Strand & Fleet Street Undressed

At Bow-street, ERNEST BOULTON, 22, residing at 23, Shirland-road, FREDERICK WILLIAM PARK, 23, of 13, Bruton-street, Berkeley-square, law student, both of whom were in female costume, and HUGH ALEXANDER MUNDELL, 23, of 158, Buckingham Palace-road, were brought before Mr. Thomas, charged with frequenting the Strand Theatre with intent to commit felony. The prisoners Boulton and Park were defended by Mr. Abrams.
When placed in the dock Boulton wore a cherry-coloured evening silk dress trimmed with white lace; his arms were bare, and he had on bracelets. He wore a wig and plaited chignon. Park's costume consisted of a dark green satin dress, low necked and trimmed with black lace, of which material he also had a shawl round his shoulders. His hair was flaxen and in curls. He had on a pair of white kid gloves.
Mr. Superintendent Thomson, of the E Division was called, and stated that at half-past 10 o'clock on Thursday evening, he went to the Strand Theatre and saw the prisoners in a private box, Boulton and Park being in female costume. He noticed their conduct and saw one of them repeatedly smile and nod to gentlemen in the stalls.  When they left the theatre all three prisoners got into a cab. They were then accosted and taken to Bow-street Police-station.

         Serjeant Kerley, detective, E Division, corroborated what had been stated, and added that while he was in the cab with the prisoners on their way to the station, Boulton and Park begged of him to let them go, as it could do him no good to take them to the station. If he would listen to them, he should have any sum he required. They never said anything about "having a lark".
 For the defence Mr. Abrams argued that the charge of felony was not made out, and that prisoners were only guilty of a "lark." Mr. Flowers said they had indulged in the so-called lark for a very long time. The question was, were the prisoners without any other and more serious purpose? Did they entice gentlemen to their apartments to extort money from them? Mr. Abrams said he thought not.

The Times, April 30, 1870