CONFIDENTIAL SUPPLEMENT A No. 17. FRIDAY, AUGUST 15, 1924 Vol. XI. RIGHT FOREFINGER PRINT UNLESS OTHERWISE STATED CONFIDENTIAL Supplement A THE POLICE GAZETTE No. 17. FRIDAY, AUGUST 15, 1924. Vol. XI. EXPERT AND TRAVELLING CRIMINALS. 312. Charles Thorogood, aliases Richard Thurgood, Christopher Crompton, Alfred George Brown and Charles Daniel Thorogood, C. R. O. No. 3368- 1901. — • Description : B. ( London) 1873, 5ft. 8fin., c. fresh, h. grgjt- fs^ metimes dyed brown, bald top), e. hazel, scar centre of forehead and under 1. side ofia^ rfnorseshoe, whip, cap, Good Luck, etc., rt., shield, scroll, bust of woman, etc., 1. forearm^, Personal Weaknesses, Pecu ties, etc. : Smart appearance. Sentenced 10- 1- 1922, to 3 yrs. pen. ( conc.) and 2 yrs. pol. supn. for warehouse- breaking aiyi- rCceiving. Liberated on licence, 9- 5- 1924, into the M. P. D. Pre. con. of larceny, warehouffebreaking, housebreaking, wounding and a minor offence on N, S and Y. Method- hoijgebreaking, an ware! ( i) With confederates effected entrance to a warehouse by forcing padlock and rempvmg the hinges from the door. A horse and van was used to remove the property stolen. AAflhe time of arrest the proceeds of another case of warehousebreaking was traced to his ptjse « gsion. ( ii) Stole a watch, etc., from a drunken person. Stole a watch fjtHifthe person by snatching. ( iii) Gained access to a dwelling house by climbing a watefpipe and forcing the catch of bathroom window. On another occasion he gained access byHBreaking glass panel in front door and releasing the. catch. Disposed of property to brokers and dealers. Associates : Alfred Ingram, Case No. 96 ( Vol. IV.) ; Arthur Malyon, Case No. 215 ( Vol. VII.); John Barnett, OJWT No. 1275- 1904 ; Henry Camp, C. R. O. No. 1549- 1908 ( each of whom has been convicted witKnim) ; and John Cotter, C. R. O. No. 1885- 1904. The portrait is a fairly good likeness. Specimen of handwriting at C. R. O. Sutaequent hirfory. C " ° * ^ .5 - / / U I J- Yd ttfo 313. George Henry Taylor, aliases George Frederick Scovell, Ernest H. Smith, Herbert Leslie Harrison, Leslie Harrison, George H. Taylor, Henry A. Smith, G. H. Smith, J. C. Smith, Francis A. Smith, Charles W. Smith, Edward H. Smith and Henry Morgan, C. R. O. No. S/ 76020. Description : B. ( Fareham) 1868, 5ft. 4in., c. sallow, h. and e. grey, scar each side of chin. Personal Weaknesses, Peculiarities, etc. : Well spoken ; walks quickly. Sentenced at Jedburgh Sheriff S. Court, 10- 4- 1924, to 4 mos. impt. for false pretences. Liberated, 21- 7- 1924, into the M. P. D. Pre. con. of fraud at LIVERPOOL and on J and X. A begging letter imposter, who has systematically victimised clergymen in various parts of the country. For some considerable time this man has victimised and defrauded clergymen in all parts of the country, usually some distant place from address of operation, by writing plausible letters in the strain that he was momentarily in financial difficulties and asking for loans to tide him over, the amounts requested varied. Acquaintanceship was claimed by representing that he resided in the locality during a certain period whilst employed as assistant excise officer, and that he was an old member of the congregation. The present address had been kindly given to him by officers of the Clergy List Office. In support of his story and to inspire confidence he mentioned the names of Curates and respected persons of the parish during the period quoted. His story goes on to relate that on leaving the district he was transferred to Scotland, thence to Ireland, and subsequently on special war service work to London, where he lives in furnished