CONFIDENTIAL SUPPLEMENT A RIGHT FOREFINGER PRINT UNLESS OTHERWISE STATED CONFIDENTIAL Supplement A THE POLICE GAZETTE No. 13. FRIDAY, JUNE 20, 1924. Vol. XI. EXPERT AND TRAVELLING CRIMINALS. 231. Ernest Wyndham Rainford, aliases Ernest Rainford, Edwin T. Cook and E. Wyndham Rainford, B. A., Mus. Bac., C. R. O. No. 2579- 1922. Description : B. ( Folkestone) 1897, 5ft. 7iin., c. fresh, h. It. brown, e. blue, scar rt. cheek and behind 1. ear. Personal Weaknesses, Peculiarities, etc. : Walks erect; very plausible ; well educated ; a good musician and organist; excessive cigarette smoker, which has caused his teeth to become discoloured. Sentenced at West London Pol. Ct., 14- 12- 1923, to 3 mos. impt. for false pretences. Liberated, 28- 2- 1924, into the M. P. D. Pre.' xion. of false pretences at WOKINGHAM. Has also been con- victed in CANADA of false pretences. Four outstanding cases committed in the M. P. D. were taken into consideration when sentence was passed. Rainford mentioned that there were probably about 20 other cases. A clever swindler, who usually calls upon clergymen, organists or persons interested in the Church, and after gaining their confidence, induces them to cash worthless cheques. In some cases he has represented that he was an organist or choir director at a certain parish church. Method ( i) Called upon a lady, stated that he had called in answer to an advertisement in the Church Times, and wished to engage her to look after his mother. He then falsely represented that he was the brother of the vicar of a certain suburb and that he resided at the vicarage. Later he obtained the sum of 30s. under the pretext that he had left his money at home and that he would repay the amount loaned later in the day. ( ii) Obtained a sum of money on a worthless cheque by calling upon a clergyman, stating he was staying at a hotel and had spent more money than he had intended to do, and that he was anxious to visit his mother, who was seriously ill in Devon. Rainford was accompanied to a local tradesman by the clergyman, and upon the latter's guarantee was given the money in exchange for the cheque. ( iii) Visited the local clergyman, asked permission to play the organ in the parish church, and eventually gave an organ recital after the service on Sunday. Subsequently he called upon a parishioner, whom he induced to advance £ 4 upon a worthless cheque. In another instance he persuaded a clergyman to cash a cheque ( worthless) as the local banks were closed and he wished to return to London. ( iv) Called upon an organist of a parish church, obtained permission to play the organ, and was allowed to play the concluding voluntary at the evening service, when he also sang two solos, subsequently he induced the organist to cash a worthless cheque. ( v) Arrived at a hotel during the evening, stated he was the organist from Southwark Cathedral, and on his way to a neighbouring town, but had missed the connection at a certain railway station. On the following morning he represented to the proprietress that he was short of ready money, and asked her to cash a cheque, which was done, and it was later returned marked No Account. The portrait is a fairly good likeness. Specimen of handwriting at C. R. O. Subsequent history 232 Frank Williams, aliases Francis William Britnell, Henry Smith, John Lucas, Frank Britnell, Fred Walters, Francis William Bricknell and ( as he is generally known) Birmingham Frank, C. R. O. No. 523- 1902 ( for M. P. D., S. R. N. 940). Description : B. ( Staffordshire) 1867, 5ft. 6in., c. fresh, h. dk. brown ( turning grey), e. grey, scar each thumb. Personal Weaknesses, Peculiarities, etc. : Walks quickly ; heavy drinker ; frequents race meetings ; speaks with a North Country accent. Sentenced at C. C. C., 30- 1- 1923, to 18 mos. impt. for larceny. Liberated, 30- 4- 1924, into the M. P. D. Pre. con. of fraud and larceny at WEST BROMWICH, ASTON, TIPTON and on B and E. Several offences of a similar nature committed at Bristol, Darlington, Huddersfield, Gloucester, Cheltenham, Swindon, Stroud, Nuneaton, Bridgnorth, in City of London, in M. P. D. and other parts of the country were taken