When the alleged Preston ‘Fagin’ become artful dodger instead

Local historian Keith Johnson looks back at a court case that left the investigating officer in despair.
Bank Parade was a target for thievesBank Parade was a target for thieves
Bank Parade was a target for thieves

In late October 1853 it appears that a reporter of the ‘Preston Chronicle’ at the Preston police court was well versed in the fictional characters made famous by Charles Dickens. His report began with the headline ‘A Regular Fagin’ in reference to the notorious receiver of stolen goods. Facing the magistrates was John McAllum, aged 54, who was accused of receiving various articles knowing them to be stolen.

There had been a spate of thefts in recent months with properties in Bank Parade, Frenchwood Street and Avenham being targetted by petty thieves who would seize upon any opportunity to make off with provisions or goods.

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A week earlier three young men Thomas Cooper, aged 21, Thomas Clarkson, aged 19,and Henry Eccles, aged 19, had appeared before the magistrates having been apprehended by P.C. Poole on several charges of burglary and felony. In consequence they had all been remanded in custody at the House of Correction awaiting their trials at the next Preston Sessions.

The court heard that P.C. Poole had visited the home of McAllum and in drawers and boxes of which he held the keys several articles were found that had been proceeds of the robberies that the young men were accused of carrying out. McAllum who was outraged at the intrusion denying all knowledge of the property being stolen.

A lady from Frenchwood Street testified that certain items found in McAllum’s house including shoes and a knife had been stolen from her home and a shopkeeper of Shepherd Street identified handkerchiefs and razors as being stolen from her premises. The magistrates deemed there was sufficient evidence to remand McAllum in custody while the police investigated further, and on the following Tuesday after further submissions he was remanded for trial at the next Preston Sessions.

In late November 1853 the Preston Sessions were held before the chairman Mr. T. B. Addison. Cooper and Clarkson were charged together with stealing bread, butter, sugar, tea, coffee and even a pair of trousers. Whilst Cooper was further charged with stealing two mufflers, handkerchiefs and various provisions. The jury took little time in finding them guilty as charged and Cooper was sentenced to four years penal servitude and Clarkson to 18 months imprisonment.

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Later in the day Eccles stood accused of stealing shoes and other articles from recent robberies and pleaded his innocence. The jury thought otherwise and he was sentenced to 18 months imprisonment. The court heard that he was currently serving a sentence of three months having been previously convicted as a rogue and vagabond.

When McAllum took his place in court he was accused of not only receiving stolen goods but of stealing. Despite the best endeavours of the prosecution and the testimony of P.C. Poole there was clearly a lack of evidence relative to the latter charges. He had also continually denied knowing that the goods in his possession were the proceeds of robberies.

The jury after a lengthy deliberation returned a verdict of not guilty and Mr. Addison reluctantly informed him that he had been acquitted and was free to leave the court room. The apparent ‘Fagin’ had become ‘Jack Dawkins’ the artful dodger much to the despair of P.C. Poole who had been working tirelessly to solve the robbery issues in the neighbourhood.

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