The Bobbies and the Prostitutes

[Phil Carter]

Hello David,

Yup, thats what I read too, same two books. It makes two different angles.

Because that Sourcebook is direct from testimony from the inquest. A-Z is the author's summerisation of Morris' normal working practices based on his testimony.

Seasons best wishes

Phil

[DVV]

Yes Phil,
I wouldn't go beyond the Sourcebook's wording, especially in Eddowes case.
We can't say Morris testimony contradicts Watkins'. Neither does Gordon Brown.

Amitiés, bonnes fêtes,
David

[Phil Carter]

David,

Totally agree. Shows how grabbing one book before the other to refer to, can "change" things. It was pure chance I grabbed the A-Z first.. normally the Sourcebook is nearer to my right hand on the shelf.

Voila!

best wishes

Phil

[j.r-ahde]

Hello you all!

I think, that there has always been police officers, who have been looking elsewhere for a "free ride"...

But I agree, it would have been pretty risky at the time of the autumn of terror!

However, my first idea about the identity of JtR was a police officer. Back in the 1970s, when I once read about the case...

All the best
Jukka

[DVV]

Love on the beat

Hi Jukka, and Merry Xmas,

actually, this thread is more about constables on their beat, and about the possibility that Watkins didn't patrol Mitre Square at 1.30, since his early career is sullied with problems mentioned above, thanks to Monty and Rob Clack...

Amitiés
David

[The Rookie Detective]

Bump up for a great topic.

More to discuss on this subject for sure.

I mean, why not?

[The Rookie Detective]

Service record of City Police Constable 881 indicates he was caught having sex with a woman whilst on duty.

Cant recall the date as Im at work.

And City PC 881 is?

Monty

Interestingly, in April 1871, Watkins can be found lodging at a "coffee house."

Considering that a vast number of "Coffee houses" were a cover for brothels and houses of ill repute, it does make one wonder whether Watkins had a penchant for women who sold their services?

Being found having sex with a woman whilst on duty (August 1872) less than 18 months after he was lodging at the coffee house in the 1871 census, may imply that he had a taste for certain vices.... and not necessarily in coffee.

So when we have Watkins as the only police officer ever to be the first to discover the body of a canonical 5 Ripper victim; coupled with another officer who was sacked not long after the murder (relatively speaking) for reasons unknown, it perhaps raises concerns regarding the integrity of both Watkins and Harvey respectively.

Regarding Watkins having been caught having sex with a woman whilst on duty; does it specify where the explicit encounter was discovered?

One would assume that Watkins was seen and caught in the act whilst on duty in the street/alleyway/under an arch etc...?

An officer openly prepared to take risks in the street?

Despite having never married; Watkins cohabited with his long term partner (and house keeper) Augusta Fowler, for around half a century.

He had also sent one of his daughters (Sophy) away to a nunnery.

Hush hush and all that.


Certainly a very intriguing individual, and for me is still a person of interest in the Ripper case.