into consideration when sentence was passed. Method - ( i) Having selected a district he divested himself of his jacket and cap, and sometimes wearing an apron and with a pen behind his ear, walked hurriedly into a shop, usually where a woman was in attendance, and where it was most likely that a quantity of change would be kept. Addressing the person serving behind the counter, he stated that he had been sent by a neighbouring tradesman to ask for some change, upon this being handed to him he promised to return immediately with the gold or notes equivalent to the amount of change given. Occasionally he asked for change for halfcrown, returning shortly with that coin, and later calling again asking for a larger amount. If he observed that his movements were being watched on leaving the establishments of certain of his victims, he crossed to those of the persons by whom the change was alleged to be wanted, and actually obtained a like amount by representing that he had been sent by the others. ( ii) Visited Labour Exchanges, introduced himself to an applicant as a person authorised to engage a reliable man for a firm, or that he was in a position to obtain for him a good situation with a certain firm at some distant town. After further conversation, he persuaded the victim to collect his clothes and meet him at the railway station or some other appointed place. Williams then obtained possession of the clothes and induced the person to part with a sum of money, which varied in amount, under the pretext that he would look after the clothes, and the money was required to pay for lodgings which had been arranged for in advance. He then sent the person defrauded on a fictitious errand, such as to look for the firm's lorry in a certain part of the town, or it has been known for him to purchase a railway ticket and advise the victim to travel by rail. At the first opportunity Williams • decamped with the clothing and money. The portrait is a fairly good likeness. Specimen of handwriting at C. R. O. Subsequent history 233. Kate Felix, aliases Catherine Felix, Kate Jones and Kitty Jones, C. R. O. No. 265- 1922. Description : B. ( London) 1886, 5ft. 4Ain., c. fresh, h. dk. brown, e. brown, scar side of rt. eye. Sentenced at Great Yarmouth Sess., 4- 10- 1920, to 3 yrs. pen. ( conc.), for larceny ( 4 cases). Subsequently sentenced at Richmond P. Sess. ( L), 11- 6- 1923, to 1 mo. impt., for larceny. Liberated on second licence, 14- 3- 1924, into the M. P. D. Pre. con. of larceny, receiving and minor offence in CITY OF LONDON, at NORWICH and on D, E and G. A member of a gang of clever and persistent shoplifters, who frequent provincial towns, returning to London with the stolen goods on the first opportunity available for safety. Method— ( i) Accompanied by confederates entered various shops of drapers and outfitters in the district, whilst one of the companions engaged the attention of the shop assistant Felix stole articles of wearing apparel. When arrested it was discovered that she was wearing a double underskirt with a shop- lifter's pocket. ( ii) In conjunction with a man and woman entered the show room of a draper's shop and asked to be shown some dresses. The woman confederate engaged the attention of the assistant in a fitting room whilst Felix opened a show case and stole goods, her movements being covered as far as possible by the male confederate. They were, however, seen by a fellow customer and later arrested. ( iii) On several occasions she has been charged, but discharged, for stealing from the person when accompanying a man in a cab supposed for an immoral purpose, or with confederates engaging a man in conversation in the streets. Attempted to pick the pockets of a drunken man whilst her movements were covered by confederates ; has also attempted to effect larcenies from the person whilst in an omnibus. Associates : Harry Reuben, C. R. O. No. 853- 1906, Joseph Felix, C. R. O. No. 120- 1921 ( her husband), Clara Reuben, C. R. O. No. 67- 1917 ( her sister), Nellie Smith, C. R. O. No. 19454- 1920, Cissie Coker, C. R. O. No. 7451- 1915, Ellen Chapman, C. R. O. No. S/ 105566 ( each of whom