apartments. Whilst in Scotland he married, but his wife suffered ill- health and died ; he married again, but for some time the whole of his family had been in very bad health. He has recently stated that whilst in Ireland he resigned his post owing to continued ill- health and went to Canada, returned during the war, but was rejected as physically unfit for active service and was eventually given a civilian clerkship for war service work, which post he held until 1922, when the branch was finally wound up. Alleged he had been unable to pay his rent owing to heavy medical expenses, had been threatened with eviction unless the money was forthcoming, and had been advised by a solicitor that his case was outside the scope and benefits of the Rents Act. As an alternative he has stated that a berth had been obtained at a distant town, but the post could not be taken up unless the railway fare was forth- coming. Latterly he adopted the practice of enclosing a postal telegraphic money order form with all particulars filled in except that of the amount; this method proved rather successful. He used accommodation addresses or post offices for the receipt of letters or telegrams. The farmer are usually tobacconists or newsagents, where, after making small purchases, confidence was gained, and the shopkeepers persuaded to receive on his behalf any letters, etc., which may be addressed there. i The portrait is a good likeness. Specimen of handwriting at C. R. O. Subsequent history. 314.— Michael Casey, alias Michael Hughes, C. R. O. No. 111- 1918. Description : B. ( Carnarvon) 1895, 5ft. 8£ in., c. fair, h. and e. brown, scar rt. side of chin and 1. wrist, clasped hands, heart and bird rt., flag 1. forearm. Sentenced at Middlesex Sess., 25- 9- 1920 ( to date from 28- 7- 1920), to 3 yrs. pen. ( conc.) for garagebreaking ( 2 cases). Subsequently sentenced at Liverpool Sess., 5- 4- 1923, to 12 mos. impt. for cyclestealing. Liberated on second licence, 1- 8- 1924, to Carnarvon. Pre. con. of larceny, false pretences, attempted false pretences, cyclestealing, and a subsequent conviction of a minor offence at CARNARVON, LIVERPOOL, MANCHESTER and CREWE. Two cases of cycle- stealing at Birkenhead and Preston were taken into consideration when sentence was passed. A troublesome thief who has stolen numerous bicycles in all parts of the country. Method— ( i) With confederates effected entry to two garages by forcing the padlocks and stealing three bicycles, etc. ( ii) Stole a silver watch, etc., from his lodgings. ( iii) Has stolen bicycles from a railway station, billiard hall, public baths, etc. ( iv) After signing on a ship he negotiated his advance note and then deserted the vessel. Disposed of the property to dealers. Associate : James Marshall, Case No. 409 ( Vol. X.), ( who has been convicted with him). r The portrait is a good likeness. Specimen of handwriting at C. R. O. Subsequent history. 315.— Thomas White, alias Ernest Gerwig, C. R. O. No. 4822- 1918. Description : B. ( London) 1901, 5ft. 4in., c. sallow, h. dk. brown, e. brown, scar back of rt. hand, burn scar and bird 1. forearm. Sentenced at Cardiff Ass., 6- 3- 1922, to 3 yrs. pen. for housebreaking ( 3 cases). Liberated on licence, 5- 6- 1924, into the M. P. D. Pre. con. of burglary, shopbreaking and a minor offence at LAWFORDS GATE and on E and G. A persistent and troublesome criminal who has been responsible for many cases of house- . breaking. Method— ( i) Selected houses, situated in a good class suburban district, which were not overlooked by others and in which the front door had glass panels. During the evening he called and after ascertaining, by