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THE LIVERPOOL ECHO Liverpool, Lancashire, England 28 June 1934 (page 5)
MODEL’S “FEAR OF ATTACK.”
Why She Went To A Solicitor.
LETTERS CHARGE.
Mr. Crowley Committed For Trial.
“ABSOLUTE EXPLANATION.”
Edward Alexander Crowley, aged 58, of Upper Montagu-street, London, W., was committed for trial, to-day, ay Marylebone Police Court, charged with feloniously receiving five letters, the property of Betty Sedgwick [Betty May].
Bail was allowed in £10.
At a previous hearing, Mr. Edward F. Iwi, who prosecuted, said that certain documents which were the subject matter of the charge were in the custody of the Master of the Crown Office. Application would have to be made in the High Court for the documents to be produced.
Mr. Kerman [Isidore Kerman], for Mr. Crowley, said that his client had a complete answer to the charge.
Mr. Iwi, for the prosecution, to-day, said the charge related to the alleged receiving of letters between June 21, 1933, and April 10, 1934, from a house at Seymour-street, London.
WOMAN‘S DOCUMENTS
Prosecutrix, who was generally known as Mrs. Betty Sedgwick, was living during June, 1933, at that house and had certain papers in her possession, including the documents which were the subject of this charge.
“According to my instructions,” said Mr. Iwi, “those documents were stolen while she was there, and had been received by the defendant, knowing them to have been stolen.”
In April, this year, Mrs. Sedgwick was a witness in the case, Crowley v. Constable and others, and gave evidence on behalf of Constable.
She was cross-examined by Mr. Eddy, who appeared for the defendant in to-day’s case.
Certain documents were produced in court, and were put to her.
“I do not propose,” said Mr. Iwi, “to say what Mr. Justice Swift remarked on that particular occasion, but documents were ordered to be kept in the custody of the court.”
Mr. Iwi explained that the documents were produced by Mr. Eddy. Application had been made a few days ago to Mr. Justice Swift for the documents to be produced in that court.
Mr. Justice Swift ordered that they should be handed to him (Mr. Iwi), who was to be responsible for their return to Mr. Justice Swift’s court.
“I can show them to you, but you will appreciate my difficulty,” commented Mr. Iwi.
KNOWN AS “BETTY MAY”
Prosecutrix, in the box, said that she was a model usually known professionally as “Betty May,” and was now living at Hampstead. After June last year she did not see the five letters—four originals and a copy—until the High Court action.
Mr. Iwi.—Did you willingly part with these letters to anybody?—No.
“What value do you place on them?” Mr. Iwi asked.
“Sevenpence halfpenny,” was Mrs. Sedgwick’s reply.
She said that a Captain E. Cruze, or Cruse, was living in the Seymour-street house in June, 1933.
Mr. Gallop (cross-examining).—Had Cruze, as far as you know, any money at all?—None.
FEAR OF ATTACK
She agreed that she went with Cruze to see a solicitor.
Mr. Gallop.—What was the object?—To prevent me from being attacked in Soho by roughs.
She denied that she handed the letters to Cruze or the solicitor.
Mr. Gallop.—Did you not authorise Cruze to get rid of those letters in the most advantageous manner that he could think of?—Certainly not.
After further evidence, the magistrate remarked that he was glad someone else would finally deal with the case.
“If the defendant is found guilty,” he added, “I shall be very interested to know how the person who had to deal with it does deal with it.”
COMMITTED FOR TRIAL
Mr. Gallop said that, following the magistrate’s remark, he would not call Crowley.
“He wishes it to be understood that he has an absolute explanation,” Mr. Gallop added.
Crowley, who pleaded not guilty and reserved his defence, was committed for trial at the Old Bailey and allowed bail of £10. |