On this day in 1933
Men on trial for Jersey Airways scam
Three men appeared in court, accused of setting up a company designed to confuse investors who thought they were buying into Jersey Airways. Captain Charles Gervais had been arrested in Guernsey while boarding the Jersey-bound mail boat and charged with making false pretences. He had been trying to set up an inter-island air service, had established London Guernsey Jersey Airways and was fraudulently selling shares for £10. He wasn’t the only one suspected of wrongdoing: two other men were sought for their parts in the scheme.
A few days later, aeronautical engineer Joseph Novarro faced similar charges and, by 6 November, Arthur Rogers was in custody. The case could go ahead.
The initial hearing happened in camera, so proceedings couldn’t be reported, and took eight days to complete, at the end of which Gervais additionally stood charged of having fraudulently offered to a Mr Grey the contract to supply 162 gallons of fuel and 48 gallons of oil a day, in return, Grey would buy £200 worth of shares.
The full trial lasted less than a week, with the split jury deciding by a majority that there was no proven case to be answered. The men had pleaded not guilty.
FREE Jersey history newsletter
Don't miss our weekly update on Jersey's fascinating history. We promise never to sell your data to anyone else, and there's a super-easy unsubscribe link on the bottom of each email so you can leave whenever you want.
Yesterday…
Jersey concentration camp prisoner Gordon Prigent is born
Gordon Prigent was born in St Helier in 1924 and during the occupation was sent to deported to Alderney.
Jersey gets the roller-skating bug
Crowds took to the floor of a rink at West Park Pavilion as they kept warm through winter by roller skating.
Tomorrow…
Ralph Vibert was Jersey’s solicitor general from 1948 until 1955 and, for two years from 1957, a deputy representing St Brelade.
Fort Regent construction work begins
Fort Regent was built at one of the highest point of Jersey, where it could keep watch over St Helier and the harbour.