On This Day, 26 February 1917

Birmingham Mail

Monday 26 February 1917

BIRMINGHAM POLICEMEN CHARGED

ALLEGED PETTY THEFTS

What Mr. J. E. Hill, prosecuting solicitor, described as a regrettable case came before the Stipendiary at the Birmingham Police Court, to-day, when a Birmingham police-sergeant and constable were charged with being concerned with petty thefts.

The names of the two officers were Sergeant John Thomas Lynch (35), 82 Ledsam Street, and Police-constable Frank Holmes (38), 289, Camden Street, a third man charged being William Albert Sanders (34), carter, 5, Victoria Terrace, Stour Street.

Mr Hill, in outlining the charge against Holmes, said this prisoner has been on duty for some time at the Vincent Street Wharf of the London and North-Western Railway Co. In consequence of information that reached Police Superintendent Monk, Detective-inspectors Evans and Wright were instructed to watch Holmes. On Sunday morning when Holmes was relieved from duty it was noticed that his pockets were bulky, and on being accosted by the detectives he was found to have in his possession about 2lb. of barley which had been taken from Messrs. Thompson’s Maltings adjoined the place where the constable had been on duty.

Taken to Kenyon Police Station Holmes made a clean breast of it. In making his statement the prisoner sneakingly gave away the police-sergeant in regard to another matter. He want out of his way to say that Sergeant Lynch had also done something which led to that officer’s arrest later. There were other charges against Holmes for stealing a bag and some timber, and in order that the case might be cleared up he applied for a remand.

Mr. Willison, for Holmes, said he strongly resented Mr. Hill’s suggestion that Holmes sneakingly gave his fellow officer away. The effect of Mr. Hill’s remark could only seriously prejudice the man in the eyes of his fellow men. When the time came a full explanation of the matter would be given.

Mr. Hill: I hope it will.

Mr. Willison: It can only hold him up to the contempt and hatred of his fellow officers.

Mr. W. H. S. Walker (magistrates’ clerk): It won’t affect the Stipendiary’s mind.

Holmes was remanded in custody for a week.

Mr. Willison, applying for bail, said Mr. Holmes had five children and 15 years’ service behind him. Bail was allowed, himself £5 and one surety in £5.

Lynch and Sanders were next placed in the dock charged with being concerned in the theft of a quantity of timber and a bag belonging to the London and North Western Railway Company, and a remand was applied for in this case. For Lynch Mr. Willison said he denied any guilty intention at all, and on the question of bail said the police-sergeant had 14 years’ good character in his favour.

A similar remand on similar bail was granted in respect of these two prisoners.