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WESTON-SUPER-MARE—REMARKABLE AFFAIR.
The police-court was much crowded on Monday in consequence of many rumours being current as to the conduct of a “fair party” who has honoured the town with her presence for some few months past, and has obliged several tradesmen with orders more or less extensive. The lady was introduced to the Bench by P.S. Ross, who stated that on the previous Saturday evening he received information that a female was being annoyed by a vast concourse of people in Oxford-street, and upon proceeding to the spot he found the lady present being pushed about and otherwise insulted by a mob. Being apprehensive of her safety he took her to the police station for protection, and, from inquiries he instituted, discovered that she had been turned out of her lodgings on the same afternoon. In answer to the magistrates Sergeant Ross stated that the lady was very much excited, but not intoxicated. The Sergeant further stated that he had no charge to prefer against Miss Westwood (the name given by her), and he should not have taken her to the station house but for the purpose of protecting her from the insults of the crowd who had assembled.
—Miss Westwood assured the magistrates that she had been much abused by persons in the lodging house previous to her expulsion, but admitted owing her landlady some money.
—Mr. Gibbs (of the firm of Gibbs and Son, silk mercers, of High-street) said he had a complaint to make. Miss Westwood came to their establishment, and upon her representations that she was about to be married to a Colonel Vernon, obtained goods and cash to the amount of £120 from them, stating likewise that she had a cheque for £120 to purchase an outfit.
—The magistrates, being of opinion that it was a case for a civil tribunal, said they could do nothing in the matter, as it was merely a case of liberal credit.
—Miss Westwood left the court under the protection of the police, and ultimately, we believe, took train for Bristol.
— Frome Times, Wednesday 16 October 1861 source
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POLICE, WEDNESDAY.—Before Mr. A. Kinglake, and Mr. H. Rockett.
—Miss Westwood, who has previously appeared in a most unfavourable position before the Bench, was to-day brought up by Sergeant Ross, charged with being drunk and disorderly. She was remanded to the petty sessions on Monday next.
— Western Daily Press, Thursday 17 October 1861 source
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POLICE, WEDNESDAY.
—(Before R. A. Kinglake and Hugh Rockett, Esqrs.) Miss Westwood again.
—This unfortunate woman was brought up in custody of Sergeant Ross charged with being drunk and disorderly the previous night at the Knightstone-road. It appeared from the sergeant’s evidence that he had been sent for by Dr. Brooks, of No. 1, Albert-buildings, and that, on his entering that gentleman’s residence, he found the lady seated on a chair in the parlour. She appeared to be in a very excited state through being intoxicated: her hair was dishevelled, and she was altogether out of order. The doctor immediately requested him to take her into custody, stating that he would appear before the magistrates, when she was brought up, to prefer a charge against her of unlawfully entering his premises. He did not conceive it to be his province to take her into custody while in the house, out of which, at the urgent request of the doctor, he turned her, but not without great difficulty. Subsequently she walked as well as she could up and down the Knightstone-road, a crowd of people following her. In the long run she proceeded to the residence of Mr. Kinglake, where she conducted herself in a very offensive manner. He (the sergeant) was again called upon to interfere, and turned her out of Mr. Kinglake’s residence also. Latterly he was obliged to take her to the station, she having by this time continued to tear her dress in such a manner as to expose her person. The magistrates decided in remanding the case to the petty session on Monday next.
— Bristol Mercury, Saturday 19 October 1861 source
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WEDNESDAY.
Sarah Westwood, alias Wood, alias Vernon, was brought up in custody of Police-sergeant Ross, on a charge of being drunk and disorderly, on the previous evening.
Sergeant Ross stated that he saw the prisoner in the Knightstone-road last night, she was intoxicated, and causing a great disturbance, having a mob of about 100 people after her. She had been to the house of Dr. Brookes1, and pushed herself into that gentleman’s drawing-room.
Dr. Brookes was in attendance, and deposed that the prisoner came to his house in a drunken state, and made a great mess in his hall, and thrust herself into his apartment. He had seen her at Cheltenham sometime back, and had prescribed for her, and whilst she was under his care, the Superintendent of Police came one day and asked if he was attending such a person, describing the prisoner. He said he was; when the Superintendent said he wanted to see her. He told him to call next morning, and probably she would be at his house at 10 o’clock; she came, and the Superintendent was waiting for, and apprehended her on a charge of swindling.
In reply to the Bench, Sergeant Ross said Mr. Gibbs had a charge against the prisoner, and also produced a note, which the prisoner, calling herself Mrs. Vernon, had sent to Mrs. Siddons, a lodging-house-keeper, from whom she had obtained money under false pretences.
Mr. Gibbs came forward, and stated that he thought he should be able to substantiate a charge of obtaining money under false pretences against the prisoner, but he had not his witnesses in attendance.
The Bench, who were about to commit her on a charge of drunkenness, hereupon determined to remand her until the Petty Sessions of Monday next.
— Weston-super-Mare Gazette, and General Advertiser, Saturday 19 October 1861 source
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(Before R. A. Kinglake and Hugh Rockett, Esqrs.)—The woman Westwood, who figured so unenviably before their worships last week, was again brought up to-day in custody of Sergeant Ross, charged with being drunk and disorderly the previous night in the Knightstone-road. It appeared from the sergeant’s evidence that he had been sent for by Dr. Brooks, of No. 1, Albert-buildings, and that, on his entering that gentleman’s residence, he found the lady seated on a chair in the parlour. She appeared to be in a very excited state through being intoxicated: her hair was dishevelled, and she was altogether out of order. The doctor immediately requested him to take her into custody, stating that he would appear before the magistrates when she was brought up to prefer a charge against her of unlawfully entering his premises. He did not conceive it to be his province to take her into custody while in the house, out of which, at the urgent request of the doctor, he turned her, but not without great difficulty. Subsequently she walked as well as she could up and down the Knightstone-road, a crowd of people following her. In the long run she proceeded to the residence of Mr. Kinglake, where she conducted herself in a very offensive manner. He (the sergeant) was again called upon to interfere, and turned her out of Mr. Kinglake’s residence also. Ultimately he was obliged to take her to the station, she having by this time continued to tear her dress in such a manner as to expose her person. The magistrates decided on remanding the case to the petty session on Monday next.
— Bristol Mirror, Saturday 19 October 1861 source
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WESTON-SUPER-MARE PETTY SESSIONS.
SARAH WESTWOOD AGAIN.—This unfortunate female, who was remanded on the 16th inst. until to-day, to answer the allegations which appeared in the report of the case in the Daily Press of Thursday last, again appeared before the Bench. The magistrates discharged her.
— Western Daily Press, Tuesday 22 October 1861 source
Footnotes
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[Dr. William Philpot Brookes](https://livesonline.rcseng.ac.uk/client/en_GB/lives/search/results?qu=%22RCS: E000977%22&rt=false|||IDENTIFIER|||Resource+Identifier) ↩