South Eastern Gazette, 18 October 1853.

Ellen O’Brien, 50, and Ellen O’Brien, 29, her daughter, were indicted for stealing, on the 26th September last, at Chatham, one watch, one guard, one handkerchief, and 16s., the property of James Allden. Mr. Rose prosecuted.

From the evidence of the prosecutor, a private in the Royal Marines, it appeared that he met the younger prisoner in Chatham, and accompanied her to the "Ordnance Arms" public-house, where they passed the night. On awaking next morning he found his companion had left, and that the several articles named in the indictment had been stolen from him. On the following morning the elder prisoner pawned two handkerchiefs at Mr. Stingant’s, pawn-roker, at Brompton, one of which was that stolen from the prosecutor. On being questioned by the constable, Hulse, she equivocated, at first saving that she picked them up, and afterwards, that her daughter had given them to her. The younger prisoner pledged the watch and chain with a pawnbroker at Gravesend, in a false name.

The defence set up by the elder prisoner was, that her daughter gave her the handkerchief to pawn, the younger prisoner declaring that the prosecutor gave her the articles as a present.

The jury returned a verdict of guilty against the younger prisoner, and guilty of receiving against the elder prisoner, at the same time recommending her to mercy on account of her age.

The Recorder, in passing sentence, said both prisoners had been in custody before, the elder prisoner for attempting to poison her husband, and the younger prisoner for felony, but were then fortunate enough to escape conviction. He then sentenced each of them to six months’ hard labour.