The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle. — 1867-09-21 (Stourbridge, West Midlands, England)

THE CHARGE OF OBTAINING GOODS  UNDER FALSE PRETENCES.  At the Marlborough police-court, London, Geraldine Meurice, described as a lady," of the Villa, Sammige, Dorsetshire, and having the aliases of "Durant," "Hope," " Gmnt," "Mrs. Somerset," the "Hon. Mrs. Meurice," &c., charged with obtaining an emerald and diamond ring, and divers otherarticlesof jewelry, of the value of £ll4, by means of false pretences, from Mr. Douglas Cave, jeweller, of Grosvenor-square, London, was brought up on remand before Mr. Tyrwhitt, the magistrate. - - • • •  It may he remembered that on the taut occasion it was stated that the prisoner nailer different names had been carrying MI a most surcessfnl system of fraud, and that she was taken into custody at Wareham, Dorsetishire, on a warrant obtained through the exertions of Mr. Cave. The prisoner was remanded last week that Sergeant Cole might proceed to Wareham and take possession of the property obtained by the prisoner front the London tradesmen_ Mr. Morgan (for the prosecution, said that by direction of his worship Sergeant Cole went to Dorsetshire for the mire.se of having the property obtained from London tradesmen given up to hint; hut the superintendent of pollee, for some reason or other, declined to let him have it, and he Tail therefore to ask that the cane might be allowed to stand over till the superintendent could be served with • Crown gni-questa to produce the property. Mr. Tyrwhitt said he thought it was underntood on the last flee/IMOD that the goods were to be given lip by the Dorsetshire gentleman—that was, the goods obtained from London.— Sergeant Cola said that at Donsetshire they could not understand the giving up of property. They had an idea that all the property found in the prisoner's house was the prisoner:. own. Mr. Morgan said he would settle the matter by sending a Crown 011100 nubriena. lie was now prepared to go on with one case, that of obtaining goal. from Madame Buttons, milliner, of Bernens.street, Oxford.street, the prisoner having gone to Madame Ruttens and obtained goods, representing herself as the Hon. Mrs. Meuriee, and Slailame Ruttens, believing that she was the Hon. Mrs Maurice, entrusted her with goods. On a future occlusion he should be prepared with the eases. Madame Ruttens, wife of Mr. Joseph Ruttens, of No 64, Berner'-street, Oxford-street, said I know the prisoner as " the Hon. Mrs. Meurlce." She called upon me in July last Is a private carriage, and after telling me that she had been an invalid for seven years, and that she had been lying on a sofa during that time, she said she wanted to be restored, and that she wanted some articles in the fashion, A 9 she did not know what was going on in London. She told me that she was the Hon. Mrs. Maurice, and I asked her to write her name in a book, and she did so. I am in the habit of asking customers to do that. AMOAgSt the articles the prisoner orderml was a blue velvet dressing-gown, trimmed with antique lace. I told her that I gave no credit, and site said she would pay for the venison delivery, and that she always did so. Sonic of the grade—two bonnet., two dresses, and • crinoline, altogether if the value of el Si--were forwarded, sores being taken Ily the porter and some by myself. When I took the goods home I saw a nimbi servant, and asked for the Hon. Mrs. Menne, I gave some of the goods to the prisoner and some to the maid. I afterwards sent word to say that I could not send snore goads till I had been pail for the first portion sent. I went a few slays afterwavils, and I was told that the Hon. 3lrs. Meurlee could not be seen, and on going to the house afterwards she was gone, and she had not been able to see her again till she was in custody. Mr. Tyrwhitt Was it believing that the prisoner was the Hon Mrs. Menefee that you entrusted her with the goods? —Madame Rotten.: Yes, I should not have let her have the goods if I had not thought I should he paid in delivery. By Mr. Lewis, I let her have the goods beeanse I thought she would pay its dolivery. I give credit ill think persons respectable, and Uvve • reference. Mr. Morgan I have to ask that the prisoner may be ordered to remove her veil, as there an persons who believe they can identify her if she does so. Mr Tyrwhitt I do not think I can interfere with the prisoner's veiL Any person welting to see her with the view of Identifying her, will have an opportunity of doing as when she leaves the court Inspector Draper Persons cannot Identify her with her veil over her face. The prisoner wore a thick veil.) Madame Ruttens, In answer to Mr. Lewis, said: I do not know what is the prisoner's right name. I did make idquiries about her, and was told she Was in the habit of payittg her hater. grocer, and others. Had she left ,'at the " Honourable," I don't think I should have let her have the goods. Mr. Morgan : rpon this evidence I shall ask for another remand. Mr. Lewis : There is a story going about that the prisoner while in custody attempted to commit suicide. I wish to state that nothing of the kind occurred. The prisoner had put ea a dress which her dressmaker had had for the purpose  of making some alterationa, and a needle accidentally left in by the dresimaker had penetrated the prisoner's breast  • • The prisoner, who waa accommodated with a seat and kept her face concealed from the large number of persons who attended to hear the case, amongst whom there was a large number ••f tradesmen many of whom had been victimised, was then remanded.