George Elliott
Detective Constable George Elliott, 275H.
Witness at Frances Coles' inquest.
Born c.1860, warrant no.65447.[1]
Appeared on the first day of Frances Coles' inquest. He was on plain-clothes duty on the night of 12th-13th February 1891, starting at 10.00pm on the 12th. He stated:
"I was on duty in front of Baron Rothschild's refinery in Royal Mint-street until 2:15 a.m., when I heard a whistle blowing. I went in the direction of the sound, and when I got to the entrance of Swallow-gardens I saw the constable's lamp turned on and heard his whistle again. I went to him. He was standing under the arch, close to the body of a woman. I looked round and then went off to Leman-street Police-station. I had not been far from this spot since 10 o'clock the previous night, and nothing unusual attracted my attention. Plenty of men and women passed through Swallow-gardens up to 12:30 a.m. I do not recollect seeing any man or woman pass after that time."
He went on to say that had there been a cry for help he most certainly would have heard it as the area was so quiet. He reckoned he was about 250 yards from Swallow Gardens when he heard PC Thompson's whistle. He did not realise that footsteps had been heard until he was told about it the following morning.[2]
