Violet Charlesworth Explained

May Charlesworth, known as Violet Charlesworth (January 1884 – after 1912) was a British fraudster.^[1]

After obtaining money by misrepresenting herself as an heiress she faked her death in Wales on 2 January 1909. She was found and brought to trial.

She and her mother Miriam Charlesworth were sentenced to three years' penal servitude (reduced from an initial sentence of five years when the judge reconsidered his verdict); their appeal against the sentence was dismissed.^{[2] [3] [4]}

She was released from prison in February 1912^[5] but nothing is known of her later life.

Her story attracted international attention.^[6]

Notes and References

1. Book: Thomas. Harry. Harry Thomas' Memory Lane, Volume 1. 2003. Gwasg Helygain. 9780952275565. 32–33. https://books.google.com/books?id=FZXHihBd-AIC&q=%22violet+charlesworth%22&pg=PA32. 2 May 2018. Rhyl's fraudulent heiress Violet Charlesworth.
2. News: The Assizes: Midlands Circuit: The Charlesworth Case: Sentence. 2 May 2018. The Times. 24 February 1910. 4.
3. News: The Assizes: Midlands Circuit: Mrs. and Miss Charlesworth: Sentence reduced. 2 May 2018. The Times. 26 February 1910. 4.
4. News: Court of Criminal Appeal: Rex v. Charlesworth. 2 May 2018. The Times. 19 March 1910. 4.
5. News: Violet Charlesworth released. 2 May 2018. Wanganui Times. 12849. 13 February 1912.
6. News: FIND GIRL SWINDLER; IS ALIVE AND WELL; Violet Charlesworth, Who Said She Was Heiress to Millions, Is at Oban, Scotland. A TELEGRAM GAVE CLUE Sister Who Declared Violet Was Tossed from Motor Over Cliff Goes to Her.. 2 May 2018. New York Times. 18 January 1909.