Notable Events In Week Twenty

Hertfordshire Police Historical Society

This Week In History

Saturday 13 May 1871

The Herts. Advertiser and St Albans Times
There being again but little business before the Magistrates at the St. Albans Liberty Petty Sessions on Saturday last, the only case of interest being a charge of assault against Police Constable Hunt, of Sandridge, who, it appears from the evidence adduced, so far exceeded his duty as to handle in an unjustifiable manner a labourer residing at Sandridge, who had only recently recovered from a severe illness. The charge having been proved, the defendant was fined £l, including costs.

At the same court man named Francis Randal was sent to the Arlsey Asylum, having upon examination Dr. Lipscomb been proved to be non-compos mentis.

An inquest was held at Watford Saturday evening last the body of a woman named Louisa Naylor, who was found drowned in the river Colne. The jury returned verdict of accidentally drowned.

At the Watford Petty Sessions on Tuesday two men were convicted of stealing two trusses of straw, the property of Mr. Joseph Coote. After hearing the evidence of a Police Constable, who caught them running away with the straw, the magistrates sentenced the offenders, one to three weeks, and the other a fortnight’s imprisonment. The other cases at this court were of a trivial nature.

The St. Albans Borough Petty Sessions on Wednesday were almost a nullity, there being not a single original charge presented and the only business for the magistrates to dispose was an adjourned assault case, from which it appeared there are some neighbours in Hatfield Road who live with anything but neighbourly disposition towards each other and one or two additional minor matters. In the assault case alluded to the Chairman administered some sound admonitions, which we trust will be seriously considered by the belligerents of that locality, as preventative of further hostilities.

The report from the Superintendent of the Borough Police was highly satisfactory regards the conduct of the police and other matters, but some dissatisfaction was expressed in regard to suspected encroachments in the Borough and in order to obviate this the report was referred hack to the superintendent, with a view to his reporting further on the subject on a future occasion. On a recommendation from the Watch Committee the Council resolved to increase the salaries of Police Sergeant Morley and Police Constable Sharp, as well-merited reward for efficient service.

At Rickmansworth on Friday 5th inst., a labourer named William Waldock was charged before the magistrates with stealing nine pheasants’ eggs, and was fined 4s. for each egg, in addition to the costs. Such offenders would well to remember that predatory habits are frequently very expensive.

WORKHOUSE STATISTICS. The master’s journal was presented and showed the following statistics: —
Inmates admitted during the week, 3;
Discharged, 4;
Total in the house, 130;
Corresponding week last year, 133;
Tramps admitted since last meeting, 98;
Corresponding period last year, 98.

REFUSING TO QUIT. Edward Green and Joseph Green, labourers, of Rickmansworth, were charged with being drunk and disorderly and refusing to leave the Prince of Wales beer house when requested by the landlord, George Giddings, on Saturday night, the 29th inst. Edward Green appeared and pleaded guilty, and was fined 5s. and 10s. 9d. costs. Joseph Green did not appear and the case being proved against him he was fined 10s. and 10s. 9d. costs, in default one month’s hard labour. Allowed 14 days for payment.

May 1956

Birmingham Post
PRINCESS IN CAR ACCIDENT. A car in which Princess Margaret was riding was involved in an accident at Stanborough, Hertfordshire, yesterday. It is understood that the Princess was not injured. Shortly after mid-day the Princess was being driven through the village of Stanborough, near Hertford, in a Rolls Royce, when the car was involved in a minor collision with another car. The front bumper of the Princess’s car was damaged. and the driving mirror of the ether car knocked askew. After the accident had been reported to the police, the Princess was driven on her way. On February 10th the car in which Princess Margaret and the Queen Mother were travelling was in collision with a three-ton lorry at Brixton Hill. London. Last October the Princess’s car crashed into a traffic island at the entrance to the R.A.F station at Boscombe Down. Wiltshire. and the previous January the car in which the Princess was travelling from Sandringham to London skidded on the icy roads in Hertfordshire and collided with another car.

Friday 19th May 1939

Hertfordshire Mercury and Reformer
TRAFFIC OFFFNCES For exceeding 30 miles hour in a car, George Alfred Cloke, of 40, Old Hale Way, Hitchin, was fined £l. Thomas Meek, 39, Pix Road, Letchworth, was fined £1 for similar offence with a motor cycle. Summoned for having no lights on a lorry, Mark Hubert Nicholls, of 8 Benslow Lane, Hitchin, was fined 10/-.

GARDEN CITY MAN ACQUITTED The jury, after a short retirement, returned a verdict of not guilty in the case of Arthur Cock, aged 46, a labourer, of 297 Knella Road, Welwyn Garden City, who pleaded not guilty to a charge of breaking and entering, between February 12 and March 11, the house of Arthur Griffiths, and stealing 15s. Id. The prosecution alleged that a Mr. and Mrs. Griffiths left their house at Welwyn Garden City, and Cock, who was a lodger, was alleged to have been seen entering the house in their absence by a window, and stole the money from the gas and electric light meters. Evidence was called in support of the charge, and police officer said that all through Cock had denied the offence, and when charged said “I will answer the magistrate.” Cock, on oath, said that he had not broken into the house since he left it just prior to Mrs. Griffiths’ departure. He had a good character, and had no convictions. Cock was discharged.

General Order No.20/1999, 19 May 1999.

FAMILY FUN DAY – 1999
Preparations for ‘Fun Day 99’ which is to be held at Headquarters on Sunday 11 July 1999 (12 noon to 6pm) are now reaching an advanced stage. However, the main organisers would be pleased to hear from members of the Constabulary who have interests or hobbies that could be put on show or put to good use as part of the proceedings. Also anyone wanting to run a Tombola Stall (for their chosen charitable cause) would be welcome.
Additionally, it should be noted that this year, seats on the Fun Day Helicopter Pleasure Flights can be booked in advance. Tickets (fully refundable) can be purchased Cost: £20 per head.
Teams for the ‘IT’S A KNOCK OUT TOURNAMENT’ are being put forward by the following:
• Human Resources
• North Herts. Division
• H.Q. Stores
• Corporate Comms & Executive Support
• Watford Division
• East Herts Division
• Comms & IT
• Dacorum Division
• Welwyn Hatfield Division
• Crime Management
• Finance Department H.Q.
This means that room still exists for one more team. Bids to the organisers as soon as possible.

CLOSURE OF ST. ALBANS MAGISTRATES COURT CENTRE

The Court House, Civic Centre, St. Albans will be closed from Monday 12 July until Friday 1 October 1999 for major work to be carried out. During this time there will be no courts held at St. Albans Magistrates Court Centre. Hatfield Magistrates Court will be temporarily opened during this period and the majority of cases will be transferred to this venue. It is known that a number of cases for trial will need to be transferred to other court centres in the county and in particular, the St. Albans Youth Court will sit at the Hemel Hempstead Court House each Tuesday.
Witness Warnings MUST be checked throughout this period to ensure the correct venue is noted.
(Criminal Justice Department)