EXTRA ORDINARY CAREER OF A FEMALE SWINDLER.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXI, Issue 7002, 26 April 1884, Page 2 (Supplement)

EXTRA ORDINARY CAREER OF A FEMALE SWINDLER.

At the Middlesex Sessions, Elizabeth Geary (thirty-one) was indicted for obtaining by false pretsnoes from Charles Francis Fellows the sum of 20a; from George Crossfield, the sum of 12s; from r Caroline Shephard, the sum of 30s ; and from Lady Charlotte Eliza Murray, the sum of 8s 6d, in each case with intent to defraud. The prisoner pleaded "Guilty'' to all the charges. The following were on the bench who had been also swindled by the prisoner :—Lady Augusta Powlett, Lady Charlotte Eliza Murray, Lady Kobartes, and the Hon. Mrs. Dudley. As it was stated that the prisoner had for upwards of 10 years subsisted entirely by swindling, the case excited considerable interest, fa the case of Mr. Fellows, it appeared that he is a gentleman living at 15, Great Cumberlandplace, and on Dec. 17 the prisoner, who had with her a sickly-looking child, came to his house, stating that she had come from Mrs. Fellows, of Oxford-square, and in consequence she was shown into the drawingroom, where Mr. Fellows saw her, She stated that Lady Eosebery had given her a ticket for the admission of her child to the Firs House, Bournemouth. She said she had no money to pay the railway fare, and, believing her statement to be trne, he gave her a sovereign. She alleged that her husband was working for a Mr. Carr, of 3, Connaughtstreet, but on Mr Fellows making inquiry there, and communicating with the Firs, he found that he had been deceived, and accordingly applied for a warrant for the prisoner's apprehension. On November 26. Lady Charlotte Eliza Murray saw the accused on the parapet of the railings opposite to her house inNeyern-road, South Kensington, apparently very ill. She sent her servant to her, and she was brought into the house and refreshments were given her. She said she was suffering from palpitation of the heart, and .that her husband was in St. Mary's Hospital, and that her little girl was in the Hospital for Children in Great Ormond-street. Believing her story, he ladyship gave her very substantial assistance, but, like all the others, found that she had been the victim of a fraudulent woman. Mr. John Westley also gave her food; paid for a cab to take her to St. Bartholomew's Hospital, and when she was refused admission there, he gave her £3 to pay the expenses of her fare to Torquay. The Assistant-Judge sentenced her to 12 months' hard labour.