CASTLE IN SUSSEX

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLV, Issue 285, 5 November 1925, Page 4

CASTLE IN SUSSEX

CHARGES AGAINST OWNER “YOUNG GIRLS DAZZLED.” LONDON, Oct. 24. The charges against Hayley Morris, a wealthy county magnate, of Sussex, and Mrs Madeline Roberts, aged 20, his pretty housekeeper, of conspiring to procure a girl aged 15} years, was heard in the Uckfield court. The defendants drove in a motor car to the court, where crowds had assembled from surrounding villages. Major Thornton was chairman of the bench of four magistrates. Prosecuting counsel caused a sensation by alleging that, in addition to the girl mentioned in the original charge, Morriss, by advertisements, offering domestic employment, had attempted to procure several others, including some under 16 years. Counsel handed the bench a list of other charges of the utmost gravity. They were not read publicly. Counsel stated that Morriss was aged 35, wealthy and unmarried, and lived in a castle in Sussex. Roberts posed as his housekeeper, but the prosecution believed that her real name was Phyllis Stevens, and that she was engaged in a conspiracy for the systematic seduction of young girls. Advertisements seeking chambermaids, companions and cooks, specifically stated that experience was unnecessary. The only qualifications, apparently, were youthfulness and attractiveness. One advertisement required a “ladylike girl of gentle birth to look after large dogs, experience unnecessary, but commonsense essential.” Morriss interviewed the applicants in his Jermyn street flat, in London. If they were unattractive he didn’t mention his Sussex mansion. The original charge arose from a complaint by a girl, aged 18, to her parents, that Morriss, within 48 hours ol engaging her, entered her bedroom at night time. She resisted his advances, but accompanied Morriss and Roberts in his Rolls Royee limousine to a dance at Brighton the following night. The girl was afraid to be left in the house on their return, and the police found her wandering on the road. She should be congratulated on her strong will power, said counsel. Girls’ were undoubtedly dazzled by tbe novel, aristocratic and wealthy surroundings and motor trips, continued counsel. Roberts persuaded her fatherless sister, aged 14, to enter Morriss’s employ, and go to Moriss’s bedroom. £SOOO BAIL. The defendants were remanded. The police asked for substantial bail, pointing out that Morriss bad no ties, and might leave the country. Morrisss was admitted to bail of £SOOO, and Roberts in £2OO. Morriss is a brother of Mr B. Morriss, the millionaire industrialist and newspaper proprietor of Shanghai, who owns Manna, the winner of the 1925 English Derby.