Edward Charles Smith

Joseph Brown and Edward Charles Smith were convicted of the murder of Frederick Gosling 79 who they asphyxiated at Clay Corner, Chertsey on 12 January 1951.

Joseph Brown, Edward Smith and a third man had attempted to rob Frederick Gosling's shop earlier in the day but had been scared off when some school girls came into the shop. Frederick Gosling called the police who came out to see him and took his statement. However, they later returned and beat him and gagged him and then stole £163. the third man who had sat in the car during the robbery gave evidence against the other two and was discharged.

Frederick Gosling died from asphyxiation.

The police man early developments in the case when they found a witness who had seen the driver of the car at the scene who he recognised as Joseph Brown's brother. When questioned the driver implicated his brother Joseph Brown.

A forensic examination of the car was undertaken and they found goat hair on the floor mat that matched goat hair from Frederick Gosling bedroom exactly.