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Fitted Up George Thatcher

Fitted Up By George Thatcher

Fitted Up by George Thatcher


$13.69
Condition - Very Good
Only 4 left

Summary

a story of a life of poverty in the 1930s and '40s as a child and young man - a life of petty crime in London's bleak 1950s underworld reminiscent of all those black and white gangster films of the period.

Fitted Up Summary

Fitted Up: The Mitcham Co-op Murder and the Fight to Prove My Innocence by George Thatcher

Fitted Up is the remarkable true story of George Thatcher, who spent four weeks in a death cell awaiting the noose for murder following the Mitcham Co-op robbery in 1962. He was later reprieved, but would still serve eighteen years for a crime he did not commit. This is a story of how corrupt policemen 'fitted him up' for the crime; a story of a life of poverty in the 1930s and '40s as a child and young man - a life of petty crime in London's bleak 1950s underworld reminiscent of all those black and white gangster films of the period. Thatcher was a non-violent 'peter' man, a safe-blower. He once blew the safes of three Surrey cinemas in one night. He was a West End 'Jack the Lad', but not a murderer. So when he was sentenced to death following the botched robbery, which he wasn't even a part of, his life was turned upside down. There is a detailed retelling of the farce of a trial. Thatcher's barrister was the renowned Christmas Humphreys, who, during the whole trial, spent barely 15 minutes talking to him. The policeman in charge of the case subsequently committed suicide - could this have been related to any guilt he might have felt over the imprisonment of an innocent man? George was sent to prison for life serving his sentence alongside men such as the Krays, Frankie Fraser and Ronnie Biggs. A riveting tale of poverty, injustice, incompetence, skullduggery, survival and ultimately freedom.

Fitted Up Reviews

An authentic account of how professional criminals were treated by police in the 1950s and '60s, even when they faced the death penalty. The 'verbal' confession was fabricated in the police canteen, the evidence rules were unfair to those with previous convictions, and the judges were hostile and the defence lawyers could not care less. As for the jurors, they were members of a public that watched Dixon of Dock Green and thought it reflected reality. -- Geoffrey Robertson QC

Additional information

GOR007095727
9780750959650
0750959657
Fitted Up: The Mitcham Co-op Murder and the Fight to Prove My Innocence by George Thatcher
Used - Very Good
Paperback
The History Press Ltd
20140901
N/A
Book picture is for illustrative purposes only, actual binding, cover or edition may vary.
This is a used book - there is no escaping the fact it has been read by someone else and it will show signs of wear and previous use. Overall we expect it to be in very good condition, but if you are not entirely satisfied please get in touch with us

Customer Reviews - Fitted Up