Five-year jail term given to pub boss for receiving stolen good

At the Preston Quarter Sessions of early April 1901 the deputy chairman Mr. R.B. Walmsley presided over a case involving Henry Cornwall, aged 24, labourer and Alfred Greenwood, aged 33, the landlord of the Hesketh Arms on Lancaster Road, at the corner of Walker Street.

- with Keith Johnson

Henry Cornwell was charged with having broken into the shops of Isabella Lawrenson, Catherine Harrison and Henry Wrigley on Friargate and Corporation Street in mid-January 1901 and stealing rings, lockets, watches, jewellery, clothing, cigars and tobacco.

Alfred Greenwood stood accused of receiving goods, valued at over £116, knowing them to be stolen. Cornwall pleaded guilty to all three indictments against him, but Greenwood pleaded not guilty.

The prosecution informed the court that in early February 1901 the police had arrested Cornwall and he made a statement in writing implicating Greenwood, stating that all the goods were at Greenwood's public house.

A subsequent visit to the premises by Det. Inspectors Coupe and Parkinson a large quantity of the stolen property was found, but none of the stolen watches.