The Northern Daily Times.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1856-12-19 00:00:00

THE ALLEGED FEMALE SWINDLER.

On Wednesday, at the Guildhall Police Court, Mary
Anne Murphy, who stands charged with obtaining various
sums of mopey from a number of persons by fraudulently
representing that she was the niece of the Bishop of
Cloyne and Ross, of the County of Cork, Ireland, and
that she was entitled to a sum of .£3,C00 in the Bauk of
England, as heiress to her brother, Robert Murphy,
whose estate she was administering to, was again brought
up before Sir J. Musgrove for further examination
relative to these charges. Mr. Buchanan, of Basing-
hall-street, appeared for the prisoner. On the names
of the witnesses being called over in this case. Mr.
Gardner, the pork pie manufacturer of C:erkenwell
Green, said: In consequence of the illness of my
housekeeper, Mrs. Lott, she is not able to attend. The
Rev. Mr. Cotter has also absented himself, but he will
attend on any day the court may appoint. At present I
apply for two summonses to bring up the messenger of the
Insolvent Court, and another person, to give evidence
against the prisoner. Sir J. Musgrove : But what do
you propose to prove by their testimony ? Mr. Gardner :
I went with her to the Insolvent Court, where she said
she went to see her relation, Mr. Commissioner
Murphy. I waited outside, and it appears that she merely
went in at one door and came out at another; and
on making enquiry I found that the Commissioner posi-
tively denied the relationship, and denounced her as an
impostor, and the messenger will be able to prove that.
Sir J. Musgrove : That case is not before me. The charge
at present Is for obtaining money upon the representation
that she is the neice of the Bishop of Cloyne and Ross.
Mr. Gardner : She said the Bishop of Cork, sir. Prisoner :
I did not, Mr. Gardner ; I said Cloyne and Ross. Sir J.
Musgrove : You have not yet proved that her representa-
tion is false. It is not for her to prove that she is entitled to
this propeity, or that she is the Bishop's niece, but for you
to prove that she is not. Prisoner : But lam the Bishop's
niece. Mr. Gardner : I was at the Duke of Devonshire's, in

Burlington Gardens, last night,- your worship, and the
Duke's people assured me that if the prisoner is re—
manded, to give them time, they will be prepared with
several cases against the prisoner. She obtained 7s 6d
from me to pay some law charges in Chancery-lane, and
I shall be able to prove that she never paid a farthing of
it. Sir J. Musgrove : I cannot deal with a case that is
not before me, and unless you can strengthen the present
charge by other evidence I can do nothing in the matter.
Mr. Gardner: 1 must leave the matter in your hands, Sir
John. lam not in a position at present to strengthen
my case, although I have been a great victim in this case.
I am in the habit of supplying publicans with pork pies,
and have had wine from those in the neighbourhood in_
stead of money, to supply the prisoner's extravagant way
of living. On ono occasion she brought two ladies, and it
cost me a sovereign for wine and other things to enable
the prisoner to entertain them. Prisoner: That was not
my fault; you invited them. Sir J. Musgrove : Where is the
policeman who said he had a charge against the prisoner ?
Mr. Gardner : He is at the Old Bailey, and was with me
last ❑ight at the Duke of Devonshire's. Since this ewe
has been published in the newspapers I have been inun-
dated with applications respecting the prisoner, and if she
IS remanded I have no doubt I shall be able to bring many
cases against her. Policeman 293 S, of the metropolitan
force, said : About three months ago I saw the prisoner
in Clerkenwell knocking at a great many houses. Pri-
soner : To be sure you did. That was when I wanted
lodgings and went to Mr. Gardner's. Policeman: On that
occasion she engaged a man to go with her to the docks to
get her goods. I also found by information I received,
and the description of the prisoner, that she is the same
who represented to a lady at Kensington that she was the
niece of the Rev. Father Hamilton, who had sent her over
from Ireland; to obtain contributions to some charitable
institution, and the lady believing her story, gave her LI
for that purpose. Prisoner : Why do,n't yon brine the
1 ady forward ? Sir J. Musgrove : Now, Mr. Gardner, this
officer has stated a precise charge that a magistrate can deal
with. Mr. Buchanan : When Mr. Gardner shall get into the
witness box I shall be able to put such questions to him as
will place a very different complexion upon the case, as far
as he is concerned. Mr. Gardner: I shall be prepared to
meet them. Mr.' Buchanan: Will you get into the wit-
ness box now, as I have witnesses in attendance who will
put another colour upon your statement. Mr. Gardner :
I shall be prepared to do so at the proper time. Sir J.
Musgrove : The evidence in your case is not sufficient for
me to detain the prisoner, and she is therefore discharged,
but the officer will take her into custody upon the charge
of obtaining a sovereign under fa,se pretences, which will
he enquired into before the magistrate of the district.
(Addressing the prisoner) : You are discharged for want
of legal evidence to support this case, but the officer will
take you upon another case, which you will have to meet
elsewhere. Prisoner : Thank God. lam innocent. The
prisoner was then removed in the officer's custody.

Dense fogs have again prevailed in the metropolis within
the last few days.
The royal artillery is now once more on the peace estab-
-1 ishment which prevailed before the war.