This week 60 years ago: Dalston newsagent accused of stealing three million cigarettes off a lorry
The Gazette 60 years ago - Credit: Archant
A Dalston newsagent was accused of stealing three million cigarettes off a lorry, this week 60 years ago.
The robbery was said to have taken place with two accomplices in New Barnet.
At a court hearing Det Insp Grieves described how he had gone to the newsagents wtih a search warrant, and asked him what cigarettes of the kind stolen he had on the premises.
He replied: "Only what you can see in the shop, and a few in the stock room. As a matter of fact I have just sent an order for more. I am so short. That is all I have got."
But when the inspector searched his bedroom upstairs, he found 10,000 cigarettes of the missing brand, that the newsagent claimed he had bought off a man called "Ted".
You may also want to watch:
Asked why the cartons were wrapped in brown paper and markedL "Books", he replied: "I don't know. They came that way."
When cautioned he said: "That's ridiculous old man." When charged he said: "I'm not guilty."
Most Read
- 1 Hackney road closures 'will cost lives', says volunteer ambulance service
- 2 Jailed: 'Dangerous' Hackney predator found with 1,600 indecent child images
- 3 Joint Covid patrols launched to ensure lockdown rules are followed
- 4 Police appeal for help to trace wanted Dalston man
- 5 Covid-safe shared workspaces in Hackney on flexibility without formalities
- 6 'Common sense' prevails as Stamford Hill testing centre moved out of estate
- 7 Lockdown: Thirteen card players busted by police in Hackney social club
- 8 Stoke Newington School looks to raise £60K for student laptops
- 9 Homerton Hospital says 'stay home' after 'major incident' declared
- 10 Homerton High Street attack: Man in his 50s stabbed in the back