History of Dover

Lydia Jarvis an unfortunate, was charged with loitering and obstructing the footway at the bottom of Five Post Lane on the previous afternoon. The charge was proved by P.C. Campany who said he found the prisoner standing at the bottom of Five Post Lane in such a manner as caused a public annoyance. She was without a bonnet and was ostensibly engaged in knitting, but it was believed by the constable that her industry in this respect was only feint. Some other girls of her own class were near her and it was supposed that they were congregated there for the purpose of luring victims of the opposite sex to some of the vile dens which are to be found at no great distance from the spot in question.

It appeared from the statements of the police that respectable shop keepers in Snargate Street whose places of business are near to Five Post Lane have complained frequently of the annoyance occasioned by the lewd conduct of girls like the prisoner and that of the prisoner herself had been more than once cautioned against the practice of standing at that particular spot. The worthy magistrate expressed his astonishment at the wanton infringement of public decency, which conduct such be exhibited and committed the prisoner to the House of Correction for seven days.(1863)