Prison Documents Relating To Lennie Smith

These documents have come to light as a result of a FOI request by Martin Walkerdine and so credit must go to him but also to Daedalus for formatting this post and images and Greenlight for transcribing some of the very hard to read handwritten documents.

 

Click on images to expand:

Transcription:
John William Thornton, 37, Leonard William Smith, 31, Leslie
Goddard, 37, Sidney Cooke, [58], Roy Morris, 25 and Walter
Balantyne, 46, have all been charged with conspiracy to commit buggary with boys under the age of consent.
Details of the [crimes] were obtained from [ ].
Thornton and the other five used to pick up runaway boys
and use them for their own sexual pleasures before setting
them up as prostitutes.
Morris was the one who usually picked the boys up from
London and took them to the others [ ] usually Thornton
set them up as prostitutes. There was never any violence used towards the boys [ ].
Thornton is suspected of giving them [LSD ].
All 6 were arrested on a [ ].
They have all admitted [ ]
Although the current charge only relates to a 13 year old boy
they are known to have picked up and used many others
and further charges will follow.
All but Goddard have previous convictions. Thornton’s was
for [ ] burglary and [handling]. Morris was for theft,
burglary, criminal damage and [deception]. Smith’s was for [ ] burglary, theft, deception and [ ]. …handling, burglary
and …

Transcription:
…to be dangerous.
distasteful offence in that young runaway boys were used for
sexual purposes and were put on the streets as prostitutes.
None of the boys however were forced to take part in the
acts and no violence was used. None of these in my mind
are anywhere near warrenting cat ‘A’.
? All six not cat A on remand.
I agree that although this offence is distasteful these men
cannot be considered as category A material since no
violence has been used. However I think we should review
carefully on conviction in view of the fact that they may be
charged with further offences.
? As proposed
Cd you find out the number of other charges there may be
involved pl?
Violence was not used in any of them.
20/3

Transcription:
Wormwood Scrubs pleased with [ ] sent.
1) Mr [ ]
2) Registry to note not cat A
Noted 1 Apr 1986
3) PA

PDP Registry
Correspondence date
2/11/87
filed 25 Nov 1987
Initials

Transcription:
I’ve spoke agan to Dc who told me that so far 3 boys have made statements to the police concerning the [evidence]. And that 3 boys have been questioned but are reluctant to make a statement. The police are still making enquiries and it is possible that more victims may be discovered.
Dr [ ]
Although these six men could presumably face at least a further 6 charges of a similar nature there are no indications that violence was ever used against the boys.
The circumstances of the offences do not suggest there is a need to read them as highly dangerous.
I agree we should look closely at this case on conviction.
All 6 not cat A on remand.
Lennie Smith is charged with murder. Details of the offence
are on docs (7). These were confirmed by DCI.

Transcription:
up and arranged the activities. Were it not for the question of the other murder, there would be no case here for category A conditions. It would be helpful if police advisors could provide some indication of how strongly suspected Leonard Smith is of the murder of Barry Lewis.
DCI mentioned that in interview Sydney Cooke and Robert Oliver geve 2 differeing adresses as the scene of the crime. Leslie Baily also mentioned a 1/2 caste boy being present, the fate of whom is not known. Are these circumstances the grounds for the police’s suspicions of another murder?
Police Advisors.
Please see x1 and x2 above for your comments please.
(DCI Coss 0277230373)
P3 8/12/87 (Rest of document is typed).

Transcription:
DCI confirmed that none of the men intended to kill Jason, but once he was dead, they were very calm and careful in disposing of the body. Because of the circumstances of the murder, Smith’s name too has been mentioned in the investigation of the murder of Barry Lewis in South London. However police have no evidence and no charges will be brought against Smith.

Smith has numerous pre cons. A full list of at doc 5. His longest sentence was 2 1/2 years for Ind. Ass. It was on remand for this charge that Smith was a potential cat A (made not cat A 21/3/86). On of his present co acc Sydney Cooke, was also a co occ of Smith in 1986. Smith was [ ] arrested from this sentence, for the current charge.

Smith’s role in the offence is greater than the other five mens and his name being linked with another murder has prompted DCI [Cass] to say he requires cat A conditions. He is not considered an escape risk.

Smith’s ‘great role’ in the offence involves no more than him being the one who picked the boy.

