Cambridge Independent Press 8 Jan 1909: Theft from Mrs Mary Wright

DOMESTIC SERVANT’S DISHONESTY

AT TRUMPINGTON.

Cambridge Girl Before the County Magistrates.

At the Cambridge Division Petty Sessions on Saturday, before Professor Liveing (in the chair), Canon Pemberton, J. O. Vintner, W. A. Macfarlane Grieve, D. Munsey, W. W. Clear, and H. G. Few, Esqs.

Ida Brown, a domestic servant, of 35 Argyle-street, Cambridge, was summoned for stealing a silver enamel locket, an Indian silver enamel bangle, a Venetian bracelet, and two Church books, of the value of 45s., the property of Mrs. Mary Marshall Wright, at Trumpington, between December 21st and December 28th.

Mrs. Wright stated that the defendant entered her employ as a domestic servant at the beginning of December. In consequence of what witness was told, she went to defendant’s bedroom on December 29th, and in the pocket of a dress hanging behind the door found the necklace and bracelet referred to in the charge. The locket was found in the pocket of a jacket hanging near the dress. On being asked to account for the things being in her possession, defendant said she found them in the rubbish basket.

On December 30th Sergeant Pallant showed witness the books, and she identified them as her property. The jewellery was usually kept on her dressing-room table.

P. s. Pallant, stationed at Trumpington, stated that in consequence of a message received from Mrs. Wright he went to the house on December 29th, and was shown the articles of jewellery. Defendant was charged with the theft of them, and she replied, “I don’t understand you,” adding that she found the articles in the waste paper basket when her mistress was away in London. Witness went to the defendant’s house the next day, and her mother handed him the books, which she said her daughter sent home a few days previous. Defendant, who was present, said that the books were given to her at the door of Mrs. Wright’s house by a man whom she allowed to take away some old bottles. Mrs. Wright subsequently identified the books as her property.

Defendant now pleaded guilty, and confessed that she took the articles from a drawer.

The Bench dealt with the case under the Probation of Offenders’ Act, and bound the defendant over to come up for judgment if called upon within twelve months.