THROUGH THE ARCHIVES: Special bailiff in court accused of breaking and entering

From the News Letter, June 21, 1910
Atlantic Avenue, BelfastAtlantic Avenue, Belfast
Atlantic Avenue, Belfast

Francis Jenkins who was described as a “special bailiff” had been put forward on remand the previous day charged with having broken and entered an unoccupied house of Atlantic Avenue in Belfast, reported the News Letter on this day in 1910.

Ellen McCarthy of 27 Atlantic Avenue said that at about 4.45pm on the afternoon of June 11 a man had called at her house and asked if anyone named Berry lived at number 29.

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She said she had replied that she did not know and that some minutes later that she had heard a window being broken and on looking out she had seen two men in the yard of number 29.

Meanwhile, a little girl named Lowry who also lived on Atlantic Avenue told the court that the prisoner had called at her mother’s door and had asked if Mackenzie lived at the address.

William Hill a bailiff from Raleigh Street told the court that he along with a man named Gaston had been in Atlantic Avenue as they had a decree to serve against a person named Mackenzie.

Later that day he had met the prisoner in Royal Avenue and they had returned to Atlantic Avenue where Jenkins had pointed out number 29.

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Jenkins had then climbed over the yard wall and opened the door leading to the entry through which they went.

Hill said that Jenkins believed that there was someone in the house that he had climbed up a spout during which time the window was broken and he had climbed into the house.

It was at this time that Hill realised that they were at the wrong address but the accused was convinced that it was the right house and wanted to send for a van to take away some furniture.

Hill said that it had been hard to persuade Jenkins to leave the house.

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The agent for the property said that the owner was in America and that Jenkins had no authority to enter the property.

A remand for a week was granted and the accused was released “on his own recognisances”.

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