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RYDE PETTY SESSIONS, SATURDAY.—Magistrate in attendance: Mr. T. M. Leacock.
Edith Westwood, alias Sarah Rabbits, Lady Douglas, Mrs. Colonel Harcourt, and a number of other aliases, was brought up on remand on a charge of stealing a cloth jacket, two petticoats, and a cameo brooch, the property of Miss Ida McKay, of Flora Cottage, Melville-street.
—It appeared that defendant took lodgings at the house, and on the previous day became so friendly with the prosecutrix that she wore the articles then produced by Serjeant Troke, and which Miss McKay identified as her property. She had never offered to lend them to her.
—Prisoner requested a remand for a week, as her solicitor, Mr. Chitty, could not then attend. It was fortunate for her that this request was refused by the bench, as no solicitor could have handled the case so dexterously as she did. Indeed, so well did she manage it that the magistrate did not consider that there was sufficient evidence to warrant him in committing her.
—Shortly after this the lady took lodgings in Simeon-street, and ordered a fire with tea and refreshments. On the owner asking some time after if she wished any articles ordered, she replied that she expected her servant and luggage from the Pier in the course of the evening, and then she would see to it. This aroused suspicion, and the worthy landlord, having gone to make enquiries, returned with the conviction that he had entertained the veritable Sarah Rabbits, and ordered her out of the house at once. It is now understood that she has gone to pay our Ventnor friends a visit.
— Hampshire Advertiser, Saturday 30 November 1867 source
Gotta say, refusing an adjournment until the solicitor turns up seems utterly unreasonable on the part of the magistrate.