Violet Charlesworth

British fraudster (1884–after 1912)

Violet Charlesworth depicted in a 1909 newspaper.

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.[5][6]

## References[edit]

1. ^ Thomas, Harry (2003). "Rhyl's fraudulent heiress Violet Charlesworth". Harry Thomas' Memory Lane, Volume 1. Gwasg Helygain. pp. 32–33. ISBN 9780952275565. Retrieved 2 May 2018.
2. ^ "The Assizes: Midlands Circuit: The Charlesworth Case: Sentence". The Times. 24 February 1910. p. 4. Retrieved 2 May 2018.
3. ^ "The Assizes: Midlands Circuit: Mrs. and Miss Charlesworth: Sentence reduced". The Times. 26 February 1910. p. 4. Retrieved 2 May 2018.
4. ^ "Court of Criminal Appeal: Rex v. Charlesworth". The Times. 19 March 1910. p. 4. Retrieved 2 May 2018.
5. ^ a b "Violet Charlesworth released". Wanganui Times. No. 12849\. 13 February 1912. Retrieved 2 May 2018.
6. ^ "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". New York Times. 18 January 1909. Retrieved 2 May 2018.

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