Corpun file 21630

The Times, London, 12 March 1932, p.4

Robbery With Violence

Young Men Sentenced

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Before the RECORDER (Sir Ernest Wild, K.C.), at the Central Criminal Court yesterday. GEORGE WALTER GARDENER, 26, engineer, and DOUGLAS ARCHIBALD WHITEHOUSE, 18, clerk, were found Guilty on a charge of robbery with violence on Mrs. Olwen Timothy and stealing from her a ring and other articles and about £1 15s. in money. The prisoners pleaded "Not Guilty." HARRY REGINALD JACK RICHARDSON, 18, traveller, pleaded "Guilty" to the robbery, but not to violence.

Mr. Eustace Fulton prosecuted; Mr. A.C. Douglas defended Gardener; and Mr. Marston Garsia defended Whitehouse. Mr. J.J. Davies appeared for Richardson.

The case for the prosecution was that the three prisoners went to the shop of Mrs. Timothy in Farringdon-road, E.C. Richardson went into the shop, and it was alleged that he struck Mrs. Timothy on the head with a vase and a milk bottle, seriously injuring her. While she was in a dazed condition Gardener and Whitehouse went into the shop.

Gardener and Whitehouse denied the charge.

Whitehouse pleaded "Not Guilty" to another indictment charging him with breaking and entering the house of Miss Amy West, an artist, of Elm Cottage, Bourne-road, Bushey, and robbing her with violence of a silver tea set and other articles. The prisoner Richardson pleaded "Guilty" to the charge of breaking and entering, but pleaded "Not Guilty" to the charge of robbery with violence.

After Richardson had given evidence for the prosecution, Mr. Garcia, said that Whitehouse would alter his plea to one of "Guilty" to burglary and simple robbery without violence.

Richardson was sentenced to three years' penal servitude for the offence against Mrs. Timothy and to 18 months' imprisonment, with hard labour for the offence against Miss West, the sentences to run concurrently, the RECORDER saying that he was unfit to receive corporal punishment.

Gardener was sentenced to 15 months' imprisonment with hard labour, and 15 strokes with the birch. Whitehouse was sentenced to nine months' imprisonment and 15 strokes with the birch for the offence against Mrs. Timothy, and to nine months' imprisonment for the offence against Miss West, the sentences to run consecutively, making 18 months in all.

The RECORDER directed that a reward of £5 be paid to Mrs. Timothy and a reward of £3 to Miss West, in recognition of the courage they displayed.