Innocent...

Saturday April 3rd 1930

NOT IDENTIFIED - PROSECUTION FAILS

Not every case that my great grandfather, James Andrew Bramhall, investigated got a conviction. This case was an intriguing one, and shows that even in 1930, identification of an offender would still be a pivotal part of a prosecution case.

Ambrose Arthur Cope (36), was a miner from Rossington near Doncaster. In a somewhat unfortunate series of events, someone with the same name, and as it transpires, signature, used a false cheque to pay for furniture of almost £14 from Grantham store John Hall and sons, and almost £8 in cash using the same method. Having made enquiries based on the name, Constable Bramhall had Mr Cope arrested at his home, and then transported him to Grantham to be interrogated and for further enquiries to be made.

"Sorry, I don't know anything about it. There must be another Ambrose Arthur Cope about" said the suspect during questioning. The man who had committed these dastardly frauds had gone to the shop pretending to be the proprietor of a new Sleaford Hotel, and obtained the goods with a fraudulent cheque. By odd chance, the signature used on the cheque was said to be "...by curious coincidence...similar to that written by the prisoner in PC Bramhall's notebook".

Based on his denial, an identity parade was created, and the two shop workers who had been duped were asked to identify "Ambrose Arthur Cope." They did not pick out this Ambrose Arthur Cope. Despite the uncanny coincidence of the matching name and very similar signatures, the magistrates declared "On the evidence we have had this morning, you will be discharged".

No doubt with a sense of relief, the delightfully monickered miner said, "Thank you sir; I am quite innocent".

It is unknown whether his house was very nicely furnished.

IN OTHER NEWS: GRANTHAM CONSERVATIVE CLUB - A YEAR OF IMPROVEMENTS

ADVERT OF THE WEEK: "If you have a VI-Spring Overlay Mattress, you are assured of your beauty sleep" - John Hall and Son House Furnishers (makes no reference of ability to pay by cheque)