On this day in Yorkshire
An ex-teacher's escapade at York
March 11, 1902
At the York Police Court yesterday, Ada Brentwood Bowman, a stylishly dressed young woman, pleaded guilty to three charges of obtaining food and lodgings and some articles of wearing apparel by false pretences.
The prisoner, who is 26 years of age, had been allowed to run up accounts at the Minster Restaurant and at Mrs Hannah Pearce’s shop on the strength of false statements, and at Clifton she obtained food and lodgings to the value of 14s by representing that she was employed as a detective by Scotland Yard authorities to conduct observations on a lady in connection with certain proceedings.
Mr Dashwood Carter, who was appearing for the accused, said her story was a distressing one. She belonged to a good family at Huntington, and had been employed as a school teacher at Stockton-on-Forest.
She was dismissed from there on December 6 in consequence of a report from the Inspector. She was afraid to tell them at home, and left each morning and returned at night as if still attending the school.
It was discovered on January 20, however, and the next day the prisoner left home, and was leard no more of till arrested.
The Rev E.B. Firth, vicar of Huntington, gave the prisoner a good character.
The magistrates sent her to gaol for three months in the second division, remarking that she would not thus have to meet habitual criminals.
To browse our historic pages online visit the British Newspaper Archive