knocking, that no person was on the premises, effected entrance by smashing one of the panels with his elbow and releasing the bolts, etc. Immediately after gaining admission he fastened the door by means of a bolt or iron wedge, the latter he frequently carried for the purpose, he then opened the back door for easy exit in case of emergency and subsequently proceeded to the bedrooms which ho ransacked for money and jewellery, using a small jemmy to force locked drawers and cases. Ho was usually accompanied by a woman who remained outside whilst he committed the offences. ( ii) With confederate gained access to a lock- up shop, during the night, by forcing the padlock and door with a jemmy and then rifling the till. Tho stolen jewellery was immediately despatched by registered post, after each offence, to a receiver in London through the medium of an accomplice. Associates : Wilhelm Gerwig, C. R. O. No. 16003- 1914 ( now in prison), and William Joseph Looney, C. R. O. No. 5397- 1922 ( who have been convicted with him). The portrait is a good likeness. Specimen of handwriting at C. R. O. Subsequent history.. Ml... \ 316. Rosie Elliott, aliases Rhoda Elliott, Rhodie Elliot, Rosie Moore, Mary Dunkerley, Rosey Moore, Mary Mackie, Kathleen Elliott and Harris, C. R. O. No. 23481- 1921. Description : B. ( Ireland) 1896, 5ft. 4Jin., c. sallow, h. dk. brown, e. brown. Personal Weaknesses, Peculiarities, etc. : Very plausible, usually well dressed, addicted to drink. Sentenced at Halifax P. Sess., 19- 5- 1924, to 3 and 1 mos. impt. ( confc.) for false pretences and larceny. Liberated, 4- 8- 1924, into the M. P. D. Pre. con. of attempted false pretences, false pretences and larceny at HALIFAX, INVERNESS, WITHAM, WAKEFIELD ( City) and BEVERLEY. Of the gipsy class and a member of a gang of troublesome offenders who travel the country, at times by caravan at others by motor van, hawking goods and persistently victimising tradesmen whilst passing through the various towns. On each occasion she has been accompanied by Ada Elliott, Case No. 317 ( Vol. XI.). Method— See Case No. 317 ( Vol. XI.). Associates : Clara Squires, Case No. 391 ( Vol. VIII.), and Ada Elliott, Case No. 317 ( Vol. XI.) ( who have have been convicted with her), Jane Bennett, Case No. 367 ( Vol. IX.) and Florence Smith, Case No. 311 ( Vol. X.). Speciman of handwriting at C. R. O. Subsequent history. 317. Ada Elliott, alias Ada More, Ada Watson, Kathleen Mackie, Mary Elliott and Harris, C. R. O. No. 23483- 1921. Description : B. ( Ireland) 1898, 4ft. llin., c. sallow, h. dk. brown, e. brown. Personal Weaknesses, Peculiarities, etc. : Very plausible, usually well dressed. Sentenced at Halifax P. Sess., 19- 5- 1924, to 3 mos. impt., for false pretences. Liberated, 4- 8- 1924, into the M. P. D. Pre. con. of attempted false pretences, false pretences and larceny at HALIFAX, INVERNESS, WITHAM, WAKEFIELD ( City) and BEVERLEY. A member of a clever and troublesome company of gipsies who tour the country by caravan or motor car hawking goods and victimising tradesmen at every opportunity. On each occasion she has been accompanied by Rosie Elliott, Case No. 316 ( Vol. XI.). Method— ( i) Visited a hotel, stated to the proprietor they had arrived in the town to stay at the fair ground ( false), ordered a large quantity of beer, spirits and cigars, then, having partly gained confidence, produced two rugs which they represented were valuable, that one was a real seal skin, and endeavoured to induce the proprietor to purchase them; but, before the transaction could be completed, it was discovered they were goat skins and the price asked was far above the true