RUINED BY GOSSIP

Lake Wakatip Mail, Issue 4432, 5 September 1939, Page 3

RUINED BY GOSSIP

RESULT OF MURDER INQUIRY A London fruiterer who shoidd have attended a meeting of his creditors declared that he had been ruined by gossip. He is 47-year-old Mr Walter Pea, who weighs 19 stone and is a wellknown local character in Wandsworth, London.

Detectives investigating the murder of Mrs Rose Atkins, on Wimbledon Common last July, took Mr Pea to the police station. They kept him there for three and a-half hours, but he had no difficulty in proving that he know nothing of the affair. George Brain, young Richmond van driver, was hanged for the woman’s murder.

“ But you know how people talk,” said Mr Pea. “ This tittlctattle spread. I lost many of my best customers.” He is seriously ill in hospital, his illness following worry about the case, and his failing business. He was in hospital for five weeks in the Autumn. “ I’ve been in business in Wandsworth road district since the war.” Mr Pea said. “ I took the fruit and vegetable shop five years ago, and built up a nice little business. The takings were up to £7O a week. Then one afternoon last July—it was two days after the woman was found dead on Wimbledon Common —Detective-inspector Jack Henry came to the shop. I’ve known him for years. I laughed when he said he wanted to talk to me about the murder. They took me to Wimbledon Police Station and showed me photographs of the dead woman. I was able to convince the police that I knew nothing about the case. “ The tales went on. I was in hos'pital for five weeks. When I came out the takings had dropped to less than £3O a week. There was a pile of bills. I never had a chance to recover.”