C.I.D. Office.
Allerton Station.
Weds. 21st January, 1931.
JAMES EDWARD SERJEANT says:-
I am Constable 220″F” of the Liverpool Police, attached to Allerton Station. At about 7.43 p.m. on Tuesday the 20th January 1931, I was standing at the junction of Green Lane and Allerton Road, when a man approached me from Green Lane, and asked me to direct him to Menlove Gardens (not Avenue) East.
I told him there was no Menlove Gardens East, but there was Menlove Gardens North, South and West. He explained to me that he had been to Menlove Gardens West, No, 25, but a man he was looking for did not live there. He also said he had been to Menlove Gardens Noth and South, but the umbers were all even.
(The latter is correct).
During a conversation he led me to believe that he was connected with the Insurance business, and was looking for a Mr. Qualthorp [sic; and I suggest this is more likely the officer’s mis-recollection as opposed to the name he was given], who had rung up the club, leaving a message for him, and giving the address as mentioned.
I suggested he should try 25 Menlove Avenue. He asked me if I knew where he could see a directory, and I advised him to try the Post Office in Allerton Road, and if he could not see oen there he might call at Allerton Police Station, which I pointed out to him [~200 yards from here, according to Maddock].
The man then walked towards the Post Office and I did not see him again.
He would be a man about 50 years, about 5’11” [too short, misjudged], slim build, and as far as I can remember he was wearing either a dark coloured raincoat or dark overcoat, the material not being very thick.
I thought he stammered a little during the time he spoke to me and he appeared to be a nervous type of man.
(Signed) James Edward SERJEANT Con.220
Evidence taken 20th February 1931.
JAMES EDWARD SARJEANT:-
I am Police Constable 220 F. of the Liverpool City Police. On the 20th January last I was on duty around Menlove Gardens and Green Lane.
At 7.40 p.m. I left the Allerton Police Station and crossed over to the junction of Green lane and Allerton Road. A man came up to me. He was the accused. He asked me if I knew or could I tell him Menlove Gardens East. I stated that there was no Menlove Gardens East, but there was a Menlove Gardens North, South and West. he said he had been to Menlove Gardens West, No. 25, and there were even numbers in Menlove Gardens North and South. He said he was an Insurance Agent and he was looking for a Mr. Quallthorp. He spelt the name to me. He said he (Quallthorp) had rung up the Club leaving a message for him with his colleague to call at 25, Menlove Gardens East. I told him to try Menlove Avenue. He asked me if No. 25 was far away. I said it is in the first of the second block. I then remembered and said “It is the third house in the second block”. He said “Thank you”, half turned away and came back again. He then asked me if I knew where he could see a directory. I told him he could see one at the Post Office in Allerton Road or Allerton Police Station, which was just across the way [Maddock: “P.C.Serjeant is not quite correct when he says the Allerton Police Station “was just across the way”. That is to say, it is not across the street in the ordinary sense, it is to the left across a triangular green and I should think at least 200 yards away.”]. He said “It is not 8 o’clock yet” and pulled out his watch. I also did the same. He said “It is just a quarter to”. I saw that that was the correct time. The accused then went towards the Post Office in Allerton Road.
