A Desperate Criminal, 2nd July 1917

“DESPERATE CRIMINAL.

“TWO YEARS FOR SOLDIER HOUSEBREAKER.

“There was only one criminal case for trial at the Notts. Quarter Sessions, which were held to-day [2nd July 1917] at the Shire Hall, Nottingham, Sir Lancelot Rolleston presiding.

“Ernest Green, 23, a soldier, being indicted on a charge of feloniously breaking into the dwelling of Henry Walker, at Plumtree, on November 7th, and stealing four gold rings and other articles, value £40. To this charge prisoner pleaded guilty. He was further charged with housebreaking at Lambley and Burton Joyce, but denied these offences.

“Dr. Tinsley Lindley (instructed by Mr., W. E. Comery) said the prosecution would prepared be to accept the plea of guilty to the one charge.

“It is interesting to recall that prisoner was one of a gang of five soldiers, three of whom-have already been sentenced for breaking into houses in various parts of the county.

“Mr. W. Harrop (Deputy-Chief Constable) described Green as a most desperate criminal. He joined the army when 17 years of age and proceeded to India. Returning to England he married a girl at Denaby Main in the name of Stock, and was subsequently arrested as a deserter. He broke out of the guard-room at Sunderland while waiting for a court-martial, and after his visit to Burton Joyce got away from the policeman. He was arrested in Nottingham but tripped the officer and escaped, afterwards breaking away from the military police before he was finally arrested at Derby. Prisoner had a number of railway warrants in his possession by using which he had been enabled to travel about the country. He had obtained £5 from a Miss Logan by means of a cheque, and admitted stealing a watch from a soldier since he had deserted.

“The Chairman said prisoner’s service in the army had been a period of disgrace. Any but a degraded man wearing the uniform of the army so gallantly fighting in France would have made at least an effort to become an honest man, but Green had disgraced the King's uniform and would be sentenced to two years’ hard labour.”

'Nottingham Evening Post', 2nd July 1917.