have been convicted with her), Arthur Jackson, C. R. O. No. 752- 1911 ( her brother- in- law, now in prison), Bertha Weiner, C. R. O. No. 1328- 1906 ( her mother) and Nellie Carter, C. R. O. No. A/ 1006. The portrait is a fairly good likeness. Specimen of handwriting at C. R. O. Subsequent history.. JfVfcxX Jftft- A. t IfajJL^' ) JAJAt 234. Margaret Mansfield, aliases Theodora Clifford, Margaret Woolf and Nellie Barker, C. R. O. No. 2087- 1922. Description : B. ( London) 1899, 5ft. 2in., c. fresh, h. brown, e. blue. \ Personal Weaknesses, Peculiarities, etc. : Very good address, heavy cigarette amoker. Sentenced at Bedford Ass., 2- 6- 1923, to 12 mos. impt., for stealing and attempting to steal £ 5. Liberated, 3- 4- 1924, into the M. P. D. Pre. con. of larceny on S. Several cases of a similar nature, committed in various parts of the country, were taken into consideration when sentence was passed. A clever swindler who, with confederates, travels to all parts of the country, victimising tradesmen by ringing the changes. Method- A confederate enters a shop, usually a draper's, makes a small purchase, tenders a £ 10 note and receives the change. Later during the day Mansfield enters the same shop makes a small purchase tenders a £ 5 note and receives the change. Suddenly she states that she has sufficient small change to settle the account and requests the return of the £ 5 note. She then asks the shop assistant or cashier for a £ 10 note, giving five £ 1 notes together with the £ 5 in exchange, and immediately leaves the shop. In some cases the conversation is slightly varied, as when asking for the return of the £ 5 note she offers to give five £ 1 notes, then immediately putting forward the whole asks the assistant or cashier to oblige by giving her a £ 10 note which would be much more convenient. In her earlier career she was assisted by her father Charles Harcourt, Case No. 307 ( Vol. X.) ( who has been convicted with her), later has been accompanied by a woman whose identity has not yet been established. The portrait is a good likeness. Specimen of handwriting at C. R. O. Subsequent history. 235. Abraham Lewis, aliases Jeremiah Abram, Majiniky, David Mackenzie and Abraham Moginige, C. R. O. No. 19491- 1919. Description : B. ( Cape Town) 1885, 5ft. 7in., c. man of colour, h. black, e. brown. Personal Weaknesses, Peculiarities, etc. : Slouching gait, stoops when walking, addicted to drink. Sentenced at Northampton Sess., 5- 10- 1923, to 6 mos. impt., for housebreaking. Liberated, 6- 3- 1924, to Bedford. Pre. con. of burglary, attempted shopbreaking, larceny, false pretences and minor offences at HAYWARDS HEATH and on H, K and S. Has also been convicted several times in South Africa of housebreaking, theft, etc. A persistent thief who associates with showmen, attending fairs, at the various fair grounds. Method— ( i) During the temporary absence of the occupier, on a Sunday evening, he gained access to a dwelling house by opening the front door which had been left unlocked. ( ii) Effected entry to a vicarage, during the night, by unfastening the catch of the study window. He had beeiv previously employed as a labourer on a farm adjoining the vicarage. ( i'i) WTith a confederate entered a coffee house and induced a person to cash a worthless seaman's advance note by representing that he was a seaman lawfully signed on a ship. ( iv) Entered a public house, ordered refreshments, and during the temporary absence of the barman stole a bottle of spirits from a shelf. ( v) Endeavoured to effect an entrance to a shop by forcing the street door with a jemmy. Disposes of stolen property to dealers. The portrait is a good likeness. Subsequent history. 