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A Notorious Female Swindler Again.—It will probably be remembered that some time since, a young woman, calling herself Edith Harcourt Vernon, alias Sarah Westwood, alias Weston, was sent to Lewes gaol for 12 months’ hard labour for felony at Hastings. Having served out the sentence, she resumed her nefarious calling at Margate, and was again punished; this was in October last. She has now once more turned up in this neighbourhood, having robbed her lodgings in Brighton, and decamped to Lewes in a fly. When she arrived near the county gaol she got out, telling the flyman she was going to call on Mr Sanders, and he had better go on into the town and wait for her. He went, and after waiting a very long time, proceeded back without his fare. About half-past four she went to the shop of Mrs Francis, registry office, High street, and succeeded in borrowing a shilling of Mrs Francis, saying she had dropped her purse, and wanted a shilling to get back to Brighton. She also tried a similar dodge on at a little grocer’s shop opposite Mr Lipscomb, the butcher, but without success. She also called on Mr Sanders, and thanked him for his kindness to her during the time she was confined there. She had not been in Lewes long before Superintendent Jenner received a letter from Mr Chief Officer White, stating that he wanted her on a charge of robbing her lodgings. It appears that she is about 28 years of age, 5ft 1in in height, fair complexion, dark brown hair, slight make, born at Shrewsbury, is of good address, having been educated for a governess, and appears to be in somewhat delicate health. She is believed to be dressed in dark clothes. It will be seen, from our police report, that the “fair deceiver” has since been “landed” by a clever detective of the Brighton force.
— Brighton Guardian, Wednesday 18 January 1865 source
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MONDAY, JANUARY 16th.
Present: The MAYOR, M. D. SCOTT. J. ALLFREE, and W. M. HOLLIS, Esqrs.Sarah Rose Edith Westwood, 25, alias Harcourt Vernon, alias Weston, was charged with stealing a towel and a night dress.
Elizabeth Brooker, a servant employed by Mrs Goodwin, said prisoner had lodged at the house of her mistress. After she left witness missed the towel produced, belonging to Mrs France, and which had been lent to the prisoner for her use. The prisoner left in a cab without giving any notice of her intention to leave. She returned in a cab the same day, but her mistress refused to admit her.
Elizabeth Goodwin said she lived at 94, King’s road, and kept a lodging house. The prisoner came to live at her house on Wednesday last; she engaged a furnished dining room and two bedrooms. There was only herself at first, but the prisoner brought her servant about 11 o’clock the same evening. She and her servant left the house the next day without giving any notice. Prisoner told her she wanted the rooms for two months at the least, and said she might require them for six months. Only Dr Winter visited prisoner, though several gentlemen called after she had gone. Prisoner paid no money in advance, but engaged to pay weekly. After prisoner had left witness missed the towel produced from her bedroom; it belonged to Mrs France. Prisoner said she was a clergyman’s daughter, and that she had been living on the Grand parade, but that she left because it was a dull part of the town.
Detective Starley said about a quarter past nine the previous evening he apprehended the prisoner at 49, Norfolk square. He charged her with stealing the towel and night dress. Prisoner replied, “If anybody lends you anything, that’s not felony.” He then brought her to the Hall.
The charge against prisoner of stealing the night dress was then heard.
Elizabeth Goodwin said the first night prisoner took the lodgings she lent her the night dress produced, because she said her luggage had not arrived. Prisoner told her she expected her luggage the following morning, and that she should send her servant after it. She, however, left the next day without giving any notice; her servant left the same day. After prisoner left and before the servant had gone she missed the night dress, which was worth 5s.
Detective Mann repeated the evidence already given, and added that he found the night dress in prisoner’s bedroom in Norfolk Square.
The Chief Officer stated that prisoner borrowed all the money from her servant what the young woman had, amounting to 5s, and had not since paid her.
Prisoner acknowledged taking away the towel, but said she intended to return it and should have done so had she been allowed to come back. She took it to be washed as it was dirty. She could prove that she received money weekly from her guardian, a solicitor at Shrewsbury. She had been three times in a lunatic asylum. She also took the night dress away with the intention of having it washed and returning it.
The Chief Officer said he knew prisoner under three names. She had already obtained goods under false pretences from the Gloucester Hotel. The first time he formed her acquaintance was about four years ago when a clergyman told him prisoner had imposed upon him in Wales. Prisoner then left Brighton and returned about 12 months ago, and since then she had been convicted in other towns for obtaining goods under false pretences.
Prisoner was committed for trial to the Sessions.
Prisoner: I consider it a “hard case.” I have been three times in a lunatic asylum and I do foolish things sometimes. I think it very hard that I should be again shut up in gaol without having an opportunity to recover my health. I am willing to pay for the articles or to be bound over to appear at any future time, but not to be shut up in a gaol. Will you allow me bail?
Mr Scott: Yes, you may have bail; but they must be householders of this town.
The Chief Officer said it must be very substantial bail. Prisoner had already defrauded many tradesmen of the town.
Prisoner: They shall all have their goods back again.
The Chief Officer: Mr Bailey will not be able to recover his 32s worth of oysters. (Laughter.)
