CONFIDENTIAL SUPPLEMENT A No 11. FRIDAY, MAY 23, 1924 Vol. XI. RIGHT FOREFINGER PRINT UNLESS OTHERWISE STATED 3L0 0 CONFIDENTIAL Supplement A THE POLICE GAZETTE No. 11. FRIDAY, MAY 23, 1924. Vol. XI. EXPERT AND TRAVELLING CRIMINALS. 199. Vernon Wallace, aliases Reginald Wilson, L. W. Oyston, Reginald Lionel Wills, Thomas Willis Oyston, Reginald Wallis, Reginald Wills, Louis Grenville, W. Kelly, J. Wilson, A. T. Wordrops, C. F. Barkley, Edward Brown, Vernon Wallis, " Captain " E. H. Poysor, E. M. Poyser, E. U. Poyser, G. Simpson, E. George, E. Cunningham, E. James, R. Norton, D. E. Norton, and E. Milsom and Lieut. E. Jones, C. R. O. No. 19126- 1917. Description : B. ( Toronto) 1897, 5ft. 8in., c. fresh, h. dk. brown, e. blue, woman rt., bird, tombstone, In memory of my mother, heart, sword, etc., 1. forearm. Personal Weaknesses, Peculiarities, etc. : Very smart appearance ; American accent. Sentenced at Warwick Sess., 3- 1- 1922, to 3 yrs. pen. for false pretences. Liberated on licence, 24- 4- 1924, into the M. P. D. Pre. con. of false pretences, fraud, attempted fraud and minor offences at LEICESTER, EDINBURGH, THORPE- LE- SOKEN, CLACTON- ON- SEA and on F. A number of similar cases were taken into consideration when sentence was passed. A persistent swindler who, having gained possession of stolen cheque books, travelled extensively and victimised hotel proprietors, officials of good class clubs and tradesmen by uttering worthless cheques. On occasions he has posed as an Army Officer and, to inspire confidence, produced Army papers, which had been stolen, in support of his claim. Method— ( i) Gained entrance to clubs by falsely representing himself as a newly elected member, or called and asked for a member whose name he had previously obtained, and when once inside he would walk boldly into the coffee or smoking rooms, produce a cheque ( worthless) and induce the cashier or waiter to cash it; if there was any demur he would immediately state that he was a new member. Whilst inside the clubs he made use of the members' book for information as to names. He has frequently presented a cheque signed in the name of a club member so as to avoid suspicion in the event of the person cashing it checking the name with the members' list. On one occasion he persuaded a member to cash a worthless cheque by stating he was temporarily in need of money. ( ii) In con. quoted he obtained possession of a motor cycle by uttering a worthless cheque. ( iii) After staying at a hotel for a few days, he requested the manager to advance him money on a cheque. To convince him that everything was genuine he produced Army papers, which belonged to another person, the cheque was cashed and later returned as " Signature forged." On another occasion whilst resident at a hotel, he posed as an Army officer, called upon a local tradesman, ordered a quantity of clothing and tendered a worthless cheque. Later the same day he visited a club in the locality and induced a member to cash a worthless cheque. He left the hotel without paying his bill. He stayed at a hotel as a private enquiry agent, cashed a cheque ( worthless) for £ 10 and left without settling his account. ( iv) Called upon a cycle agent, selected a sidecar for his motor cycle and gave a cheque ( worthless). ( v) Dressed in khaki uniform he called at a jeweller's shop, represented himself as a Sergeant- Major of the Canadian Army ; stated his father was foreman at a certain local engineering works, and asked for a wristlet watch, on approval, which he promised to return or pay the money later in the day, this he failed to do. ( vi) Obtained money by calling upon persons representing he was an ex- Sergeant of a Canadian Regiment, that he had been a member of a Canadian Hockey Team at the Olympic Games on the Continent, and had visited Paris, that he was temporarily in need of funds and had telegraphed to his father in Canada for £ 75. ( vii) Arrived in a town on a motor cycle, which he garaged for repairs, represented he had come from a distant town and stayed for the night at a hotel. On leaving the following day he tendered a cheque in settlement of his account, and for the repairs he also tendered a cheque and received £ 3 change. After proceeding a short distance the cycle again broke down and he returned to the garage, > stated he was short of cash and induced a person to cash a cheque for £ 5. The whole of the cheq ues were worthless. He was in possession of several testimonials purporting to have been issued by the Royal Air Force. 