X PatronGerald Cavendish GrosvenorDuke of Westminster, KG, CB, OBE, TD, DLOur ref: JT57/2012Rex-V-Herbert HampsonDear Geraldine,As I said yesterday the Museum holds the CheshirePolice Officers statements and I have had to takeadvice this morning from the Constabularies legaldepartment to establish if we can release any ofthe information contained within, the upshot isthat we cannot. However we have in the UnitedKingdom the Data Protection Act to this end I havealso sought advice from the Public Record Officeat Chester as I said they hold the file andwithout going into the extreme complexities ofthis legislation, Herbert Hampson's file fallswithin the meaning of this Act, that is to say theonly person who can lawfully apply for theinformation is his direct next of kin. In thiscase would I be correct in assuming that Herbertdid not have children? Therefore his next of kinwould be his brother Harold, and presuming thatHarold may now also be deceased it may fall toyour ex-husband Patrick Hampson who can lawfullyrequest the information.During my conversation with the PRO I picked up onseveral points and they are that Patrick may haveto prove his connection to Herbert, i.e. Herbert'sbirth and death details. I have done a quicksearch with the National Births and DeathRegisters and I am presuming that Herbert was born24th September 1924 within the district ofStockport and Died November 2006 within Cheshire,can you confirm this for me? Further they may alsoask if you know the possible motive for the Murderi.e. robbery etc., whilst I do know what I believeis the reason was I think the PRO may wish to savethe family any further embarrassment or hurt andto this end may have to sanitise any informationthat they may give. As a retired Detective I urgeyou to consider do you or the family really wantor need to know? If you already know then this isof course a different matter but nevertheless Ibelieve it may still cause the family a great dealof hurt.As you have no doubt gathered I really amattempting to put you off trying to obtain theinformation, but to this end could you answer allthe above and after you reply then I will directyou as to where to send your enquiry.You should also be aware that the PRO will makecharges, but having said this they of course havethe file and access to the Chester ChronicleNewspaper Archives in which doubt the story wouldhave appeared, having said that I am presuminghere that the trial was held at Chester CrownCourt.They may also hold the Assize Records, but theactual case file i.e. everything that would havebeen dealt with at the Crown Court may have beendestroyed or held at the National Archives inLondon, but firstly I would deal with ChesterArchives.Please don't think I do not wish to help, I do Ijust am very mindful of sensitive informationbeing given out resulting in pehaps further familydivisions.I understand there may be a few technical issueswith the Museum web site today so if you areunable to send your reply through from there thenplease forward it to my own emailSincerleyJim Talbot, Trustee and Researcher Museum ofPolicing in Cheshire.Museum of Policing in Cheshire,Warrington Police Station, Arpley Street,Warrington. WA1 1LQTel : 01606 36 3848/5803www.museumofpolicingincheshire.org.uk/