At the request of prisoner she was allowed bail of persons in other towns. Herself to be bound in £50 in each case, and two sureties in £25 each in each case.
— Brighton Guardian, Wednesday 18 January 1865 source
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MONDAY, JAN. 16.
Present—The Mayor, M. D. Scott, B. Stent, J. Allfree, and W. M. Hollis, Esqrs.
SARAH ROSE EDITH WESTWOOD, alias HARCOURT VERNON, alias WESTON, 25, (looking much older), was brought up charged with stealing a towel from her lodgings 35, Grand Parade.
Fanny Brooker, a servant, in the employ of Mrs France, 35, Grand Parade, said the prisoner had been lodging in the house for a few days. She occupied a furnished sitting-room and bedroom until the day she left, which was on the previous Wednesday, when she drove up to the door in a cab, but her mistress refused to admit her into the house, and a few things belonging to her were handed to her out of the window. The towel, which was afterwards discovered missing, was lent to her for her use.
Elizabeth Goodwin, 94, Queen’s Road, lodging-house keeper, said the prisoner came to her house on the previous Wednesday, and hired a furnished sitting-room and two bedrooms. The prisoner’s servant came to the house about eleven o’clock the same night. She left on the following day, without giving any notice, and the servant left shortly afterwards. She came back and told her that her mistress had driven away in a cab. She took the rooms for two months certain, but said that probably she should stay there for six months. She was to pay for the hire weekly. Prisoner left a towel behind her, belonging to the prosecutrix in the last case.
Detective Mann deposed to apprehending the prisoner, about a quarter-past nine the previous evening, at 49, Norfolk Square; he told her she was charged with stealing a towel, from the house of Mrs France, and she replied, “If anybody lends you anything, that’s not felony.” He then brought her to the Hall.
The prosecutrix, Goodwin, in addition to her previous statement, said the prisoner told her, on her arrival, on Wednesday, that her luggage had not yet arrived, although she had ordered it that day—she expected it would come the following morning. She (prosecutrix) then volunteered to lend her a night-gown for use that night, and she accepted it. She went away the next day, with the night-gown on. The one now produced was the same, and she missed it the same day as the prisoner left, but before the servant left the house.
Detective Mann said, when he took the prisoner into custody on the other charge, he told her of this, and her reply was the same as before. He found the gown in a cupboard in her bedroom.
This was the whole of the evidence, and, after a repetition of it by the Clerk, Mr Scott asked the prisoner what she had to say in defence?
The prisoner said she did not intend to steal either of the articles, she should have taken the towel back, had they admitted her into the house on the Grand Parade; and, as to the bedgown, she intended to take that back again, as she had only sent it to the wash.
Mr Scott asked the prosecutrix if the prisoner had any reference when she took her lodgings?
Mrs Goodwin replied in the negative. Prisoner told her she was a clergyman’s daughter, and she thought that was sufficient.
The Chief Officer, in reply to the Bench, said this woman was a most notorious swindler and had already duped about twenty tradesmen in Brighton. He might also inform the Bench, that she stopped at the Bedford Hotel on the night of the 12th inst. About that time she hired a fly of Mr Herriott, West Street, and wished to be driven to Littlehampton. The flyman drove her there, but on their arrival at a bridge she had no money to pay the toll; they, however, went on to Littlehampton, and she there engaged a servant girl, of whom she borrowed 6s., and then returned to Brighton, paying the toll as she came back. On her arrival here she gave the cabman half-a-crown and told him she would settle with Mr Herriott, but this she had not done. He was perfectly satisfied this was not the only servant she had borrowed money of. She passed in the name of Weston on the Grand Parade, and obtained goods from the Glo’ster Hotel in that name. Among the numerous towns which the prisoner had visited and swindled the tradespeople he mentioned those of Hastings, Dover, and Ramsgate. She had previously been to Brighton, when she took up her abode in Hampton Place, in the name of Harcourt, and duped Mr Gould and several other tradesmen. She was at last hunted out of the town. He also said he might as well state that since she had been in custody she had taken off a pair of drawers and a jacket and delivered them up to the rightful owners.
Mr Scott said the Bench had determined to send her for trial at the Sessions.
The prisoner (who tried to squeeze out a cry) said she thought it very hard that she should be sent back to prison again—she had just undergone fifteen month’s imprisonment—was now in a very bad state of health, and she thought it too bad to send her to prison when she had not stolen anything, and before she had recovered her health.
Mr Scott—But you have been taken great care of there. (“Laughter.“)
Prisoner—I have been three times in a Lunatic Asylum. I have a weekly allowance of £4, and I am willing to pay for anything that is missing. I pay my way wherever I go.
The Chief Officer said prisoner had obtained a valuable shawl from Messrs Hannington’s, and he was sure they would never see the money for it. There was also a bill of Mr Hayllar’s, of “32s,” for oysters; and Messrs Hedges and Butler were also among the list of those victimized.
The prisoner applied to the Bench for bail.
The Chief Officer said he would not object to bail, but he must ask that it should be of a most substantial character.
