Arrest of the Ex-Governor of St Albans Prison

Hertfordshire Mercury, 13th October1906

Transcript

COMMITTED FOR TRIAL FOR EMBEZZLEMENT

William Henry Oxley, the late governer of St Albans gaol, who absconded a year ago, was arrested at the weekend and brought to St Albans. Oxley had held his position for several years and his sudden departure caused much excitement, as it was understood that his books showed defalcations amounting to about £250. He would in a short period have been entitled to a handsome retirement allowance.

For a whole year diligent search and enquiries had been made, until the police almost despaired of effecting an arrest, the opinion being that Oxley had left the country. On the 3rd inst., however, Chief Constable Whitbread, of St Albans, went to Bath, where it was found the accused had been living but had since left. In consequence of his visit, however, Mr Whitbread put himself in communication with Birmingham police, with the result that Oxley was arrested on Saturday last.

Chief Constable Whitbread at once went to Birmingham and took the late governer in charge and brought him to St Albans. On Monday morning he was brought up at a special Court before the Mayor (Councilllor S Ryder) and Alderman H. P. Smith. The charge then preferred against him was one of embezzling the sum of £250 while in the public service of His Majesty.

The Chief Constable gave evidence of arrest and applied for a remand until Thursday, which was granted, the accused being taken to Brixton Gaol in the meantime.

 

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