BOW-STREET. Elizabeth Fairbanks, aged 18, a wastepaper sorter at a stationer's, was charged with writing obscene words on the wall of a house.

    Mr. Howard, one of the church Wardens, stated that for some days past his attention had teen called to a certain house in Chandos-street as being one of immoral character. On Sunday night he was passing that way, and saw the prisoner a younger girl writing on the wall of the house in question. The prisoner had a can of some black fluid in her hand, and was dictating to the younger girl certain indecent  words, which the other was writing with a brush on the shutter. After that the prisoner took the brush and  also wrote the same word, (Witness repeated the expressions, which implied that the house was one of bad character.) He. gave her into custody.

   The prisoner's employer said she had hitherto borne a good character, and he had never known bet to be guilty of any indecency.

    Mr. Flowers said, if that was so, he was only the more surprised that she should be guilty of such conduct now. He could not comprehend how any young woman, with the slightest pretence to decency, could bring herself to repeat such words, even in writing.. Yet, she had not only done that, but had stood there calling people's attention to those words. Perhaps the worst part of her conduct was, that she had told the younger girl to do the same.

    The prisoner said the other began it.

    Mr. Flowers ordered her to pay a fine of 10s., or be imprisoned for seven days.

 

The Morning Post, Jan 31, 1865

43. A gentleman complains to you of rude and indecent words being chalked on the outside of his premises, by children from a neighbouring street. Having before complained to the police of similar nuisance, with no effect, he now wishes strong measures to be taken. What steps would you take?

 

    P.C   ...............(No.)   ...............(name), reports that at   ............... a.m.   ...............inst., a gentleman   ...............(name)   ...............(occupation)   ...............(address), complained of great annoyance caused by children from   ...............Street (adjoining) chalking rude and indecent words on the outside of his walls and shutters ; and also stated that having before complained of similar nuisance, he now wished strong measures to be taken to prevent a recurrence.

    P.C. at once obliterated the words complained of, and informed complainant that he would duly report the matter so that it should be read out to each relief; and in the meantime he would keep strict observation to detect the offenders.