South Eastern Gazette, 22 May, 1860.

COUNTY PETTY SESSIONS.

Monday, (Before the Mayor, and W. M. Smith, Esq).

A Melancholy Case.

Frances Mary Pearcy and Jane Maxted were charged with stealing two blankets and some sheets, the property of George Herrington.

The prisoners occupied lodgings at the prosecutor’s house, the "King’s Head," Brompton, and had only been there a few days when they stole the sheets and blankets and pledged them. The prisoners had only just arrived from Canterbury to lead an improper life at Chatham. Their parents are very respectable. The prisoner Pearcy was stated to be a highly educated girl, having been brought up in France, where she is expected to come into possession of a great deal of property bequeathed to her.

Mr. Smith gave the prisoners some serious advice, and sentenced each to a month’s imprisonment. The learned magistrate told the prosecutrix her house was nothing more than a common brothel, and Mr. Furrell, the clerk, was directed to take a note of the house, in order that the attention of the licensing magistrates may be called to it at the next annual licensing day. The prosecutrix was likewise refused her expenses.