200. William Snowdon, aliases William Little, William Snowden, William Robertson, Walter Scott and Harry Smith, C. R. O. No. 1808- 1907. Description : B. ( Newcastle) 1875, 5ft. 3Jin., c. fresh, h. It. brown, e. blue, scar bridge of nose, lost small portion of 1. ear, butterfly rt., flowers 1. hand, star web of each thumb, ring second and fourth 1. fingers. Sentenced at C. C. C., 5- 9- 1916, to 7 yrs. pen. for receiving. Subsequently sentenced at Morpeth P. Sess., 31- 5- 1922, to 3, 3 and 3 mos. impt. ( cons.) for larceny. Liberated on second licence, 31- 3- 1924, to Morpeth. Pre. con. of larceny and minor offences at NEWCASTLE, GATESHEAD, | * BELFAST, GRANGEMOUTH, CARLISLE and on A. A troublesome thief, who has confined his working principally to the North. He frequently commits thefts from back yards and schools. ( i) Was arrested for being a deserter from the Army, when a mare, van and set of harness, which had recently been stolen, was found in his possession. ( ii) Took a bridle, etc., from a horse left unattended in the street. ( iii) Effected entry to a shop by breaking a pane of glass in a back window and unfastening the catch. ( iv) Stole a bicycle from outside a shop. The portrait is a good likeness. Specimen of handwriting at C. R. O. Method— In some cases he has disposed of the property to private individuals. Specimen of handwriting at C. R. O. Subsequently r 201. Lionel Stratford, aliases Sidney Stratford, Leonard Stratford, Lionel Cromer, G. H. Murray, Walter Sinclair, G. Greville, G. Meredith, G. H. Cooke, Charles B. Hanson, C. B. Ratcliffe and G. Lambert, C. R. O. No. 7183- 1916. Description : B. ( Chesham, Bucks.) 1900, 6ft., c. fresh, h. dk. brown, e. grey, scar 1. forearm and base of 1. thumb. Personal Weaknesses, Peculiarities, etc. : Very plausible ; smart appearance ; walks with his head forward. Sentenced at C. L. S., 20- 12- 1921, to 3 yrs. pen. for obtaining goods and money by false pre- tences. Liberated on licence, 25- 3- 1924, into the M. P. D. Pre. con. of larceny at WINDSOR, in CITY OF LONDON and on Y. Eleven cases of fraud and two of attempted fraud were taken into consideration when sentence was passed. Obtained possession of cheque books, which had been stolen from coats whilst hanging in public lavatories during the time the owner's were washing, and then victimised tradespeople by uttering worthless cheques. He alleged that he purchased the books, etc., from a man whom he casually met in the streets. Method— ( i) Called at a shop, ordered a quantity of goods, and for payment tendered a cheque signed in a fictitious name. Entered'a restaurant, and before ordering a meal induced a waiter to cash a cheque ( worthless). ( ii) Stole property from a barrow left on the platform of a railway station. ( iii) Engaged by a pantomime company, he took lodgings together with the manager and other members of the company, and at the first opportunity stole jewellery from bedrooms. ( iv) By giving false particulars he obtained employment, as a clerk, at a bank. Accompanied by a messenger he was entrusted to convey a large sum of money from one of the branches to the head office, where, on arrival, he was left alone for a few minutes, and absconded with the money. The portrait is a fairly good likeness. Specimen of handwriting at C. R. O. Subsequent histary.^^. Z^^ ^ Lfl.^ JS^. 