The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle. — 1887-01-08 (Stourbridge, West Midlands, England)

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 prosecuti •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 herleallady 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.