LIBERTY OF ST ALBANS MIDSUMMER SESSIONS.
Thursday, June 30.
— Fanny Roberts, (44) Petersfield, Hants, charged with stealing 13 wine glasses, 2 egg cups, a brass footman, a plated spoon, 2 cups, 2 saucers, a stove brush, ? pieces stair carpet, a knife and fork, 3 plated, and 2 pairs of curtains, the property of Peter O’Hara Brady, her master. Verdict, guilty: sentenced to 12 months imprisonment to hard labour.
Hertford Mercury & Reformer — Saturday 9 July 1864
ST ALBAN’S.
LIBERTY MIDSUMMMER QUARTER SESSIONS
(Before Mr. Sergeant Woolwich)
FELONY AT WATFORD
Fanny Roberts, 44, of Petersfield, Hants, was charged with feloniously stealing thirteen wine glasses, two egg cups, a brass footman, a plated spoon, two cups, two saucers, a stove brush, three pieces of stair carpet, a knife and fork, three plates, and two pairs of curtains, the property of her master, Mr. Peter O'Hara Brady, surgeon, of Watford.
On the indictment being read over to the prisoner, she said ‟I am guilty, but not of the wine glasses and of the things you have just read.”
Mr. DORANT : If you plead guilty to stealing some of the articles in the indictment and not others, we must take your plea as being one of guilty to the charge.
The prisoner: I am guilty.
Mr. WOOLLETT, on behalf of the prisoner, said he had been instructed to urge certain matters in favour of the prisoner. He wished to say that it was entirely her own desire to plead guilty, and did not in the slightest degree emanate from him. He had looked over the depositions and all he could say was that the articles she was charged with stealing in the indictment, were small and trifling, and of no great value. Why a woman in her position should be induced to take these articles he could not understand. It appeared from his instructions that no charge had ever been made against her before, that she was a widow and had lived at Watford five years without any stain having been cast upon her character. He was told the prosecutor would kindly recommend her to mercy, and with tbese few observations he would leave the case in the hands of the Court. Two friends of the prisoners had promised to speak as to her character, but they were not forthcoming.
Mr. Brady said he wished to recommend the prisoner to mercy. He had not positive proof that she had robbed him before. She came into his service about a month before, and she appeared to be a respectable woman and of good character. He had no personal knowledge of any other charge against her.
The prisoner here appeared to be very much overcome with emotion.
The Chairman said : We will not aggravate your position by making any observations as to your crime. You have pleaded guilty to the offence, and you must be imprisoned in the House of Correction with hard labour, for twelve calendar months.