202. Harry Golzey, aliases Harry Day, George Brown, Leonard Martin, Henri Martin, Harry Golding and Henry Golzey, C. R. O. No. 67- 1924. Description : B. ( London) 1881, 5ft. 8£ in., c. fresh, h. brown ( turning grey, thin top), e. brown, scar rt. cheek, flower and rose rt., woman's head 1. forearm. Personal Weaknesses, Peculiarities, etc. : Smart appearance ; speaks with a cockney accent. Sentenced at C. L. S., 6- 12- 1921, to 3 yrs. pen. for housebreaking and assault to prevent arrest. Liberated on licence, 7- 3- 1924, into the M. P. D. Pre. con. of larcenv and minor offences at COVENTRY, MANCHESTER, YORK, in CITY OF LONDON and on D, F, G and H. Has also been convicted in PARIS of larceny. A clever and troublesome criminal, who frequents race meeting for the purpose of picking pockets. ( i) In the evening effected entrance to a dwelling house by breaking the glass panel on the side of the door and releasing the catch. When detected, he made a violent effort to escape. ( ii) With Edward Leonard Oliffe, Case No. 214 ( Vol. IV.), and Albert McCall, C. R. O. No. 21351- 1918- was seen examining several doors, and when arrested was found to be in possession of a jemmy. ( iii) Stole a bicycle. Attempted to steal a watch from the person. The portrait is a good likeness. Method— Specimen of handwriting at C. R. O. Subsequent history 203. John Rush, aliases David Moffatt, John Goodwin Rush and Thomas Rush, C. R. O. No. 10629- 1918. Description : B. ( New Cumnock) 1896, 5ft. 6fin., c. fresh, h. and e. brown, birth mark rt. temple. Personal Weaknesses, Peculiarities, etc. : Strong Scottish accent. Sentenced at C. C. C., 29- 5- 1923, to 12 mos. impt. for obtaining money by false pretences. Liberated, 5- 5- 1924, into the M. P. D. Pre. con. of larceny, false pretences and minor offences at AYR, DUMFRIES, WIGTON, PENRITH, LONG EATON, WATFORD, DERBY, ST. HELENS and on D, E and P. Method— ( i) A persistent swindler, who, usually dressed in khaki uniform, called at houses, stated his mother was very ill and dying at some distant town, and obtained money under the pretext of paying his railway fare. On one occasion, after receiving the money, he borrowed an overcoat, which he later disposed of. In another instance he gave a similar name to the householder and claimed relation- ship. Wearing the uniform and badge of the Royal Scots Fusiliers, he was found, in a town, calling at houses and shops and enquiring whether they knew of any Scotch people, in some cases he made excuses to gain admittance to the house. ( ii) Stole money, etc., from a soldier who had fallen asleep in an Army hut. The portrait is a good likeness. Specimen of handwriting at C. R. O. Subsequent history..... Crrr./ dt. LQ.. lJ! j* Jl....( J....( rr..(..: 0 7 amC^ . A I C zl .. ill •^ frjfc/^, 204. Thomas Grey, alias Percy Charles Gregory, C. R. O. No. S/ 144336 ( for M. P. D., S. R. N. 243c). Description : B. ( Porlock) 1871, 5ft. 9in., c. dk., h. brown, e. hazel, scar rt. side of chin, fourth rt. and first 1. fingers. Personal Weaknesses, Peculiarities, etc. : Very plausible ; smart appearance ; frequently talks about a scheme he has discovered for making money through backing horses. Sentenced at Tiverton P. Sess., 10- 12- 1923, to 6 and 6 raos. ( conc.) for false pretences ( 2 cases). Liberated, 10- 5- 1924, to Exeter. Pre. con. of false pretences at BRAINTREE and on E. Method— ( i) Obtained the sum of £ 25 from an acquaintance by posing as an Australian and representing that he had property out there ; alleged he was in receipt of a pension from the Australian Army but there had been a delay in the forwarding of the draft. Engaged lodgings at a farmhouse, agreed to pay two guineas per week, stayed some considerable time and related the same plausible story. Seeing that the landlady was getting rather suspicious he borrowed from her £ 2 10s. under the pretext of paying his fare to London to enable him see his bankers and ascertain the reason for delay to the draft. Later he sent a letter stating he had cabled to Australia about the matter and hoped to forward a remittance the following week, which he failed to do. ( ii) Stayed at a hotel and when presented with his bill tendered a worthless cheque in payment, and received the change. ( iii) Whilst on board a ship he made the acquaintance of a fellow passenger, whom he induced to part with a cheque for £ 80 by falsely representing that he was on his way to claim a legacy in Chancery which amounted to some thousands of pounds and was to be divided between his brother and himself. ( iv) Called at a solicitor's office, introduced himself as a person having a reversionary interest under a certain will and stated he was desirous of securing a money advance by effecting a mortgage. An interview with a lawyer resulted