COUNTRY GIRLS IN LONDON.

Grey River Argus, Volume IX, Issue 686, 11 June 1870, Page 1 (Supplement)

COUNTRY GIRLS IN LONDON.

«, At the Clerkenwell Police Court on the 21st March, William Leaver, aged 38, described as a patentee, and Amy Law, aged 18, whe said she had no occupation, were charged with being concerned together in stealing a b.jx Containing five dresses, a quantity of wearing apparel, and other articles, the property of Miss Maryanne Fanny Williams, of 13 Duke's road, St. Pancras. The complainant in this case is an orphan, and in November last, whilst residing with her grandmother near Winchester, she saw in the Christian World the following advertisement: — - "Wanted, by a young widower, in business at the West End, a respectable young person as housekeeper, -and to do a little booking in the shop. Send stamped envelope to S. L. W., Christian World Office, Fleet street." The complainant among many others answered that advertisement, and shortly afterwards she received a reply, asking for her " carte de visite," which she sent, and the male prisoner sent her his business card in return. Qn November 20fch, he sent her a letter, staging that he should want her to take his sister's place in his shop, as she was of so bad a temper that she drove the customers away. He met her on the 25th of tliat month at the waitingroom in Winchester, and then engaged her to come to town ©jr the 27th. The complainant did come to town on that day, and tho male, prisoner met her at the Waterloo Station J and then told her that as his sister had not left his place she must reside in a coffee-shop for a few days ; but that she would be entirely to herself, and have no' one to interfere with her. He took her to a coffee-house, and afterwards to the Oxford Music Hall, and from there to the same coffeehouse, where he insisted on remaining with her all night ; and she, feeling that she was entirely in his power, being far away from her home and friends, acceded to liis wishes, he having promised in the most honorable terms to make her his wife. Efe left her at the coffee-house on the following Sunday, aud on the next day he introduced her to the female prisoner, whom he called Miss Lowe, saying she was an assistant at his shop. He then arranged that the complainant was to go and live with the female prisoner in < Titchfield street, Oxford street,.-' until the male prisoner's sister had left. She went to Titchfield street, and the female prisoner remained there, saying that she should not return to the shop until the sister had gone. The complainant and both the prisoners remained at Titchfield street for abc-at a fortnight, and then the prisoners took apartments at Charles street, Middlesex Hospital, giving the names of Mr, Mrs, and Miss Lawson, and that without the consent or knowledge of the complainant. They remained there for about three weeks^and then the female prisoner left, saying she was going to Liverpool, but instead of doing so it appeared that she and tho male prisoner took apartments in the names of Mr and Mrs Peel, at the addresses given in the charge sheet. After that the complainant and the male prisoner went to Swinton street, and lived there for about ten days as man and wife. He then promised to marry her in the name of Lowe, but. when he could no longer keep her in suspiase, he tried to induce her to go inijp the country for a time, as he wished to go to Manchester on business. This she consented to do, and he led her to believe that he would i go to Manchester on the same day, but ou the following day he and the female prisoner went to the lodgings in Swinton street, and took away the whole of the complainant's wearing apparel, jewellery, &c. He paid the rent, and" offered the landlady some stamped envelopes for sale, as well as single postage stamps. The complainant went to Southampton to reside with her brother, whilst she was there she received several letters from the male prisoner. On Feb. 22 she came to town, and wjaj|g||j||ti ! jjby;: : 'the

male prisoner. He then told her that he had given up the lodgings in Swinton street, and had forwarded her boxes to Manchester, and she believing that story, went with him, and stayed at the Leicester Hotel, Judd street, Euston road. The complainant was entitled to a sum of money, about LIOO, left her by her auot at Winchester, and the male prisoner urged her to do all she could to get the money, or some security for it, and he took her to an attorney,, and instructed, him to apply for immediate payment. The will happened to be mislaid, and then ou February 26 he sent her into the country to press on the matter, and told her that she was not to return without the money or some security for it. The will was found, but she was told that six months' notice would be required before payment. She returned to London on the 28th, and the male prisoner met her at the Waterloo station. She communicated the above to him, and he was very much annoyed on finding that she had not got the money. He took her to a coffee-shop in the ifiuston road, where he left her, saying that he would return in an hour ; but he did not do so ; and she walked about the Euston road all night, not having the means to get lodgings. She did not see either of the prisoners again, until she saw them in custody on March 19. The prisoners were taken into custody by Detectives Wakefield and Haydon, of the G division, on their way from Oxford Music Hall, and on being taken- to 15 Granby street, some of the complainants' property was found, as were also a great many letters from young women in all parts of the United Kingdom. Mr Walker asked for a remand, and said that he understood further charges would be preferred against the prisoners. Mr Cooke remanded the prisoners until March 28.