Valuables Stolen at Crowborough
Valuables Stolen at Crowborough is an article published in the Kent & Sussex Courier on 13 october 1939.
The article relates the trial of Frederick Thomas Holden charged with stealing a gold cigarette case belonging to Anna Conan Doyle (Adrian Conan Doyle's wife).
Valuables Stolen at Crowborough
Frederick Thomas Holden, houseman, formerly employed at Windlesham, Hurtis Hill, Crowborough, was charged with stealing a gold cigarette case marked "A. A." in one corner, and also one sovereign, both the property of Mrs. Anna Conan-Doyle.
Mrs. Conan-Doyle stated that the cigarette case was of considerable value. She always had a sovereign in the case. which was kept in her bedroom at Windlesham. When war broke out she left for South Kensington in connection with the Auxiliary Fire Service, but came down occasionally to Crowborough when "on leave."
Thomas Goacher, gardener at Windlesham, deposed that defendant was employed there from September 3. He confided to witness that he had sold the case for 38s.
Mr. W. E. Cro, jeweller, High-street, said he recognised Holden as the man who came to his shop and offered the case, but witness declined to buy it as he was doubtful about the quality of the gold.
Mr. V. Evershed, jeweller, of Tunbridge Wells, said he gave Holden £2 5s. for the case.
D.C. Nash stated that he saw defendant in a teashop in Tunbridge Wells. Defendant admitted that he had been trying to sell the case, and said he had been in possession of it for some time.
P. C. Fenning read a statement made by Holden, who said he was approaching 21 years of age. He took the case on impulse. Witness subsequently saw defendant again about the sovereign, but he denied that he had stolen it.
Holden told the Bench that he "did these things but did not know he was doing them." He had an ulcerated leg and this affected his head. There was no sovereign in the case when he took it.
Defendant's step-father said Holden got his leg injury when on a training ship. He was a good boy but irresponsible. He often complained about his head and said that everything went black in front of his eyes. He did many silly things.
Supt. A. Taylor said that Holden had been employed by titled people. but had left after short intervals. He was unable to get back in the Navy.
The Chairman said the Bench appreciated that this was defendant's first offence and he was in a poor state of health. He would be bound over for a year under the care of the Probation Officer.