Mr Scott told the prisoner he would accept bail, herself in her own recognizance of £25, and two sureties of £25 each, in each case—they must be householders.
The prisoner was then committed to take her trial at the next Sessions.
— Brighton Gazette, Thursday 19 January 1865 source
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Sarah Rose Edith Westwood, 29, single woman, was charged with stealing a towel let to her for her use with her lodgings, the property of Mary France.
Mr Lumley Smith prosecuted; prisoner was undefended.
Fanny Brooker said she was in the service of Mrs Frances, of 35, Grand Parade, in January last. Prisoner came to lodge at the house of her mistress on 21st of December. She stayed to the 11th of January, and her mistress refused to let her remain any longer. The towel produced was the property of Mrs France.
Elizabeth Goodwin, of 94, King’s Road, said the prisoner engaged lodgings at her house on the 11th of January. She engaged the rooms for two months, but left the following day, without giving any notice of her intention to do so. The towel produced was found in a drawer in prisoner’s bedroom.
Detective Mann apprehended prisoner on the 15th of January. He charged her with stealing the towel, and she replied, “If anyone lends you anything that isn’t felony.” He then charged her with stealing the nightdress.
Prisoner acknowledged taking the towel away, but said she went back to Mrs France’s to restore it; but she was not allowed to re-enter the house. She had no intention whatever of stealing the towel.
The Recorder having read over the evidence,
The jury found a verdict of Not Guilty.
Prisoner was then further charged with stealing a nightgown, value 5s., the property of Leonard Goodwin, on the 12th January last.
Mr Lumley Smith prosecuted in this case also; prisoner was not defended by counsel.
Elizabeth Goodwin repeated her evidence given in the former case respecting the prisoner engaging apartments at her house. She engaged a servant, and said she expected her luggage in the course of the afternoon. No luggage however came, and at night witness lent her a night dress. The next day prisoner left about mid-day, and never returned. After she left, she missed the night dress produced; it was worth 5s.
Detective Man apprehended prisoner on the 15th Jan. at 9, Norfolk Square. He found the night dress produced in her bedroom. When charged with stealing it she replied that if anyone lent her anything that was not felony.
Prisoner stated that she left her lodgings because she was “followed by the police everywhere.” She took the night dress away to be washed; she had no intention to steal it.
The jury found the prisoner guilty.
Prisoner pleaded guilty to a previous conviction at Hastings. She thought it a “hard case.”
The Chief Officer stated that he had known the prisoner for the last five years. She had swindled more tradesmen than any other person who ever came to Brighton.
Prisoner was committed to 18 months’ hard labour.
— Brighton Guardian, Wednesday 22 March 1865 source
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ROBBING LODGINGS.
SARAH ROSE EDITH WESTWOOD, 29, single woman, respectably-attired, was indicted for stealing one towel, let to her for her use with her lodgings, the property of MARY FRANCES, of 35, Grand Parade.
It appeared that the prisoner took the lodgings on the 21st December, and left on the 11th January, without giving notice, and, after she was gone, a towel was missing. She then took lodgings at the house of LEONARD GOODWIN, 94, King’s Road, where she remained only one night, and after she was gone, the missing towel was found in a drawer in the room she slept in.
Detective Mann stated that he apprehended the prisoner, and charged her with stealing the towel, and she replied, “If anyone lends you anything that is not a felony.”
The evidence with regard to the theft seemed not exactly clear, and the Jury “Acquitted” the prisoner.
The prisoner was then charged with stealing a night-dress from the residence of Mrs Goodwin.
It appeared from the evidence of Mrs Goodwin that the prisoner took apartments at her house after she left the Grand Parade. She came late at night, and represented that her luggage was coming, but, as it did not come, she lent her a night-gown to sleep in. The next morning she left, taking the night-gown with her.
The prisoner, in her defence said the gown was lent to her, and she intended to return it.
The Jury found the prisoner guilty, and a previous conviction was proved against her.
The Recorder asked the Chief-Officer if he knew anything of the prisoner?
Mr White replied that he had known the prisoner about five years, that this was her third visit to Brighton, and he supposed that she had swindled more tradesman here than any other person that ever came into the town. She was now out upon bail to answer a charge if called upon by the Dover Magistrates.
The prisoner stated that she had been in a good position, and that her friends had ill-used her.
The Recorder sentenced the prisoner to “Eighteen months’ hard labour.”
— Brighton Gazette, Thursday 23 March 1865 source
| First name(s) | Sarah Rose Edith |
|---|---|
| Last name | Westwood |
| Year | 1865 |
| Session date | 17 Mar 1865 |
| Court | Brighton |
| Archive | The National Archives |
| Source | Home Office: Criminal Registers, England And Wales, 1805-1892 |
| Series | HO 27 |
| Documents | Records created or inherited by the Home Office, Ministry of Home Security, and related bodies |
| Piece | 142 |
| Piece scope | Salop. - Yorks and Welsh counties |
| Record set | England & Wales, Crime, Prisons & Punishment, 1770-1935 |
| Category | Institutions & organisations |
| Subcategory | Prison Registers |
| Collections from | England, Great Britain, Wales |
| Archive reference | HO 27/142 |
