—Witness
to say.
Bat I must have an answer.-1 refuse to 05ij
I will not being other people's names into tbig
, graceful case.
Mr. Boardman repeated his question, and Oleo
ness continued to tefuse to answer.

The magistrate asked the learned gentletnao
was necessary for him to further press the witae
which Mr. Boardman replied that he must insist
answer, as it was important in the interest of lois c
Mr. de Rutzen then advised the witness to 01
the questions, and in reply to the further cross-e

natiO.n she said she wrie on the stage at itan'
about seven years ago. Since then she had perNr,
at the late Park Theatre, and last year at the StAli:
Theatre. She was ignorant at the time of the]
pose for which Mrs. Hart gave_her an address WI
invited her to her house, except that it was to
tea. She never had a card given her by a lady
Harriet Richardson did not know what she NVIV
to the prisoner's house for. Nothing was said f;
money. She had seen one of Florrie Richarul
sisters, but did not know how many sisters
She did not know the sister's name, nor did she '
the name of the seaside place where Florrie o'6
last year.
Re-examined by Mr. Mead, the witness a p
mother always accompanied her and fetched beer,
the theatre. She played small parts in the per't
ance with other little girls.
This being the case for the prosecution, the
sitions were read over, and during the whole tneit,
girl Shiers' evidence was being gone through she,.
Mr. de Rutzen asked if any steps were being
• 1)
with regard to the other persons connected Wit
Case.

Inspector Morgan said that no expense or 11
was being spared, but he had very little to %or
In fact, the only chance he had was to walk 5101
streets with the girls in the hope that they mig,bt
the parties implicated.
The magistrate informed the prisoner that ;
the provisions of the new Criminal Law Arnow,
Act she was a competent witness to give evidev'
her own behalf, and asked if she wished to do b`c'
she replied in the negative. - I
Mr. de Rutzen committed the prisoner for
offering to admit her to bail in two sureties of
each.
Mr. Boardman asked that the amount of bail
be reduced, as it was prohibitive as fixed, 12'i.
magistrate declined the application, and the Po'
was removed.