Transcription:
This new information calls for a reappraisal of the
dangerousness of the accused. I should like to consider the
results please. 9 12 87
Leonard Smith is considered by the police investigating to be
the instigator of the offence, and the onlyl one worthy of cat
A conditions, the others just going along with his
arrangements, with the exception of Leslie Bailey who may
have hit Swift with an iron bar (the only action which could
have had no intention other than to harm). As regards the
Carl Lewis murder, all suspects in the

Transcription:
Swift case have been interviewed. It is not probable but
possible that there is a connection. The two investigations
have a computer link up to exchange information so police
keep an open mind on their involvement.
The police investigating the Lewis murder are still actively
pursuing other lines of enquiry. The investigation will continue
up till the mens trial. They are due to be committed on
15.2.88. A lot still seems to remain uncertain. However the
finger of guilt points steadily in Leonard Smiths direction and
as such cat A conditions seem suitable. If there is a
connection with the Carl Lewis murder, he is it.
Details of the above obtained from Dr [Heard]
Smith cat A on remand, review others closely on conviction
(esp Bailey)
I agree
7.4.88
7187

Transcription:
1) Mr [redacted] to note now cat A
2) Mr [redacted] to ” ” ”
3) Police advisors to ” ” ”
4) Regy to note, now cat A
5) BD 5.6.88 to me conviction
22/2/88
Smith’s cases was dismissed on 14/4/88.
He has be rearrested on another murder charge and is in [Bll]
custody. I informed [redacted] he should bring him into
prison custody asap.
20/4/88
The above information now appears to relate to Smith. He*
has only returned from police custody and is not further
charged.
* [redacted]
20/4/88

Transcription:
B87908 Smith
H M Prison
Jebb Avenue
Brixton
London
SW2 5XF
[Stamped] 19 Jan 1988 20 Jan 1988

Dear Home Secretary
As you can see from the above address i am in prison
on remand for murder i am charged along with four others
who are hear in this prison also the thing i dont understand is
why have i been made a cat “A” and not one of the others
have i must stress to you i have never been violent or a
danger to anyone. i have been in prison now for 23 months
and of that time i have done one sentence of 30 moths
(which i had to do 20 months of 30) i have there fore been
hear on the charge for three months and as a cat “A” since
the 8th/1/88.
i would like you if you can to change your mind about my
being made a
PTO

Transcription:
2
cat “A” as i have said already i have never been a vilont or
danger person.
even the officers who have known me for most of the time i
have spent hear can not understand why i should be a cat
“A”.
look forward to hearing from you about this matter
yours sincerely
L W Smith
Leonard William Gilchrist Smith

[Stamped H M Prison and Home Office April 1988]

Transcription:
B87908 Smith L W
H M Prison
Jebb Avenue
Brixton
London
SW2 5XF

i am writing to you as i have as you know lived in the
hackney AREA for sometime before being sent to prison.
i am at present on remand charged with murder as my
solicitor told you in his letter dated the 14th of march.
i put a petition in to the home office 26th of FEB since them i
have heard that they will look into it. i have been waiting now
to come of cat “A” status as yet it seems notheing has been
done i don’t know if there is anything else i can do to speed
things up? as i am back in court on the 11th of april to the
14th for old style committed which i hope to be going home if
not i don’t think i can stand another 8 mo on remand as a
cat “A” that is if it is not me
PTO

Transcription:
2

there is another reason for my writing to you and i don’t
know if you can help me but hear goes i had a flat on
Kingsmead estate hackney but since i have been in prison
the houseing have termanated my tennance i have wrote
and wrote to them and asked about my property they said
they would put it in storage i also asked them is they would
tell me if they would would rehouse me when this is all over
as yet i have not had a letter to any of my letters as to
what they are doing my solicitor had a letter from them
sometime ago in which they say
the flat had been broken into several times and items may
well have been taken.
if this is the case then what can i do about it? i was not
insured also i need a home when i get out i don’t
PTO

Transcription:
3

wish to be in a bed and breakfast as i have been in one
room long enough.
i look forward to hearing from you
yours sincerely
Leonard William Gilchrist Smith

Transcription:
Smith petitions from Shepton Mallet for transfer to a local
London prison in order to have visits and make
arrangements for accommodation on release.
Smith is a Cat ‘c’ inmate, serving 1yr 9mths his EFR is
6.12.83.
Smith does not present any compelling reason for transfer,
he has no relatives who visit and no compassionate grounds.
The probation officer at Shepton mallet has contacted the
After Care Officer in London with a view to helping Smith find
accommodation on release. Therefore, I do not feel this is a
strong case for transfer.
Reply? “NO ACTION”
13/9/83
Agreed. Arrangements for accommodation can be made via
the Prob Service.
15.9.83
Reply “No Action” sent 19/9/83

Mostly typed and legible.

Smith was assaulted by another, unamed prisoner, allegedly over homosexual matters. He came here from Midland Region off R43 for this same reason. He is not to be returned to Birmingham for reallocation.