Unlucky Goldsmith

Unlucky Goldsmith.
Tarlok Mittu, was a Asian goldsmith, who had premises in Staveley Road, Wolverhampton, some 150 yards from the then Divisonal Police Station, Dun stall Road. I went there in 1969 staying until late 1972. Mr. Mittu, helped with translations, never charging. He struck me as quiet man, although a clever goldsmith. In 197o, on a Saturday afternoon, I had just completed duty at a Wolverhampton Wanderers Football match.and I was in my first floor office, removing my outer clothing, before travelling home. I heard loud voices, and went to the top of the stairs, to hear an officer, tell someone, they could not see me, until Monday morning. I shouted down, to send up the person, who was endeavoring to see me. Up come Tarlok Mittu, he looked tired, and worried. He sat down and told me an amazing story/ He had travelled to London on the Friday evening previously, to met an Asian, who was obtaining him some £5000 worth of bar gold, for his business. Gold was then controlled, although the government, has announced that restrictions were to be withdrawn. This Asian had told Mittu, that the deal was with an Hatton Garden reputable dealer, was above board, but the amount was slightly over the permitted maximum. Mitta had £5000 in c ash, £500 in a Bankers Draft for the middle man. He went with the Asian to Hatton Garden, paid his £5000. gave the agent, the draft. and was on his way out of the building, with hius gold, when they were surrounded by nine police officers. Mittu was told that he was under arrest, for illegal dealing and was taken to Hammersmith Police Station, he did not go into the charge room, but into a CID Office. The gold was on the table. so was the money, but not the bankers draft. No officers, gave there names. Mittu was not charged with anything. He was then pushed through a rear door, no gold, no money, no charge. He went back into the front of the station. He explained what had happened. He was told to leave, as no one would speak to him about his so called arrest. He went to New Scotland Yard, and was told at the enquiry office, that there was no trace of him being in a police station, and was threatened with arrest/ Mittu decided to return to Wolverhampton. For some reason, he wanted my advice.Mittu described in detail, the room he had been kept in, and the men who had arrested him. He gave me a name and exact desciption of the agent, who had made the arrangements. I telephoned Hammersmith Police Station, I asked to speak to as senior officer. I was asked by the Station Sergeant. What is this about. I replied, I want to make a complaint" He said, I will take it" I made it clear that I wish to speak to a Superintendent at least. Whilst, I was on the telephone, I heard voices, one clearly, said, "It only about the Paki" ".f... him" After three more calls, I could see, that I was not going to get anywhere. All at this Police Station, knew what was going on. It took me a hour, to finally converse, with A DAC, a high ranking officer, he tried to put me off, but I told him, that if the room was not forensically searched for gold presence, and station staff interviewed I would inform the press. I was fed up at being fobbed off.Two hours later, the DAC telephoned me. He has found gold particles in he CID Room. He had suspended one Inceptor, 2 sergeants and six constables.He also asked me to be available at 2pm on Monday with Mr. Mittu. He would personally interview us. He did not do so a Chief Supt from a special squad with an Inspector took statements/ We were told the gold had been recovered, so had the money, and the Asian agent arrested, he was in custody I HAD CLEARLY FOUND AN HONEST MAN/Some months later, Mittu and I were warned for magistrates court, strangely, the committal took place, and the men concerned appeared at the Old Bailey. Neither of us were called. Some of the men pleaded, others did not. They all were sentenced to long periods of imprisonment. Clearly Mr. Mittu was pleased We remained friends until his untimely death. His young wife, died a little time before that. They both desire children. They never achieved it.Mitta left a brother, also a goldsmith and other relatives. The Mittus have a high respect in our community. Fair, honest and skilled artisans/The case, caused hardly a comment from the local CID, several times later, I had minor problems with them. They most ended up in the famous Serious Crime Squad, or other rag bag units. I had committed the cardinal sin. I had listened to an Asian. Not the done thing in 1972 I was frequently reminded by senior detectives, that this case had not "Done me any good" I always felt vindicated.