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MARGATE
THE REMANDED CASE OF THE TRAVELLING SWINDLER.—Sophia Edith Harcourt Vernon was on Monday brought up on remand before the Mayor and R. Jenkins, Esq. The charge was read over and also the evidence taken on Monday week. Superintendent Saunders said he had made enquiries about the prisoner, and read a letter he had received from the Deputy Governor of Lewes prison, as follows:—
Sussex County Prison, Lewes, 1st Sept. 1864.
SIR,—In answer to your note to the Governor of this prison, I have to inform you that the woman you have in custody has been three times here. On the other side I give the full particulars, which speak for themselves as to Miss Vernon’s character. There can be no question as to her identity. Should you require any further information I shall be pleased to furnish it.—Yours very sincerely,
WILLIAM SANDERS, Deputy Governor.
Mr. Saunders, Superintendent of Police, Margate.
Sussex County Prisons, Lewes.
Previous imprisonment of Edith Vernon as Sarah Rosa Westwood.
1859.—Convicted on 24th November, 1859, as Sarah Rosa Westwood, under the “Criminal Justice” Act, of felony. Stealing a pocket handkerchief and a pair of scissors. Sentence three calendar months’ hard labour.
1863.—Committed on 26th February, 1863, as Edith Vernon, for vagrancy. Imposing on certain persons, and sentenced to one month’s hard labour.
1863.—Convicted at the Sessions, 8th July, 1863, as Sarah Rosa Westwood, of felony. Stealing a flannel waistcoat, and sentenced to one year’s hard labour.
WILLIAM SANDERS, Deputy Governor.
The governor of Dover gaol said there had been a person to the prison to see the prisoner, who had identified her as the person who had obtained lodgings in Dover, and sent in a quantity of things, but they had got rid of her in a day or two. Mr. Saunders then applied for a remand till next Monday, for the governor of Lewes prisons to attend. The application was granted.
— Canterbury Journal, Saturday 10 September 1864 source