value. ( ii) Arrived in a town by motor car and engaged lodgings under the pretext that they were opening a show in the locality. Secured lodgings by stating they belonged to Sanger's Circus, which was visiting the town, and that their motor car had been garaged locally. Obtained board and lodgings by falsely representing that they had been recommended to the house by a police constable. Called late at night and secured lodgings by stating they had travelled from London by motor car, which was at a local garage, in the hope of disposing of skin rugs in the market. In each instance they left without settling their account. In the latter case Rosie Elliott absconded with a pair of boots which she had borrowed whilst her own were being repaired. ( iii) Called at an inn, represented to the keeper they were part of a company of thirty- six who were coming into the locality with swing boats, etc., which were to be repainted and repaired during their halt which would probably last about six weeks. They then endeavoured to obtain goods to the value of £ 12 and induce the landlord to purchase inferior rugs but were unsuccessful. On another occasion they persuaded the wife of the landlord, during the absence of the latter, to part with goods by representing they were part of a consignment which had been ordered from the landlord and paid for. ( iv) Stole the sum of 3s. under the following circumstances. Rosie Elliott entered a public house, ordered a bottle of whiskey, tendered a £ 1 note and received 3s. change, subsequently Ada Elliott entered, stated sho would pay and asked for the return of the £ 1 to the former which was done. After much argument the former refused to refund the 3s. given as change and left the premises. ( v) Visited a public house, consumed a quantity of liquor, stated their round- a- bouts were visiting the town and that they were giving the men a dinner. Subsequently each of them gave an order, but later one of them was cancelled. In the confusion of the return of the money they obtained from the landlady the sum of 4s. lid. by ringing the changes and when asked for the return of same absconded. Associates : Clara Squires, xCase No. 391 ( Vol. VIII.) and Rosie Elliott, Case No. 316 ( Vol. XI.) ( who have been convicted with her), Jane Bennett, Case No. 367 ( Vol. IX.) and Florence Smith, Case No. 311 ( Vol. X.). Specimen of handwriting at C. R. O. Subsequent history .^..^.. x/ x C. AfaV. XX/?....?.. The following persons who have already appeared in Supplement A have been re- convicted as follows— Richard Johnson, Case No. 66 ( Vol. I.), was sentenced as George Yeates, at Kingston P. Sess. ( L.), 26- 7- 1924, to 3 mos. impt., for larceny— trick ( welshing). John Day, Case No. 92 ( Vol. I.), was sentenced as John Smith, at Kingston ( Co.) P. Sess.,. 24- 7- 1924, to 2 mos. impt., for larceny— trick ( welshing). 318.— William Ray, Case No. 155 ( Vol. III.), was sentenced at C. L. S., 24- 7- 1924, to 18 mos. impt., for shopbreaking and possessing housebreaking implements by night. Effected entrance by breaking glass panel in door at rear of shop. 319.— Francis Turner, Case No. 47 ( Vol. IV.), was sentenced at Exeter Pol. Ct., 28- 7- 1924, to 6 mos. impt. and fined £ 5 or 1 mo. impt. ( conc.), for obtaining money by false pretences and making false answers to Registrar of Deaths. Obtained money by falsely representing that he was destitute and required to proceed to London to make arrangenents for his wife's funeral. Thomas Davies, Case No. 92 ( Vol. IV.), was sentenced at Carmarthen Sess., 4- 7- 1924, to- 6 mos. impt., for false pretences— bogus concert ( 3 cases). 320.