Women made up story of needy orphans as part of begging scam

On the first Friday of October 1872, Mr. Gibbons the Chief Constable received information that two women had been visiting homes in Preston begging for money.

- with Keith Johnson

They said they were collecting on behalf of a Captain Roberts from Liverpool who had died suddenly in New York, and whose widow had since died, leaving six children who were entirely destitute and living with them in Preston.

Consequently the two young women, who were respectably dressed, appeared at the Preston Police Court the following Monday charged with obtaining money by false pretences. Mr. Gibbons telling the hearing that sisters Elizabeth Barker, aged 25, and Maria Barker, aged 27, had been apprehended at their lodgings in Butler Street. He stated that when accused of the crime, they had responded by saying they were highly connected, and begged hard to be forgiven as they were escorted to the police station where they were searched. Elizabeth handing over a purse containing three sovereigns and £3 in silver coins and also a gold watch.