236. John Hardy, alias John Jones, C. R. O. No. 143- 1908. Description : B. ( Manchester) 1890, 5ft. 3Ain., c. sallow, h. dk. brown, e. hazel, scar rt. side of head and temple, woman rt., shamrock, anchor, heart and J. E. 1. forearm. Personal Weaknesses, Peculiarities, etc. : Smart, well dressed, speaks slowly with a North Country accent, fond of the company of prostitutes. Sentenced at Stafford Ass., 18- 2- 1922, to 3 yrs. pen. for housebreaking. Liberated on licence 6- 6- 1924, to Cymmer. Pre. con. of larceny, housebreaking and minor offences at BIRMINGHAM, ALDERSHOT, PORT TALBOT, HANDSWORTH, LEEDS, ASTON, BRISTOL and PETER- BOROUGH. A persistent travelling housebreaker who is of a violent disposition. ( i) With confederates gained access to a dwellinghouse during the evening whilst the occupants were temporarily absent. On their return they found the front door bolted against them, and on going to the rear of the premises saw Hardy and one of the confederates jump from a bedroom window on to the lawn ; a struggle took place, the thieves eventually gaining their release. Shortly after- wards Hardy was found in an adjacent street and was arrested. Later a jemmy was found in an adjoining field through which the men had made their escape. ( ii) During the afternoon he effected entrance to a house, in a good class residential neighbourhood, by prising the kitchen window, at the side entrance, with a jemmy, during the temporary absence of the occupier, who, upon her return, found Hardy ransacking the drawers in her bedroom. He immediately struck her a violent blow on the side of the head, stunning her, and making his escape. He was, however, shortly afterwards found hiding in the lavatory of a first class compartment of a train, which was shortly leaving for- London, and when arrested a quantity of stolen jewellery was found in his possession. ( iii) Stole a gold guard and chain from the person. Method- Specimen of handwriting at C. R. O. Subsequent The following persons who have already appeared in Supplement A have been re- convicted as follows— 237. Frederick Francis Giles, Case No. 175 ( Vol. I.), was sentenced as James Welsh, at South Western Pol. Ct. ( L.), 12- 5- 1924, to 12 mos. impt. under the Prevention of Crimes Act. Found on enclosed premises. 238. Robert Parker, Case No. 178 ( Vol. I.), was sentenced as Charles Baker, at Manchester Sess., 26- 5- 1924. to 16 mos. impt. for obtaining goods by false pretences. Represented that he had called on behalf of a club to select a watch for a presentation ( false). Several articles of jewellery were given to him to choose from. Robert Wilson, Case No. 126 ( Vol. II.), was sentenced as Robert Randall Wilson, at Maryle- bone Pol. Ct. ( L.), 30- 5- 1924, to 5 weeks impt. for stealing money ( bailee). Harry Ford, Case No. 164 ( Vol. II.), was sentenced as Harry Bell, at Stoke Pol. Ct., 20- 5- 1924, to 3 mos. impt. for obtaining money by false pretences. Method as in original case. Five cases of false pretences at OLDHAM, DARLINGTON, MIDDLETON, ST. HELENS ( 2 cases) and one of larceny at ELLESMERE PORT were taken into consideration when sentence was passed. Liberated from previous sentence 16- 5- 1924. Frank Reeves, Case No. 315 ( Vol. III.), was sentenced at Bucks Ass., 30- 5- 1924, to 3 yrs. pen. for burglary ( 2 cases). Forced the catch of scullery window with a knife. George Davis, Case No. 188 ( Vol. IV.), was sentenced at Thames Pol. Ct. ( L.), 29- 5- 1924, to 3 mos. impt. for being found in a dwellinghouse with intent. Teddy Mosley, Case No. 218 ( Vol. IV.), was sentenced at Leeds Ass., 17- 3- 1924, to 5 yrs. pen. for obtaining credit by fraud ( 3 cases) and an offence under the Bankruptcy Act. Method as in original case. Charles Herman, Case No. 222 ( Vol. IV.). The term of 5 yrs. p. d. as shown in Case No. 440 ( Vol. X.), has been quashed by the Court of Criminal Appeal. 239. David John Edwards, Case No. 4 ( Vol. V.), was sentenced as Thomas Lewis, at Westminster Pol. Ct. ( L.), 22- 5- 1924, to 3 mos. impt. for attempting to obtain money by false pretences. Endeavoured to dispose of an inferior metal ring by representing it to be 18 carat gold. 240. Walter Herbert Lamb, Case No. 130 ( Vol. V.), was sentenced as Frederick White, at Newport ( Mon.) Pol. Ct., 4- 6- 1924, to 6 and 6 weeks impt. ( cons.) for obtaining money by false pretences ( 2 cases). Represented he was the principal of the A. B. C. Advertising Service and obtained money for the purpose of inserting advertisements in a new production which, he alleged, was shortly to be published. 