The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1887-01-08 00:00:00

.RCESTER SE SIONS.

At then, 'essi• ns on Taos lay betote ,Ir. G. W.
Hastings, Nl.n„ the following local cases we.
oeard.
ALLEGED FALSE PRETENCES AT CLENT.—AI3X.
undrine Alice More 00), teacher of languages,
,la 3 indicted for obtaining, by false pre,tences, from
te Rev. F R. Lawson, vicar of Clenn £3 103, on
November 20 M. \rade 11 appeared for the pro-
secuti •n, ad Mr. J. Amphlett for the prisoner,—
The Rev. F. R Lawson said that on the 20th Nov.
the prisoner called at his vicarage about two in the
afternoon, sled asked if there was anyone in the
neighbourhood who heard confessions. She said
she had been living in Kidderminster,in St. George's
lerrace for a year. She was apparently in great
trouble, and witness tried to find out what was the
matter with her. She said sh attended St. Geo -ge's
Church regularly, but did not know the clergyman.
ahe said see was dreadfully sensitive that herleal-
lady seAned to know all that was dem in Kid 'er.
minster, and that she was afraid it w uld be known.
Sle said she had been in Italy and had run aw
that she had been born in Australia, and had rue
away when a gi!l of sixteen years of age; that he
accompanied a drawing-master to Italy; that by
his artistic tpower a and labours they had live iin
tolerable comfort for twelve years; that at Vie end
of that time she found out that he had had a wife
before, and that she consequently left him mid
came to England. Witness asked her about Kidder-
=meter, and she said she came there to obnlin
scholastic work, which was her one hope of main.
taining herself, adding that he: husband would not
suppo,t her. She sdd she had about £5O in 111311'3y
when she came to England, and some jewellery and
dresses, She added that during the time she had
been in Ki hierininster, she had been getting poorer
and poorer. and had spent £5 in advertising, with
no result, because she con d get no references, and
she hal to pawn her jewellery and many of her
dresses. Witness asked her where, and she siid at
Kidderminster. She added that her rent had been
reduced from 123 to is on condition that she occa•
pied the same room as her landlady. She also said
she had excessively little to eat, and her posi:ion
was very naiseraide. Witness cross examined her
at considerable length, having some doubt at first
as to her story, an she said she had just enough
money to come to Clent, and she was going to walk
back. She was with witness about two hours, and
he, believim; her story, gave her £3 103. He asked
her if she had a purse, and she said she had cot.
He wished to spare her feelings as much as possible,
and gave her the money in a purse which witness
obtaieed from his with. He believed the whole of
her story, and liar poverty weighed very much with
him and also the fear of her committing suicide.
The fear of her committing uicide influenced Lima
as to the amount he gave her, but it did not ir.flu.
ence him as to the giving of it. She said she had
endeavoured to ob'ain laudanum on one occasion
at Ki-dertninsten but the tradesmen would not
supely her. In erase-examination, witness said he
should certainey have given her very much less tat
for the fear that she would commit suicide. In
fact, he did not think he should have given her any
thing at all if he had not believed her statement
that she had been in Kidderminster a year, and
that she had parted with her jewellery. In ordinary
circumstances it would have bet-n connnon prudence
to make enquiry. He had never given so large a
sem as that before. Suicide and pov rty weie
wholiy mixed up together. Undoubtedly the
amoent, was influenced by the statement of sui.m.do.
Witness told preener he should make enquire 5,
and he dd so two days la er. He gave her as much
as would keep her a month while making
enquiries.
He did not think the prisoner saw what ho gave
her until s:ie left the vicarage. The next time she
saw him she expresse I surprised at the amount,—
Ann Osborne, Clent, said Unit the pia:seiner called
at her shop on Norember 20, and had some bead
and cheese. She had a purse Evidence was then
given to show that prisoner had lodged at different
planek in Kidderminster and at Whitwell, anda
large trunk in her I.o3ses•dan was stated to contain
articles of to value of £33 53 51,—When prisoner

was air...mted, cu December I; she said she had no
intention of def:auding the prosecutor, and what
se told him was strictly e.mfidential. Aft,2r a
consultation the Court ruled that there was no case
to go to the jury, and the prisoner was acquitted.
FRAUDULENT BAILEE AT UPPER SWINFORD.
Charles Edwin BrindlPy (on bail), of the Sum ri4et
was indicted for fraudulently ccnverting
,o his own use a siiv.r watch, belonging to Kiith
Winnall, in July, ISSI. Mr. Hickey prosecuted,
a!,(1 the Hon. A Lyttelton defended.—noseutrix
was enov,,l to be married to t'ae prisoner, and gave
hlui her watch to get repaired. She could not get
it back, and when she asked for it he madelexoust s.
—H.2nry Hayes. 4iocri's assistant, proved lending
prisoner n,oney on the watch,—Prisoncr's defence
was that the watch was given to him to obtain money
to purch.se a weddi,g ring.—The jury acquitted

FALSE PRETENCES AT WOLLASTON. Thomas
Brooks (51), dealer, was sentenced to six months'
bard 1 ,bour for obtaining provisions by false pre-
tences Li September last.
INDECENT ASSAULT AT STOURI3RIDGI E. —1 henna
Estqa (30), bricklayer, pleaded guilty to indecently
a•-siulting Louisa Unit on December was
st:ntenced to four moths' hard labour.
AUE PRETENCES AT STOUR E RIDG, E —William
Ni!onitt. a youth, pleaded guilty to obtainig 21b of
rui.Ans at:d other articles by false p-etcnces, the
i1."1,0,-tY of A. 11. Rt'adirg•—The prisol:er was
to c•ime up for judgement when ca;led; his
fatbcr promising to take_ care of him.