Letter from the Home Office to the Justices at Richmond, Surrey, 25 February 1913 (HO 144/1255/234788)
Transcript
Home Office
Whitehall
25th February 1913
Sir,
I am directed by the Secretary State to say that he thinks that he ought to inform the Justices of the circumstances in which Lilian Lenton alais Ida Inkley, who was charged at Richmond on the 20th instant with setting fire to a building and was remanded until the 27th instant, has been released from Prison. On her reception in H.M. Prison, Holloway, this woman refused to take food and by Sunday morning her condition was such that it became necessary to administer food artificially. After such examination as was possible this was done, but she did not retain most of the food, and her condition became so serious that in the opinion of the experienced Medical Officer of the Prison her life would have been in immediate danger if forcible feeding had been continued or if she had been allowed to remain longer without food. On these facts being urgently represented to him by the Medical Officer, the Secretary of State felt had no choice but to allow her to be discharged from prison. She was removed about 6 pm., on the 23rd instant to 34 Harrington Square, Mornington Crescent to the care of her friends.
Before being discharged she promised to attend the Police Court on remand, but as it is understood that her medical adviser believes that she is suffering from pneumonia, it is possible she may be unable to do so.
I am to add that the other prisoner Joyce Locke alias Olive Wharry has also refused to take food, but it has been possible to feed her artificially without injury to her health,
I am
Sir
Your obedient servant,
(signed) Edward Troup
Your telegram of today’s date has been received after this letter has been written.