BARONESS AND A MISSING MINIATURE

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17832, 28 April 1926, Page 10

BARONESS AND A MISSING MINIATURE

TRIAL ON CHARGE OF THEFT AT HOME. LONDON. March 4. Many fashionably-dressed women attended the trial ait Lewis Assize:; yesterday of Baroness Georgette Osten Sacken, aged twenty-nine, a Russian, who was charged with stealing a miniature from Sir Archibald Watkin Hamilton at Selsey, on December 2G. The Baroness did not understand English, and the charge was repeated in French by an interpreter. She pleaded not guilty. For the prosecution. Mr Flowers said it was alleged that the baroness stole the miniature. The defence was that the miniature was given to her. Major Moss, who lived at Ford Place, near Arundel, made the acquaintance of Baron Sacken and his wife, and the result was that he and Mrs Moss invited them to stay at Ford Place for Christmas. Major and Mrs Moss knew Sir Archibald Hamilton quite well. On the afternoon of Boxing Day Mrs Moss motored to Sir Archibald’s house, taking the Baron with her. The Baroness and her husband .vere strangers to Sir Archibald. The usual introductions took place, and they all had tea. In Sir Archibald's house was a large number of valuable curios, and Mrs Moss asked him to show tftem over the house. This was done. FIRST MEETING. On December 31 Sir Archibald missed a very beautiful miniature painted by Russell, which was an heirloom and valued at £SOO. Superintendent Brett and Sergeant Savage arrested the Baroness and her husband at Southampton, and the miniature was found in th&

woman's handbag. The Baron was acquitted at the Police Court hearing, and the Baroness was sent for trial. Sir Archibald had a life interest in the miniature, but on his death it went to his brother. It was not his to give away. Mr Flowers asked if ladies usuallv accepted presents of great value front complete strangers after having had tea with them on one occasion. Major Geoffrey Moss said that when he invited the Baron and Baroness to spend Christmas, it was the first tiine he had seen the Baroness. Sir Archibald Hamilton gave the Mohammedan oath. He said that when he showed the party round the house the ladies went first and he and the Baron followed. Mr Flowers: Did you have any conversation with the Barones* going round the house?—Not that I can remember. Were you ever alone in any room with the Baroness? - Certainly not. Mr Keeves: When you first met the P»aroness were you at all attracted to her? Well, that is a very embarrassing question. From the sinister point, of view, no, I certainly was not at t ratted to her, any more than I should be attracted to any transient guest whom I had the pleasure of entertaining. I thought the Baron was equally pleasant. Mr Keeves: Would it be correct to say that you were quite overcome by the beauty of the Baroness?—No, sir. You are interested and appreciate ladies, do you not?—! may have dona so. but I am in my fiftieth year. I aman older, AftcL by the blessing of Allah, 1 hope, a wiser man. Mr Keeves: I suggest that the. Baroness had got the miniature in her hand admiring it, and that you put your hand over hers and said something in English ending with the words “for you”— That is an utter and ?nThe hearing was adjourned, the Baroness being released c-u bail.