Saltley Reformatory Inmates

John Clifford

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Notes:

26 September 1857 There is a report of his previous conviction in the Birmingham Journal 26 September 1857 p.10 col.6: TAKING LADS WITHOUT CHARACTERS. - A young lad, John Clifford, who is a frame maker, and resides with his parents in Great Hampton Row, was charged with stealing a sovereign, the property of his master, Mr J Smith, plater, Burbury Street. It was shown that on the preceding Friday this lad was sent by Mrs Smith to fetch some meat from their butcher, and a large dish to hold the meat, and a sovereign to pay for it, were given to Clifford. The young rogue left the dish and the order at the butcher's, saying he would call for them and pay, but he did not do so. Detective Alexander took him into custody, and on stating the charge against him the lad admitted his guilt. He had bought a new coat and a new pair of boots with a portion of the money, and the remainder he had given to another lad he knew. In answer to questions put by Mr Kynnersley, Mr Smith said that this youth telling him a plausible tale that he had long been working for his own father, he took him without further enquiry, and the very next day the money was stolen. The Stipendiary remarked that it was not prudent to take persons into an establishment on such slight knowledge, and he thought also that Mr Smith had placed too great a temptation in the lad's way by entrusting him with a sovereign. Mr Smith remarked that he never had before a thief in his works, and that made him take the lad perhaps too easily. The Court sent the culprit to gaol for twenty-one days. Mr Kynnersley finding that his father was in Court, asked him why he did not better look after his son, and was told that this had been done. He had tried every means to make him a good lad, but had failed. Alexander, however, intimated that such was not the case, and that the elder Clifford appeared but little troubled about his son's misconduct.

14 December 1857 There is a report of the offence which sent him to Saltley in the Birmingham Daily Post Saturday 14 December 1857 p.2 col.5: PIGEON STEALING. - A youth named John Clifford, described as a jeweller, residing in Great Hampton Street, was charged with stealing two pigeons, the property of Alexander Spragg, another lad, residing at Soho Hill. The case was a clear one. Whilst Police Constable Stanley (394) was on duty in Unett Street about half-past three o'clock this (Saturday) morning, he met the prisoner carrying two pigeons wrapped up in his apron. The officer questioned him as to how he became possessed of them, upon which he said that they were his own, and that he was on his way to the Bull Ring to fly them, in order to see if they would return home. Stanley, somehow or other, was struck with the improbability of this story, and took the prisoner to the station while he made a few enquiries about the pigeons, and in the course of a few hours afterwards he discovered that Spragg's pigeon pen had been broken open during the night and the birds taken away. The lad now identified them as his property, and the prisoner, who had been before the Court on two previous occasions, pleaded guilty, and was committed for four days to the House of Correction, and was ordered to be afterwards sent to a Reformatory for three years.

10 March 1858 ran home last night, brought back early this morning

10 April 1858 ran home again in company with Brookes (boy 61). Caught by gardener, brought back the same evening

10 February 1859 absconded in company with G Roberts (boy 49) about 8 o'clock at night while passing from the kitchen into the dining room for prayers

3 September 1859 was let down out of the dormitory window by J Evans (boy 134) with a twisted coverlet. Clifford then placed a ladder to the window and let Evans come down, when they both went off.

10 September 1859 his father told me he was at home. Sent the gardener to take him to Moor Street

12 September 1859 Mr Kynnersley ordered him 3 months imprisonment with hard labour. Returned 10th December

27 December 1859 absconded again. Brought back by his uncle 28 December

5 January 1860 The Reformatory Minute Book records: 640. Mr Ratcliff stated that he had authorised Mr Humphreys to write to the Bedford Reformatory to enquire if they would receive Clifford, a boy now at Saltley, and having obtained the consent to send him.

Resolved: that an application be made to the Home Office hor his transfer

1 March 1860 The Minute Book states: 663. On reading Minute 640, Mr Humphreys reported that the Bedford Reformatory had declined to receive Clifford.

3 March 1860 Absconded and went to Evans' at West Bromwich. Took Berry (boy 137) with him. Since apprehended and sent by Mr Kynnersley for 5 years to the Akbar [ex-man o'war converted to training ship reformatory, Liverpool]

20 March 1860 There is a report of a crime he committed after he absconded in the Birmingham Daily Post Tuesday 20 March 1860 p.3 col.2: The Lead Stealing in Berkeley Street. - A young but experienced thief, giving the name of William Williams (but whose real name is John Clifford), Lower Russell Street, was charged on a remand as above. The evidence of Mr. Pocock, manager to the Messrs. Tupper, copper and zinc pipe and gas tube manufacturers, Berkeley Street, and Detective Edwards, gave evidence which traced the possession of the stolen property to the accused. The act of taking the lead was rather daring, for the metal was placed In a small recess at the top of the warehouos stairs, close to an oflice where tbree clerks were at the books writing. They heard the slight noise the young and dexterous thief made, but did not think that a robbery had taken place, It was further shown that the culprit had run away from the Saltley Reformatory. Mr. Kynnersley said he should, after a month's imprisonment, be sent for five years to a more distant place of reformatory discipline.

4 September [no year given] had a letter from him. Is still at the Akbar

1 January 1864 called on him. Looking very well. Said he was about to leave on a voyage.

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