Mr Maddox-Smith

Mr Maddox-Smith was a member of the Board of Miami Modes who came to Elsie Tanner’s November 1969 trial on a charge of stealing from the store. He was there at the request of Mr Palmer, Elsie’s lawyer, and was willing to give a character witness for her, having known her for many years since his days as a buyer for the “Better Dressed” department. In the end, his statement was not needed as the matter was dropped because of insufficient evidence. However the matter raised was not cleared as there were slight contradictions between Elsie’s evidence and that of her supposed friend Dot Greenhalgh - the true culprit.

After the case, he asked to see Dot and Elsie back at No 11 where he told them that if he’d had his way the case wouldn’t have gone to court at all but the matter was too far gone by the time he’d got to hear about it. He pointed out that the fact remained that the goods had been stolen and as they didn’t know who the thief was there was still a shadow over the firm and Elsie’s department. She and Dot would always be under suspicion and the best thing would be for the two of them to resign to stop the indecision and the hurtful guesses. Elsie accepted the inevitable and also said a final goodbye to Dot after many years’ friendship.

1969

 * Mon 10th Nov
 * Wed 12th Nov