Leicester “Fence” Sent to Prison: Received Stolen Hosiery from Mystery Man: Who is “George”? A Leicester man, suspected of receiving hosiery and selling it in county markets – Ernest Pinsent (40), 13 Archdeacon Lane – was sentenced to six months hard labour at Leicester today, on a charge of receiving hosiery stolen from a railway dray. A mysterious figure, referred to as “George” was alleged by the defense to have foisted the goods on to Pinsent.
Under Suspicion: “For some time,” said Detective Superintendent Boon, when sentence was passed, we have had numerous robberies from railways. This man has been under suspicion for some time. At his house was found other hosiery made by the same firm which cannot definitely be identified as being from their parcels. Pinsent stands in the local markets, at Melton, Hinckley and Coalville and can dispose of the goods.” Before the evidence was heard, P.C. Goosey, in the witness box, recalled that he was in court on June 17th of last year when Pinsent was convicted of receiving five dozen pairs of hosiery. Edward Ashford Billingham, a carter, said he collected a parcel of jumpers from Billson’s hosiery works, placed it safely on his dray, and then found that it had gone when he reached the depot. Det. Sergt. Turner described an interview he and Det. Inspector Clowes had with Pinsent at this home in Archdeacon Lane. He told Pinsent that he understood that parcels had been delivered at his house, and sked him if he would now say what was in them. Pinsent said there were no parcels delivered. He was then asked to account for some Hosiery found in the front room, and he replied: “A man brought them here last night, I don’t recall that hosiery.” A Man Brought Them: The jumpers were identified, and Pinsent was charged with stealing and receiving. “A man brought them and offered them for 30s a dozen. I said if they were any good, I would pay them on Friday,” he replied. Pinsent, in court, described himself as a market trader. The man who brought the jumpers, he said, was a casual acquaintance known as “George” … (continues at length) … Mr. Bennett suggested that “George” “Had the wind up,” and was anxious to dump his stolen goods on someone. He foisted them on to Pinsent, who had reason to ask where they came from because he had only arranged to look at them.
Millstone Around His Neck: “One starts a case of this kind with a millstone around the neck” Mr. Bennett continued. “A previous conviction had been quoted in court and therefore the defense started in a bad light. It was not for him to criticize – it was the law. But a man once convicted was not bound to be criminal for the rest of his life; often he decided that the game was not worth the candle.”
Stating that “if there were no receiver there would be no thieves,” Sir Jonathan said the magistrates felt justified in imposing the full sentence.
Transcribed in whole or part from scanned originals: Presented with or without modified text and punctuation. For absolute accuracy refer to the original newspapers. Source: The British Newspaper Archive.
Referenced
GRO0272 Tiverton: Ernest “Pinsent”: 1889 – 1966