Joseph Berry

[Greaves]

Hi

I have just discovered thanks to the Bucks Herald (2 May 1947) that a distant relative of mine now dead was sentenced to 4 years in 1947 for breaking into a house in High Wycombe presumably in 1947. There is very little detail in the article.

Any idea how I can find out more about the court case or the incident?

[philipsearching]

Does the article mention the court where the sentence was passed?

[Greaves]

Afraid not, only that the crime took place in Feb 1947. Since it involved breaking into a large house in High Wycombe and stealing a safe, I would expect a fairly high level court  at least the equivalent of a Crown Court. They got away with over £1000, quite a sum in those days.

[chempat]

Have you considered starting at the most local level, and contacting High Wycombe to see what archives they hold, or just for more general advice?

http://www.thelawpages.com/legal-directory/High-Wycombe-Magistrates-Court-232-1.pgs

[philipsearching]

Have you considered starting at the most local level, and contacting High Wycombe to see what archives they hold, or just for more general advice?

http://www.thelawpages.com/legal-directory/High-Wycombe-Magistrates-Court-232-1.pgs

chempat offers a brilliant suggestion.  I don't know how things worked in 1947 but these days every prosecution starts in the local Magistrates' Court where it is either dealt with or referred to a Crown Court.  Magistrates' Court records are often patchy, but they should at least have the basic case information - offence, hearing date and disposition.