25th June 1926 - Housebreaking at Buntingford

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Housebreaking at Buntingford

Man Detained By The Police

The premises of Messrs. Forrest Stores, Buntingford, were broken into on the night of June 17th to 18th, and cash, cigarettes, chocolate, &c., stolen.

An entry was made through a door at the back of the premises, the glass in the door being smashed to allow the bolts to be drawn.

The discovery was made by the Branch Manager, Mr T.C. Bayman, at 7.30 on Friday morning. No one resides at the premises, and it is not likely that the neighbours would be disturbed by anyone at the back of Messrs Forrest Stores premises.

The Police were informed of the robbery at 8 a.m., and Sergt. Dean and Detective Voller arrested a man on suspicion at 10.30 a.m. He was later charged, and appeared before Capt. H.H. Williams.

Giving evidence, Sergt. Dean stated that he received information at 8 a.m. that morning that Messrs. Forrest Stores, Buntingford, had been broken into during the night.

He made enquiries, and traced a man's footprints up the path at the back of the premises to Baldock Road. He later met Charles Woods, who was carrying a gun, and notice [sic] that Woods' boots compared with the marks at the rear of the Stores; he told the defendant that he suspected him and asked him whether he would allow his house to be searched. The defendant replied that he would not.

The man was then asked to proceed to the Police Station but on the way he tried to escape. He was caught, and admitted breaking into the premises, stating that he was hungry. Sergt. Dean stated that later, in company with Detective Voller, he went to the defendant's house and found in a bag on the table £1 5s. 5d. in cash, a bar and three-parts of a bar of chocolate, a bottle of sherry and four packets of cigarettes. He later charged Charles Henry Woods, who made no reply.

A remand was ordered until today (Friday), prisoner being committed to Brixton.

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Read the full Petty Sessions report from 2nd July.

11th June 1926 - Buntingford Petty Sessions

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Buntingford Petty Sessions

Friday last before Col. C.H.B. Heaton-Ellis, C.B.E., The Hon. Baron Dimsdale, Capt. H.H. Williams and H.C. Marshall, Esq.

Poor Rate

The Cottered Poor Rate was signed by two Justices. The rate was at 5/- in £.

LONDON MEN BROUGHT UP ON REMAND

Wrong Names and Addresses

The three London men, who, as reported in our last issue, were remanded for stealing three pairs of motor goggles, the property of the Herts. County Council, were brought up on remand, and were formally charged with theft. All the defendants pleaded guilty.

Supt. Wright informed the Bench that from enquiries made it had been ascertained that when the men were arrested by P.S. Dean they each gave wrong names and addresses.

The defendant who gave his name as Sullivan and address Beaconsfield Road, Shoreditch, was George Wright, of 18, Marnesbury Terrace, Canning Town. Anderson's correct name was Frank Slade, of 84, Clarence Road, Canning Town, and the defendant Jones, who stated he resided at Beaconsfield Road, Shoreditch, was R. Murphy of 61, Croydon Road, Plaistow.

Herbert Smith, of Gt. Munden, a road foreman in the employ of the Herts. County Council, stated that he missed the goggles from a bag attached to his cycle, which was standing near Hamels Park. The goggles (produced) were the ones in his care. They were valued at 2/- each.

Sergt. Dean stated that on Monday, 31st May, he was on duty when he received information that five pairs of motor goggles had been stolen between Buntingford and Standon. He went towards Standon, and saw three men lying on the grass.

He told them he was a police officer, and that he was making enquiries about some stolen goggles. He started to search the defendants, when Anderson produced three pairs of goggles, two other pairs being found on Sullivan by P.C. Gillett. The defendants stated that the goggles were given them by a man.

Supt. Wright stated that nothing was known against Wright and Slade, but it had been found that Murphy had been previously convicted for stealing £1 16s. 10d. in 1920. He had also been sent to an Industrial School, and was discharged from there in 1922.

One of the defendants told the Bench they were all three sorry for what they had done; they had been in prison since Monday and they hoped the Bench would deal leniently with them.

After consultation the Chairman said all three defendants would be dealt with alike; they would go to prison for 14 days with hard labour.

4th June 1926 - Occasional Court

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Occasional Court

A Smart Capture

At an Occasional Court, presided over by Capt. H.H. Williams, on Tuesday, three Shoreditch men, Frank Anderson (21), Richard Jones (19), and John Sullivan (19), all of Beaconsfield Road, Shoreditch, were remanded in custody until today (Friday) for stealing five pairs of motor goggles, value 2/- each, the property of the Herts County Council.

Sergt. Dean stated that on Monday, 31st May, he was on duty when he received information that five pairs of motor goggles had been stolen between Buntingford and Standon. He went towards Standon, and saw three men lying on the grass.

He told them he was a police officer, and that he was making enquiries about some stolen goggles. He started to search the defendants, when Anderson produced three pairs of goggles, two other pairs being found on Sullivan by P.C. Gillett. The defendants stated that goggles were given them by a man.

Supt. Wright asked for a remand until Friday, and this was granted, as stated. One of the defendants refused to have his finger prints taken, and the Supt. made application to the Chairman for a request to be made to the Governor of Brixton Prison for the finger prints to be taken. The application was granted.

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Read the Petty Sessions report dealing with this case a week later.

4th June 1926 - Buntingford Petty Sessions

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Buntingford Petty Sessions

Friday last, before The Hon. Baron C.R. Dimsdale (in the chair), Mrs Dimsdale, Col. C. Heaton-Ellis, Claud Fraser, Esq., and Capt. H.H. Williams

No Driving Licence

John William Lawler, of 19, Half-Moon Street, Piccadilly, was summoned for failing to produce a motor driving licence, at Buntingford.

P.C. Williams said he was on duty at Buntingford at 1.30 a.m. on 9th April, when a car approached from the direction of Royston. He signalled the driver to stop, and asked to see his driving licence. The defendant searched in the pocket of the car, but could not find the licence which he said must have been left at home. He said the licence was in order as it was a new one.

Inspector Herbert said investigations had been made by the Metropolitan Police, and it was found that defendant's driving licence expired on 8th Sept. 1925.

The Chairman said a letter had been received from the defendant, who was not present in Court. After consultation, the Bench imposed a fine of £1 and 4/- in costs.

A Rate Summons

J. Franklin, of Buntingford, was summoned for non-payment of a Poor Rate for the Parish of Aspenden. The Assistant Overseer, Mr J. Boniwell, stated that the rate was made on 30th November last, and that personal application had been made for payment.

The defendant's son said they were under notice to quit when demand for payment was made, and he thought it was a legal point whether they were liable to the charges.

The Chairman said that as the defendant was in occupation for the whole period of the rate there was no doubt that the rate was due. On [sic] order for payment would be made, and th distress warrant would be held over for one month to enable the defendant to pay.