CONFIDENTIAL SUPPLEMENT A No. 18 FRIDAY, AUGUST 29, 1924 Vol. XI. RIGHT FOREFINGER PRINT UNLESS OTHERWISE STATED. 344. Harold Seymour, Case No. 140 ( Vol. X.), was sentenced as Basil Barrington, at Bow Street Pol. Ct. ( L.), 5- 8- 1924, to 6 mos. impt., for larceny. Entered the private part of a hotel and stole an overcoat. Liberated from previous sentence, 28- 5- 1924. 345. Charles Bolton, Case No. 21 ( Vol. XI.), was sentenced as Charles Hughes, at Walmer Cinque Ports P. Sess., 5- 8- 1924, to 6 mos. impt., for being found on enclosed premises. Louis Lebovitch, Case No. 218 ( Vol. XI.), was sentenced at Wallasey Pol. Ct., 11- 8- 1924, to 12 mos. impt., under the Prevention of Crimes Act— loitering with intent. Michael Angel Isaacs, C. R. O. No. 13165- 1924, was convicted with him. CONFIDENTIAL Supplement A THE POLICE GAZETTE No 18 FRIDAY. AUGUST 29, 1924. Vol. XI. EXPERT AND TRAVELLING CRIMINALS. 330. James Dalton, alias William Faulkner, C. R. O. No. 5217- 1914. Description : B. ( London) 1886, 5ft. 10in., c. fresh, h. and e. brown, scar rt. cheek, ship, crossed flags, dagger and sailor rt., bird, crossed flags and shield 1. forearm. Sentenced at C. L. S., 4- 4- 1922, to 3 yrs. pen. for larceny, receiving and conspiracy. Liberated on licence, 4- 7- 1924, into the M. P. D. Pre. con. of motor cyclestealing, larceny and a minor offence at SOUTHEND, WATFORD and on P. A persistent and - troublesome motor car thief. When arrested thirty- six stolen cars with which he had had dealings were recovered. Method— ( i) With confederates effected entrance to garages by forcing the door or padlock and stealing motor cars, etc., which were immediately altered by obliterating the engine or other numbers with the use of an emery wheel, stamping new numbers and substituting other index plates. Occasionally cars were stolen whilst left temporarily unattended in the street. They were despatched, as soon as possible, to a Provincial town where an accomplice disposed of them in the altered condition in the surrounding and other districts. ( ii). Stole motor tyres from a yard. Stole a Ford motor van left temporarily unattended whilst the driver was delivering goods. Associates : Nathaniel Robert Wood, C. R. O. No. 2338- 1922, Frederick Harris, C. R. O. No. 10295- 1922, Herbert Euling, C. R. O. No. S/ 131987, and Henry Pine, C. R. O. No. S/ 148707 ( each of whom has been convicted with him). The portrait is a good likeness. Specimen of handwriting at C. R. O. ± Subsequent history* 331. John Henry Vincent Knight, aliases Henry Knight, Henry Herbert Treves, Edward George Rivers, George Henry Rivers Knight, William Henry Reeves, George Rivers and George Henry Knight Rivers, C. R. O. No. 1860- 1903. • Description : B. ( Sedgeley) 1870, 5ft. 6in., c. fresh, h. brown, e. blue, scar on nose and rt. wrist. Personal Weaknesses, Peculiarities, etc. : Plausible, well spoken, face twitches when talking, addicted to drink, inveterate cigarette smoker. Sentenced at Warrington Pol. Ct., 11- 8- 1923, to 4, 4 and 4 mos. ( cons.) for false pretences ( 3 cases). Liberated, 11- 6- 1924, to Wigan. Pre. con. of larceny, false pretences and minor offences at WOLVERHAMPTON, BILSTON, LINCOLN, CREWE, NUNEATON, NEWPORT ( MON), PONTYPRIDD and GLOUCESTER. Thirty- seven outstanding cases were taken into consideration when sentence was passed. A persistent and troublesome criminal, who systematically victimised persons by inducing them to pay premiums on an alleged insurance scheme. Method ( i) Wrote frequently from a Midland or Northern address to well known insurance companies, whose head office was situated in London, offering himself as an agent for a certain district. In some instances an agreement was arrived at, usually one on a commission basis with a proviso that he should not collect any money but forward details of any proposed insurance to head office and his commission would be forwarded in due course. Official note books and forms for the purpose were provided and forwarded to him. Being in possession of these official papers, he called upon tradesmen, farmers and others, and subsequently persuaded many of them to insure their goods, live stock, etc., taking the particulars of same on the official proposal form and alleging the policy and further details would be forwarded from head office in due course. The terms of his appointment were then exceeded as he inducedxthe persons to pay the first premium for which he gave a fictitious receipt, frequently signed in a name other than which the appointment was made. Later numerous complaints, as to the failure of forwarding any further information, reached the companies, often from a district outside the jurisdiction of his appointment. When letters were forwarded, cancelling the agency, they failed to reach him, as, in the meantime