Police commended by sessions chairman

Two men gaoled for attempted breaking and entering

POLICE COMMENDED BY SESSIONS CHAIRMAN

Hertfordshire Mercury, 12th October 1951

The efficient working of the railway and County Police was commended by the chairman , Sir Granville Ram , at Hertfordshire Quarter Sessions at St Albans on Friday , when two men pleaded guilty to attempting to break and enter a warehouse at Bishop’s Stortford  on July 24 .

Before the court were Charles Henry Kirk, a 29-year-old fruiterer , of 337 Old Kent Road, London , and John Leslie Copley (24) , a greengrocer’s assistant , of 290 Old Kent Road , London . They were both sentenced to 18 months imprisonment .

Mr H Cassel , prosecuting , said the offence occurred at 2.55 a.m. in the station yard at Bishop’s Stortford .

” A railway police officer , who saw a large car turn down Anchor Street and stop , immediately communicated with the County Constabulary , ” Mr Cassel continued .

” Three men climbed from the car and made towards a warehouse and then the railway officer heard certain noises . On the arrival of a police car the three men walked away . “

” The driver of the car has not been seen since , but the other two men who had managed to get a lift towards London , were stopped by alert police at Potters Bar.”

Detective  A. J. Haynes said there were ten previous convictions against Kirk and seven against Copley .

Passing sentence , the Chairman said , ” You have both pleaded guilty to a serious offence . Had it not been for the efficient  working of the two police forces concerned you would have broken into the premises .”

For Kirk , Mr A. R. Beldam said that he was presently serving a 15 months’ sentence of imprisonment .

” He had at one time built up a small business but unfortunately he was involved in a motor cycle accident which necessitated his staying in hospital for two months. On leaving hospital he found his business was gone . ” he added .

On behalf of Copley , Mr F. Milton said that his father had died during the war when he (Copley) was a young boy and was left during that difficult time without parental guidance .

At the time of the offence, Copley was employed by a greengrocer who was negotiating for the lease of a shop . The greengrocer was going to set Copley up in business .

” Even in this hour , as he stands in the dock for the eighth time , this young man can still say there are people standing by him ; his wife will , and so will his employer . ” he said .

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