— William Hastie, Case No. 248 ( Vol. IV.), was sentenced as William Liddle Hastie, at Edinburgh) Sheriff Ct. ( Sec. 31), 15- 7- 1924, to 18 mos. impt., for stealing horse, lorry, harness, etc. 321.— James Shepherd, Case No. 21 ( Vol. V.), was sentenced as John Wilson, at Guildhall Pol. Ct. ( L.), 29- 7- 1924, to 6 mos. impt., stealing a wallet, etc., from the person. 322.— John Douglas, Case No. 303 ( Vol. V.), was sentenced as John Williams, at C. C. C., 14- 5- 1924, to 4 yrs. pen. and 6 yrs. p. d., for conspiracy, larceny, forging and uttering, attempted fraud and being a h. c. With confederates, stole letter, from private letter box, containing a cheque which was sub- sequently forged and an endeavour made to negotiate same. Charles Nunn, Case No. 457 ( Vol. VI.) ; William Taylor, C. R. O. No. 4717- 1916 ; and John Frederick Johnson, C. R. O. No. 20434- 1918, were convicted, and Albert Armstrong, Case No. 449 ( Vol. X.), concerned with him. 323. Charles Nunn, Case No. 457 ( Vol. VI.), was sentenced as William Charles Nunn, at C. C. C., 14- 5- 1924, to 3 yrs. pen. for conspiracy, larceny, forging and uttering and attempted fraud. With confederates, stole letter, from private letter box, containing cheque which was subsequently forged and an endeavour made to negotiate same. John Douglas, Case No. 303 ( Vol. V.) ; William Taylor, C. R. O. No. 4717- 1916 ; and John Frederick Johnson, C. R. O. No. 20434- 1918, were convicted, and Albert Armstrong, Case No. 449 ( Vol. X.), concerned with him. 324. Maud Harrison, Case No. 495 ( Vol. VI.), was sentenced at Portsmouth Sess., 10- 7- 1924, to 3 yrs. pen. for larceny ( 2 cases) and cyclestealing. Method as in ( ii) original case. William Seymour, Case No. 224 ( Vol. VIII.), was sentenced as William Cavanagh, at Lambeth Pol. Ct. ( L.), 30- 7- 1924, to 14, 24 and 28 days impt. ( cons.) for drunkenness and obscene language John Williams, Case No. 269 ( Vol. VIII.). Place of re conviction in Case No. 308 ( Vol. XI.), should read Buxton Pol. Ct. 325. Louisa Stewart, Case No. 370 ( Vol. IX.), was sentenced as Louisa Young, at Southampton Pol. Ct., 14- 7- 1924, to 3, 3, 3 and 3 mos. impt. ( cons.), for obtaining charitable contributions by fraud ( 3 cases) and larceny, ( i) Collected money by representing that it was required to support children whilst a person was in hospital undergoing an operation, ( ii) As in ( i and ii) original case. Two cases of larceny on J and one on H were taken into consideration when sentence was passed. 320. Walter James Trapp, Case No. 480 ( Vol. IX.), was sentenced as Albert Harrison, at C. C. C., 14- 7- 1924 to 18 mos. impt., for false pretences, larceny, and forging and uttering, ( i) Method as in ( i) original case, ( ii) Whilst making one of his calls he stole five cheques, subsequently filled in particulars on one and cashed it at a dairy for £ 7. Twenty- three outstanding cases at Sunningdale, Hove, Westerham, Leigh- on- Sea, Worthing Littlehampton and in the M. P. D. were taken into consideration when sentence was passed. 327. John James Haslam, Case No. 115 ( Vol. X.), was sentenced at Manchester Sess., 23- 7- 1924, to 9 mos. impt., for obtaining money and food by false pretences. Stated he was employed as an engineer in Manchester, had won the V. C., and had been recommended by a cousin of loser. 