In past blogs I have featured some of the characters who graced the Victorian police courts with their presence in the 19th century.
Another of these “characters” was featured in The Illustrated Police News on Saturday the 1st of March 1890:-
A WEST END NUISANCE
At the Marlborough-street Police Court, on Monday, Catherine Harris, a tall woman, of a certain age, was brought up for annoying gentlemen by begging of them in Piccadilly at an early hour on Sunday morning.
She carried a basket of faded flowers, which Marlow, the assistant-gaoler, took from her, and placed at her feet.
A WELL KNOWN BEGGAR
Constable Wise said that the prisoner was a well known beggar, and a nightly frequenter of Piccadilly and the neighbourhood. She was in the habit of offering her flowers for sale to gentlemen, and when they refused to buy she followed and abused them.
One gentleman had to cross the road near Swallow-street to rid himself of her importunities.
TAKEN INTO CUSTODY
Then she came back to the St. James’s Restaurant and “started” onto another gentleman who was heard to say, “For Heaven’s sake, missis, go away. I have nothing to give you.”
As she persisted in this line of conduct the witness took her into custody, and then he was met with a volley of abuse.
HE’S TELLING FALSEHOODS
The prisoner (who was a tall woman), said, “Look here, magistrate, and listen to me. Now, do perceive that man’s countenance. Can’t you see he’s telling falsehoods? (Laughter.) It’s a wonder he’s not struck dead. Look at his wicked eye. (Laughter.)
Now he’s laughing. He’s telling all the lies he can think of to make it hot for me. (Laughter.)
HER PRETTY FLOWERS
I simply spoke to a lady, and asked her to buy one of my pretty flowers, and she said, “I’m going into the restaurant, and when I come out, Kate, I’ll buy one of you.”
Just look at my pretty flowers now; they’re all faded and spoilt.”
The constable added that he saw her accost two gentlemen.
The Prisoner:- “There he goes again, with more of his lies.” (Laughter.)
THE POLICE COULDN’T DO ANYTHING WITH HER
Inspector Elridge described the prisoner ae a perfect nuisance.
The police, he said, could not do anything with her.
Sergeant Brewer said that she had been sentenced many times, and she always spoke of her “pretty flowers.”
OUR BLESSED LORD
The Prisoner:- “Goodness gracious! Here’s another of them.
Our blessed Lord suffered for seven weeks running all of a stretch so as to overcome his enemies, and here’s another of them turned up.” (Laughter).
CORROBORATIVE EVIDENCE
Constable Lewis was called to give corroborative evidence.
He said that he saw her speak to every gentleman who came along.
The Prisoner:- “Oh, dear, dear; why, it’s something awful! This man says I spoke to every gentleman – the whole lot who were in Piccadilly. (Laughter.)
I am going to be hung, it seems, this morning.” (Much laughter.)
AN APPEAL TO THE MAGISTRATE
(To the magistrate):- “You’re a gentleman: I can talk to you. These ‘ere policemen have made up all these lies to get me into prison.
One tells lies and calls the other to back him up.
The pair can tell as many lies as twenty auctioneers.
Let me go this time, and I’ll disappear altogether – never go into the neighbourhood again.”
SENTENCED TO FOURTEEN DAYS
Mr. Hannay:- “Fourteen days’ hard labour.”
The prisoner (looking defiantly at Constable Wise):- “It’s all through you. Look at him, sir; see how he’s laughing. I should only like to get at him.” (Laughter. )
Marlow:- “Now, Mrs. Harris, come along.”
And, giving another determined look ab the constables, she was soon lodged in a cell at the rear.