24 February 1928: At the Portsmouth General Quarter Sessions before John Henry Harris, esquire, Recorder, holden at the Guildhall, Portsmouth. Councillor Frank J. Privett, J.P., Mayor, Fred G. Allen, esquire, Clerk of the Peace: E. Winter, governor, His Majesty’s Prison, Portsmouth. Prisoner: Claude Henry Smith. Committed from Portsmouth 20 December 1927. Offence – Between 11 and 20 December 1927, being entrusted by Euphemia Parvin with the sum of £150, fraudulently converted the said sum to his own use and benefit. 2nd Charge: On 23 July 1927, by Archibald Fidler, with £75. 3rd Charge: On 25 June 1927, by Frederick James Knapp, with £25. 4th Charge: On 7 November 1927, by false pretences obtain from Douglas Thomas Headley Dean, the sum of £2. 5th Charge: On 4 November 1927, by false pretences obtain from Lily Bezzina the sum of £2. 6th Charge: On 22 November 1927, by false pretences obtain from William Henry Waters the sum of £5. 7th Charge: On 31 May 1927, by false pretences obtain from Mary Doust the sum of £50, 8th Charge: On 8 November 1927, being the bailee of £5/11/0, the monies of Mary Doust, fraudulently converted the same to his own use and benefit. 9th Charge: Between 1 April and 4 July 1927, being entrusted by Arthur John Pepper with £25 fraudulently converted the same to his own use and benefit. Tried before The Recorder, 3 January 1928. Plea: Not Guilty. Order of the Court: Trial adjourned and transferred to next Winchester Assizes on application of prisoner.
9 January 1928: County of Southampton: At the General Quarter Sessions before Sir Francis Charles Gore, K.C.B. chairman, and others, justices of the peace for the said county, holden at the Castle of Winchester. Sir Gilbert Redvers Heathcote, baronet, high sheriff; Reginald J. Harris, gentleman, under sheriff; Frederic Viccars Barber, esquire, clerk of the peace; E. Winter, governor, His Majesty’s Prison, Portsmouth. Prisoner: Claude Henry Smith, aged 32, clerk. Committed from Portsmouth Quarter Sessions, 3 January 1928. Received in prison 12 December 1927. Bailed in prison, 16 January 1928. First Charge.- On 5 April 1927, at Portsmouth, fraudulently converting to his own use £50 entrusted to him by Arthur John Pepper. Second Charge.- On 1 June 1927, a like offence as to £50 entrusted to him by Mary Doust. Third Charge.- On 31 May 1927, with intent to defraud, obtaining £50 from Mary Doust by false pretences. Fourth Charge.- On 25 June 1927, a like offence as to £25 obtained from Frederick James Knapp. Fifth Charge.- On 27 June 1927, fraudulently converting to his own use £25 entrusted to him by Frederick James Knapp. Sixth Charge.- On 23 July 1927, with intent to defraud, obtaining £75 from Archibald Frederick Fidler by false pretences. Seventh Charge.- On 25 June 1927, fraudulently converting to his own use £75 entrusted to him by Archibald Frederick Fidler. Eighth Charge.- On 19 September 1927, a like offence as to £150 entrusted to him by Euphemia Parvin. Ninth Charge.- On 7 November 1927, a like offence as to £3 1s entrusted to him by Matilda Nellie Hoare. Tenth Charge.- On 7 November 1927, a like offence as to £2 18s entrusted to him by Florence Mary Palmer. Eleventh Charge.- On 4 November 1927, with intent to defraud, obtaining £2 from Lily Bezzina by false pretences. Twelfth Charge.- On 7 November 1927, a like offence as to £2 obtained from Douglas Thomas Hedley Dean. Thirteenth Charge.- On 22 November 1927, a like offence as to £2 obtained from William Henry Waters. Tried before Mr Justice Charles, 5 and 6 March 1928. Verdict. Guilty on Counts 4, 5, 7 and 8. Not Guilty on Count 6. Not tried on other Counts. Sentence.- 6 months in 2nd Division, concurrent.