241. James Allport, Case No. 58 ( Vol. VI.), was sentenced as James Surman, at C. C. C., 28- 5- 1924, to 3 yrs. pen. for conspiracy and obtaining goods by false pretences. Allport and Montague Froude, C. R. O. No. 13762- 1915, were directors of a bogus firm styled Kennedy, Bradford & Co., Ltd., and conspired with Hugh Hooper, C. R. O. No. 488- 1915, and Arthur Gardner, C. R. O. No. 14362- 1920, to induce reputable firms to supply goods on credit. The goods were supplied and not paid for. John Burns, Case No. 85 ( Vol. VI.), was sentenced at Manchester Ass., 12- 5- 1924, to 18 mos. impt. for shopbreaking and larceny. Broke the plate glass window of a lock- up shop with a stone and then stole binoculars. Henry Fear Case No. 424 ( Vol. VI.), was sentenced at Brentford P. Sess. ( L.), 6- 6- 192,4, to 12 mos. impt., under the Prevention of Crimes Act. Attempted to effect entry to a dwellingV house during the early morning. * William Merrill, Case No. 206,( Vol. VIII.), was sentenced as William Lee Merrill, at C. C. C. 22- 5- 1924 to 3 yrs. pen. and 5yrs. p. d. for burglary ( 2 cases), housebreaking and being a h. c. Effected entrance to houses by forcing catch of window on ground floor. A case of larceny at Birken- head was taken into consideration when sentence was passed. Diana Black, Case No. 252 ( Vol. VIII.), was sentenced at the Mansion House Pol. Ct. ( L.), 28- 5- 1924, to 6 and 6 mos. impt. ( conc.), for stealing from showrooms ( 2 cases). Peggy O'Neil, C. R. O. No. 3900- 1920, and Rachel Strong, C. R. O. No. 18483- 1920, were convicted with her. Herbert Jenkins, Case No. 375 ( Vol. VIII.), was sentenced at Berks Ass., 26- 5- 1924, to 21 mos. impt., for arson ( stack). 242. Arthur William Lucas, Case No. 6 ( Vol. IX.), was sentenced as George Howard, at Bournemouth P. Sess., 4- 6- 1924, to 3 mos. impt., for larceny. Secured lodgings at a commercial hotel, visited staff bedroom on another floor and stole purse and money. 243. Henry Herbert Lowe, Case No. 17 ( Vol. X.), was sentenced as Henry Lowe, at C. C. C., 26- 5- 1924, to 16 mos. impt., for fraudulent conversion ( 3 cases), ( i) Whilst acting as an agent received money on behalf of a client for the sale of a business, ( ii) Advertised for a manager, received deposits as security and absconded. Frederick William Wells, Case No. 149 ( Vol. XI.), was sentenced at Somerset Ass., 28- 5- 1924, to 12 mos. impt., for stealing a motor cycle. Was allowed to have possession of the cycle for a trial run but he faled to return. LATEST INFORMATION John Weston, Case No. 86 ( Vol. I.), was liberated, 15- 5- 1924, into the M. P. D. Intended address : 43, Noel Street, Islington. George Edwards, Case No. 71 ( Vol. II.), was liberated, 6- 6- 1924, to Gravesend. Richard McDonald, Case No. 190 ( Vol. II.), was liberated, 31- 5- 1924, into the M. P. D. William Ray, Case No. 155 ( Vol. III.), was liberated on licence, 28- 5- 1924, into the M. P. D. Ormond Braham, Case No. 295 ( Vol. III.), was liberated on licence, 30- 5- 1924, into the M. P. D. Charles Parsons. Case No. 53 ( Vol IV.), was liberated, 7- 6- 1924, into the M. P. D. Lew Smith, Case No. 246 ( Vol. IV.), was liberated, 8- 4- 1924, into the M. P. D. Intended address : 97, Livingstone Road, Stratford. Harry Marshall, Case No. 279 ( Vol. IV.), was liberated, 4- 6- 1924 to Birmingham. James William Bennett, Case No. 13 ( Vol. V.), was liberated on licence, 30- 5- 1924, into the M. P. D. Lily Mullins, Case No. 306 ( Vol. V.), was liberated, 31- 5- 1924, to Hull. Henry Williams, Case No. 12 ( Vol. VI.), was liberated, 5- 6- 1924, into the M. P. D. Intended address : 16, Bangor Street, Nottmg Dale. William Wood, Case No. 373 ( Vol. VI.), was liberated on licence, 16- 5- 1924, into the M. P. D. William Evans, Case No. 4 ( Vol. VIII.), was liberated on licence, 27- 5- 1924, into the M. P. D. Charlie Mitchell, Case No. 45 ( Vol. IX.), was liberated, 5- 6- 1924, to Birmingham. James Briggs, Case No. 6 ( Vol. X.), was liberated, 4- 6- 1924, into the M. P. D. 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. Printod anil Publliheil for His Majesty s Stationery Office by the Receiver for the Metropolitan Police District New Scotland Tard, London, S W. 1.