and arrangements made for the inspection of the will at Somerset House. On the morrow he borrowed money for the purpose, as he said, of defraying his hotel expenses. The ensuing inspection of the will having disclosed the fact that the estate in question had been proved at some tens of thousands of pounds, in a considerable part of which his client's mother had a life interest, the solicitor undertook the business and was induced to disburse further sums as loans until the fraud in due course was exposed. ( v) Posing as a beneficiary under a relation's will and the owner of valuable property in Australia, he obtained money by means of worthless cheque. The portrait is a good likeness. Specimen of handwriting at C. R. O. The following persons who have already appeared in Supplement A have been re- convicted as follows— 205. Henry Magee, Case No. 43 ( Vol. I.), was sentenced as Joseph Carpenter, at Highgate P. Sess. ( L.), 23- 4- 1924, to 3 mos. impt. for being a suspected person. Duncan MacPherson, C. R. O. No. 16985- 1919, was convicted with him. 206. William Percy Brooks, Case No. 362 ( Vol. III.), was sentenced as George William Hutchings, at Bournemouth Sess., 28- 4- 1924, to 15 mos. impt. for larceny, ( i) Secured a post as porter at boarding houses and stole jewellery, etc., from staff bedrooms, ( ii) Obtained lodgings and then stole documents of character, etc., belonging to the occupier, afterwards using the name shown on them. Two outstanding warrants were taken into consideration when sentence was passed. Henry Thompson, Case No. 396 ( Vol. III.), was sentenced as Henry Jackson, at the Guildhall Pol. Ct. ( L.), 28- 4- 1924, to 3 mos. impt. for loitering for the purpose of picking pockets. William Gill, Case No. 430 ( Vol. V.), was convicted with him. 207. Robert Wilson, Case No. 44 ( Vol. IV.), was sentenced at Liverpool Sess., 23- 4- 1924, to 18 mos. impt. for false pretences. Obtained a cheque by calling at a cycle shop, representing that he wished to purchase a bicycle, but was short of change, asked for a blank cheque which he would get a friend to cash. Later he called at another shop, stated he was desirous of purchasing a bicycle for his grandson, chose one to the value of £ 8 and then made out the cheque which he had previously obtained, for £ 8 10s., and received the change. 208. Albert Rand, Case No. 261 ( Vol. V.), was sentenced as Arthur Albert Randall, at C. C. C., 30- 4- 1924, to 3 yrs. pen. and 7 yrs. p. d. for larceny, forgery, uttering forged cheque and being a h. c. ( i) Stole a suit- case from hotel where he was staying, ( ii) Forged and uttered cheques which had been stolen. Eight cases of larceny and five of forgery were taken into consideration when sentence was passed. Liberated on licence from previous sentence, 18- 12- 1923, into the M. P. D. William Gill, Case No. 430 ( Vol. V.), was sentenced at the Guildhall Pol. Ct. ( L.), 28- 4- 1924, to 3 mos. impt. for loitering for the purpose of picking pockets. Henry Thompson, Case No. 396 ( Vol. III.), was convicted with him. 209. Joseph Stafford, Case No. 84 ( Vol. VI.), was sentenced at Birmingham Sess., 5- 5- 1924, to 3 yrs. pen. for receiving. Frequented public- houses and received the proceeds of stolen property from housebreakers, later he disposed of it to other receivers. 210. Ernest Lay, Case No. 393 ( Vol. VI.), was sentenced as Ernest Charles Harvey, at Lichfield Pol. Ct., 25- 4- 1924, to 1 mo. impt., for false pretences. Canvassed a district with a receipt book purporting to represent the Victory Club Sweepstake and obtained money for tickets in the Great Northern Hurdle Race ( false). 211. James Sullivan, Case No. 218 ( Vol. VII.), was sentenced as John Cook, at C. C. C., 1- 5- 1924, to 5 yrs. pen., for burglary and robbery, ( i) With Alfred Marchant, C. R. O. No. 1221- 1907, effected entry to a dwelling house by pushing back the catch of scullery window, ( ii) Being disturbed by the occupier Sullivan held him by the wrist, demanded money, at the same time holding a table knife at his throat. 