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Kent & Sussex Courier, 15 October 1926.
Alleged theft of a car.
James O'Connor, labourer, Lambeth, S.E., Charles Blake, labourer,
Wandsworthh, S.W.8, and William Penfold, flower seller, West Croydon,
all aged 20, were charged with being concerned together in stealing a
Belsize motor-car, accessories and petrol, valued at £50, the property
of Harold William Hibberd on September 25th.
Prosecutor, who is the licensee of the "Peacock Inn," Goudhurst, said he
kept his car in a garage by the side of the house. The garage was locked
on the night in question, and when awakened by the police in the early
hours of the following morning he found the back door of the garage had
been forced, and the car was missing. He next saw the car at Lamberhurst
the following day. It was just inside a hop garden and was damaged
beyond repair. It had obviously been driven through a five barred Gate,
which was closed.
Bernard Ivan James, Bromley, who have been staying with prosecutor at
the "Peacock Inn," said that on September 25th he served both O'Connor
and Blake with refreshment.
Daisy Elizabeth Parkhurst, of Cranbrook, related a conversation she
overheard by two men concerning the car.
Sergeant F. R. Jarrett, Goudhurst, describe the garage and the condition
of the car, and said there were blood marks in the road as though
someone have been hurt. The marks retract back to Lamberhurst village.
He ascertained the description of two men seen running away. A hat and a
cap produced were found in the vicinity of the car.
Elizabeth Farmer, Tunbridge Wells, who was hop-picking at the Four Wents,
Cranbrook, said Mrs. O'Connor and the accused O'Connor had occupied the
next hut but one which she had occupied.
Detective Constable Jones, of the London division, said that on October
12th he saw prisoner, O'Connor, detained at Kennington Lane Police
Station. He told him he answered the description of a man wanted with
others for being concerned in stealing a motor car at Goudhurst. He
said, "Yes, I want to tell you all about it. On Saturday, September
25th, I went with Charles Blake, aged 23, of the Wilcox Road, Wandsworth,
to Goudhurst, Kent, to see our mothers, who were down there hopping. We
went by rail from London Bridge and reached Goudhurst at about 7 p.m. I
saw my brother John at the station, and then in the town I saw mother.
We went to the "Vine" public house and had a drink, and afterwards Blake
and I went by bus to Four Wents, Cranbrook. We had some food, and then
Blake and I went to the "Peacock" public house, where we had several
drinks, and I there met a cousin and other friends, also Penfold, who
came over to me and said, there is a car outside, are you coming for a
ride. I said, 'Yes.' Blake also said he will come. There were two men
with Penfold, one name John in and another named Wally. They were
working with Penfold on the farm. At 10 p.m. we all came out of the
public house and walked up the road in the direction of Four Wents Farm.
Blake and I were walking together when I heard someone call, and we then
saw a motor car coming from the "Peacock" public house. I went back and
Blake, Penfold, Johnny, Wally and myself helped to push the car down the
road. We pushed it about a mile and then we tried to start it up. I did
not try because I don't understand cars. They got it a start, and
Johnny, Wally and myself got into the back, with Penfold driving and
Blake in the front. After we had travelled a short distance we stopped
and put the hood up. Blake wanted to drive, and him and I sat in the
front. Blake was driving when the car crashed into the gate and turned
over. I was injured, but did not know until some minutes afterwards. I
lost my hat, Johnny lost his cap. Penfold, Johnny and Wally ran away,
and Blake and myself went in another direction. A gentleman offered to
help us help on the road, but Blake would not stop. He kept walking and
reached Tonbridge, and a watchman on the road directed us to Goudhurst,
and we reached there somewhere about 5 a.m. Mother asked where my bowler
hat was. I did not like to tell her, but she noticed blood and my
trousers torn, and then I told her what had happened. Blake went to his
mother in the next hut, and Blake and I returned to London on Sunday
night. I went straight to Guy's Hospital, where I am still attending as
an out-patient. I had two cuts on my left leg and one on my right leg,
and had nine stitches put in. Blake had an injured hand, and was also
stitched. I did not realise the others were going to steal the car, and
it was only after the accident, and I saw Penfold and the others running
away, that I understood that the car had been stolen. I had made up my
mind to speak the truth if I was questioned about it. I have never been
accused of stealing anything before, and have been in regular employment
at Messrs. Clarkson's, Tamworth Street, Albert Embankment, two years and
helped to support my mother. I now remember, besides Blakes injury,
Wally had a bad scratch on his face.
Witness afterwards saw Charles Blake, who said he knew nothing about any
motor. His right hand was bandaged. He was taken to Kennington Lane
Police Station where he said, "I think I might as well tell you the
truth. It is bound to come out. I wish to tell you what I know about the
motor car that was stolen at Cranbrook about three weeks ago last
Saturday. I was with Will Penfold, James O'Connor and two other men that
I don't know. We had all been down there hopping. One of the men, I
think it was Penfold, suggested that we should break into the garage,
get the car, and go for a ride. We all agreed to it, forced the door off
and took the car. Penfold drove first of all, and we all went for a
ride. I then took the wheel, and after driving about four miles drove
into a gate, and we were all thrown out. O'Conner was rather badly hurt,
but was able to walk away. Connell and I left the other three men and
walked back to the hut. We had no intention at all of disposing of the
car or keeping it. We only took it to go for a Joyride. I am a single
man, at present employed by the Modern Engineering and Construction
Company. I help to support my widowed mother and three young brothers
and sisters. I am very sorry that I got mixed up in this, but I looked
up on it as a joke."
Detective Constable Andrews, Cranbrook, said that on October 12th he
received a O'Conner and Blake into custody. On October 13th he went to
Thornton Heath Police Station, where he saw prisoner Penfold, and in
reply to the charges he said, "All right" and afterwards said he was
going to bed, and then turning to the other prisoners said, "I'll shoot
you for this."
All three prisoners were committed for trial at the next quarter
sessions.
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