Birch For Attempted Robbery

The Times, London, 24 February 1926

Sentence of eight months’ imprisonment in the second division and 16 strokes with the birch was passed by the Recorder (Sir Ernest Wild, K.C.) at the Central Criminal Court yesterday, on PHILLIP GOUROVITCH, 16, salesman, of Russo-Jewish parentage, who pleaded “Guilty” to a charge of, while armed with a revolver, assaulting Miss Margaret Driscoll and Miss Melaine Bernstein with intent to rob them. Mr. Beaufoi Moore prosecuted. It was stated that the prisoner entered a tobacconist’s shop in Newington-causeway where the two women were employed, and presenting a revolver called on them to hold up their hands and tried to rob the till. He was prevented from opening the till, and leaving the shop was pursued and given into custody. The accused admitted going into the shop to get money, but said he meant only to frighten the women with the revolver, which was empty. The RECORDER said that both Miss Driscoll and Miss Bernstein deserved praise for the courage which they displayed.