212. Henry Hodgson, Case No. 473 ( Vol. VIII.), was sentenced at Liverpool Sess., 24- 4- 1924, to 6 mos. impt for obtaining credit by fraud ( 2 cases). Entered commercial hotel and restaurant during lunch time, ordered food, and after consuming same waited his opportunity when the waitresses had left the room and then endeavoured to leave without paying. 213. Herman George Bower, Case No. 438 ( Vol. X.), was sentenced at Liverpool Pol. Ct., 22- 4- 1924, to 2 and 1 mo. impt. ( cons.), for larceny and being an alien failing to register in name of Marnigon Bozoian Called at a shop as a traveller for a confectionery firm and during the temporary absence of the shopkeeper stole an engagement ring from a shelf in a room situate at the rear of the shop. Frederick Jones, Case No. 86 ( Vol. XI.), at Conway Pol. Ct., 5- 5- 1924, had his licence forfeited for failing to report. LATEST INFORMATION John Smith, Case No. 3 ( Vol. I.), was liberated on licence, 10- 4- 1924, to Belper. ^ William Henry Hammersley Sedden, Case No. 17 ( Vol. I.), was liberated on licence, 10- 4- 1924, to Liverpool. William Hickman, Case No. 142 ( Vol. I.), was liberated, 30- 4- 1924, to Manchester George McDonald, Case No. 245 ( Vol. I.), was liberated, 10- 5- 1924, to Birmingham. William Seymour, Case No. 159 ( Vol. II.), was liberated, 12- 4- 1924, into the M. P. D. Intended address : 43, Devonshire Street, Theobalds Road, Holborn. William John Kendrick, Case No. 172 ( Vol. III.), was liberated, 10- 5- 1924, in to the M. P. D. James James, Case No. 184 ( Vol. III.), was liberated on licence, 2- 5- 1924, into the M. P. D. ^ Reginald Easterbrook, Case No. 224 ( Vol. IV.), was liberated on licence, 15- 5- 1924, to Torrington. John Wright, Case No. 305 ( Vol. IV.), was liberated on licence, 28- 3- 1924, to Birmingham. George Langford, Case No. 362 ( Vol. IV.), Mas liberated, 9- 5- 1924, into the M. P. D. William John Michael, Case No. 363 ( Vol. IV.), was liberated on licence, 11- 4- 1924, to Cardiff. ^ Charles Giblin, Case No. 86 ( Vol. V.), was liberated, 12- 4- 1924, to Birmingham. Harold Pickard, Case No. 127 ( Vol. V.), was liberated, 26- 4- 1924, to Abertewdwr. ^ John McCarthy, Case No. 260 ( Vol. V.), was liberated on licence, 10- 4- 1924, into the M. P. D. ^ John Doyal, Case No. 324 ( Vol. V.), was liberated, 3- 5- 1924, to Shepton Mallet. ^ Albert King, Case No. 423 ( Vol. V.), was liberated, 5- 5- 1924, into the M. P. D. Intended address : 27, Cambridge Street, Islington. ^ Albert Andrews, Case No. 276 ( Vol. VI.), was liberated, 10- 5- 1924, to Manchester. George Gandy, Case No. 361 ( Vol. VI.), was liberated on licence, 6- 5- 1924, into the M. P. D. George Morgan, Case No. 192 ( Vol. VII.), was liberated, 17- 4- 1924, into the M. P. D. Intended address : 9, Park Street, Limehouse. ^ Arthur Wallace, Case No. 217 ( Vol. VII.), was liberated, 5- 5- 1924, to Manchester. Sydney D. O'Brien, Case No. 353 ( Vol. VII.), was liberated on licence, 7- 5- 1924, to South Shields. Herbert Jenkins, Case No. 375 ( Vol. VIII.), was liberated, 3- 5- 1924, into the M. P. D. George William Flaxman, Case No. 448 ( Vol. IX.), was liberated, 10- 5- 1924, to Westcliff- on- Sea. John Walker, Case No. 479 ( Vol. IX.), was liberated, 10- 5- 1924, into the M. P. D. Intended address : 26, Walworth Road, S. E. Richard Parr, Case No. 123 ( Vol. XI.), died 29- 4- 1924. NOTE.— In the event of information being received of the DEATH of any criminal whose particulars have appeared in POLICE GAZETTE SUPPLEMENT A, the fact should be notified to C. R. O. As the latest information or subsequent conviction of criminals, whose particulars have been inserted in Supplement A, will appear in each issue at the end of the cases, the original numbers should be cross- referenced on the printed lines provided for that purpose. SPECIAL NOTICE. When any person whose portrait and description have appeared in Supplement A is again arrested for any offence, and on account of being locally known the finger prints are not sent to C. R. O. for the purpose of search, it is requested that particulars of such conviction be sent to Criminal Record Office as soon as possible in order that they may appear in an early issue of Supplement A for the information of all forces. 1' riuted and Published for His Majesty s Stationery Office by the Rec eiver lor the Metropolitan Policc D s net New Scotland Yard, London, S \ V. 8