328. Albert Armstrong, Case No. 449 ( Vol. X.), was sentenced at C. C. C., 23- 7- 1924, to 3£ yrs. pen. ( cons, with sentence shown in Case No. 227 ( Vol. XI.), for conspiracy, larceny, forging and uttering, and attempted fraud. With confederates, stole letter, from private letter box, containing cheque which was subsequently forged and an endeavour made to negotiate same. John Douglas, Case No. 303 ( Vol. V.), Charles Nunn, Case No. 457 ( Vol. VI.), William Taylor, C. R. O. No. 4717- 1916 and John Frederick Johnson, C. R. O. No. 20434- 1918, were concerned with him. 329. James Edward Bootman, Case No. 124 ( Vol. XI.), was sentenced at Middlesex Sess., 30- 7- 1924, to 24 mos. impt. for shopbreaking. Effected entrance by breaking glass panel in door at the rear of premises and removing iron bar. Frederick James Hall, C. R. O. No. 18236- 1916, was convicted with him. Fred Johnson, Case No. 160 ( Vol. XI.), was sentenced at Scarborough P. Sess., 28- 7- 1924„ to 9 mos. impt. under the Prevention of Crimes Act. Engaged a man's attention in a lavatory of a hotel whilst confederate stole wallet, etc., from the pocket of his jacket, which was hanging on. a peg. LATEST INFORMATION. George Harold McKenzie, Case No. 57 ( Vol. I.), was liberated on licence, 25- 7- 1924, into the M. P. D. Harry Granville, Case No. 201 ( Vol. I.), was liberated, 6- 8- 1924, to Bolton. Harry Ford, Case No. 164 ( Vol. II.), was liberated, 5- 8- 1924, to Manchester. Fred Sullivan, Case No. 174 ( Vol. III.), was liberated, 24- 7- 1924, into the M. P. D. Joseph Whymark, Case No. 251 ( Vol. III.), was liberated, 28- 7- 1924, into the M. P. D. In- tended address : 108, High Road, Lee. Maggie Roberts, Case No. 306 ( Vol. III.), was liberated on licence, 5- 8- 1924, to Liverpool. William Cook, Case No. 336 ( Vol. IV.), was liberated, 23- 7- 1924, into the M. P. D. Percy Norman Jones, Case No. 374 ( Vol. IV.), was liberated, 9- 8- 1924, to Portsmouth. Alexander Houston, Case No. 387 ( Vol. IV.), was liberated, 2- 8- 1924, to Ipswich. George Ludbrook Evans, Case No. 135 ( Vol. V.); was liberated on licence, 24- 7- 1924, to Manchester. James Ludford, Case No. 171 ( Vol. V.), was liberated, 5- 8- 1924, to Gateshead. John Smith, Case No. 207 ( Vol. V.), was liberated, 5- 8- 1924, into the M. P. D. Intended address : 49, Cartwright Gardens, Euston Road. Samuel Charity, Case No. 362 ( Vol. V.), was liberated on licence, 7- 8- 1924, to Stafford. William Gill, Case No. 430 ( Vol. V.), was liberated, 26- 7- 1924, into the M. P. D. Intended address : 10, Emma Street, Hackney Road. Arthur Fuller, Case No. 158 ( Vol. VI.), was liberated, 18- 7- 1924, to Southampton. Henry Willis, Case No. 271 ( Vol. VI.), was liberated, 30- 7- 1924, to Durham. William Wakefield, Case No. 328 ( Vol. VI.), was liberated on licence, 25- 7- 1924, into the M. P. D. Arthur Felton Dean, Case No. 515 ( Vol. VI.), was liberated, 2- 8- 1924, to Bromham, Wilts. Cyril Frederick Wardle, Case No. 179 ( Vol. VII.), was liberated, 26- 7- 1924, into the M. P. D. James Fawcett, Case No. 490 ( Vol. VIII.), was liberated, 1- 8- 1924, to Leeds. Joseph Wilson, Case No. 105 ( Vol. IX.), was liberated, 6- 8- 1924, to Rochdale. Ethel Dean, Case No. 409 ( Vol. IX.), was liberated, 24- 7- 1924, to Leeds. James Taylor, Case No. 478 ( Vol. IX.), was liberated, 2- 8- i924, to Leeds. Jacobus de Villiers, Case No. 116 ( Vol. X.), was liberated, 2- 8- 1924, to Exeter. Jean Florence Sinclair, Case No. 360 ( Vol. X.), was liberated, 4- 8- 1924, into the M. P. D. Ella Mavis Cookson Gardner, Case No. 22 ( Vol. XI.), was liberated, 30- 7- 1924, to Blackpool. Harold Loughans, Case No. 36 ( Vol. XI.), was liberated, 30- 7- 1924, to Rowley Hill, Hudders field. NOTE.— In the event of information being received of the DEATH of any criminal whose particular* 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. Printed and Published for His Majesty's Stationery Office by the Receiver for the Metropolitan Police District, New Scotland Yard, London, S. W. 1.