Prison and the Birch

The Times, London, 20 January 1932, p.6

The RECORDER (Sir Ernest Wild, K.C.) sentenced Howitt to 17 months’ imprisonment and 20 strokes with the birch; Boothright to 14 months and 16 strokes with the birch; and Biggs to 11 months’ imprisonment without a birching, there being a medical certificate that he was unfit for such punishment.At the Old Bailey on Monday ARTHUR FREDERICK HOWITT, 26, labourer; HARRY BIGGS, 21, billiards marker; and FREDERICK BOOTHRIGHT, 19, labourer, were found Guilty of robbery with violence and wounding with intent to do grievous bodily harm to Arsenius Thomas Carrel. It was stated that the three men hid at the Marlborough Picture Theatre, Holloway-road, N., by climbing on to the roof after a performance. On descending into the building they encountered the night watchman, Carrel, who was struck over the eye with a jemmy. An attempt was also made by Howitt and Boothright to gag Carrel. Some cupboards in a storeroom were opened and a quantity of cigarettes and chocolates removed.