he had changed his address and absconded with the monies received. Still being in possession of the various companies official forms, etc., he was able to inspire confidence and carry on his fraudulent practices. For a number of years he has been accompanied by a woman. His address was usually changed late at night without leaving the slightest trace as to his movements. ( ii) Stole a coat from a club. Specimen of handwriting at C. R. O. Subsequent history. The following persons who have already appeared in Supplement A have been re- convicted as follows— Albert Sheppard, Case No. 335 ( Vol. III.), was sentenced as Albert Keys, at Penge P. Sess. ( L.), 15- 8- 1924, to 1 mo's. impt. for being a suspected person. 336. Henry Williamson, Case No. 405 ( Vol. III.), was sentenced as Frederick Blackstone, at Birmingham Ass., 16- 7- 1924, to 7 yrs. pen. for forging and uttering a money order. Method as in ( i) original case. Forty- five outstanding cases were taken into consideration when sentence was passed. 337. Robert Humphreys, Case No. 340 ( Vol. IV.), was sentenced as Robert Charles Humphreys, at Car- marthen Sess., 15- 7- 1924, to 6 mos. impt. for stealing a calf from an auction market and subsequently disposing of it to a butcher. Henry Forbes, Case No. 208 ( Vol. V.), was sentenced as Percy Clifford, at C. L. S., 9- 7- 1924, to 6 mos. impt. for stealing a quantity of jewellery from a bedroom at a hotel. 338. Thomas Mitchell, Case No. 289 ( Vol. V.), was sentenced at Sheffield P. Sess., 29- 7- 1924, to 3 mos. impt. for larceny. Whilst residing at a temperance hotel, during the night visited the bedroom of another resident and stole money, etc. 339. Henry Chamberlain, Case No. 284 ( Vol. VI.), was sentenced as Henry James Antrobus, at Stockton Heath Pol. Ct., 12- 8- 1924, to 3 mos. impt. and licence ordered to be forfeited for false pretences and being a convict on licence getting his livelihood by dishonest means. Obtained food by stating he had arrived in the district on behalf of a firm of solicitors and would probably be remaining for a fortnight. A case of false pretences at Salford was taken into consideration when sentence was passed. 340. James Beachcroft, Case No. 480 ( Vol. VI.), was sentenced as Reuben Bearcroft, at Southampton Pol. Ct., 30- 7- 1924, to 14 days impt. for larceny. Obtained employment in a dwelling house and stole table knives. 341. Leila May Barnes, Case No. 481 ( Vol. VI.), was sentenced as May Barnes, at C. L. S., 24- 7- 1924, to 15 mos. impt. for larceny— servant. 342. Ernest Charles Butler, Case No. 33 ( Vol. VII.), was sentenced as Ernest Charles Neal, at Hove Pol. Ct., 25- 7- 1924, to 3 mos. impt. for larceny, and at Brighton Pol. Ct., 26- 7- 1924, to 3 mos. impt. ( conc. with previous sentence) for false pretences, ( i) Called at a tailor's shop under the pretence of buying a dress suit, and during the temporary absence of shopkeeper stole a cheque book from a table in the shop, ( ii) Engaged a room at a hotel, also called at a firm of outfitters and obtained clothing, in each case tendered in payment a cheque from the stolen book. Henry Melmore, Case No. 420 ( Vol. VIII.), was sentenced at Wimbledon P. Sess. ( L.), 12- 8- 1924, to 3 mos. impt., for failing to report. Robert Henry Stephenson, Case No. 170 ( Vol. IX.), was sentenced as Richard Henry Stephenson, at Derby ( Co.) P. Sess., 18- 7- 1924, to 2 mos. impt. ( cons, with sentence shown, 18- 7- 1924) for obtaining money by false pretences. Method as in ( i) original case. A similar case at Bradford was taken into consideration when sentence was passed. 343. William Jackson, Case No. 41 ( Vol. X.), was sentenced as Walter Vincent at Auckland ( New Zealand) Supreme Ct., 6- 5- 1924, to 6 mos. impt., for larceny ( 3 cases) and false pretences ( 3 cases). Represented himself as a trainer of horses and induced persons to part with money under the pretext that it would be put on a sure winner ; immediately after receiving the money he absconded. Method- ( i) Obtained food and money by giving the name of Sergeant Major Beesley and alleging he was employed on repair work at a certain named military barracks. In another instance represented he had obtained employment at the General Post Office in the town and had been recommended to the house by a well known Catholic priest. ( ii) Alleged he had been engaged by a company to lay a new cable, entered the enquiry department of the Cable Office and while the person in charge was momentarily absent, took possession of several forms used by the company. Subsequently he visited a public house, where he made use of the documents and engaged a number of men. Later induced the landlord to part with a sum of money under the pretext that the men engaged required an advance, and the banks were closed. ( iii) Called at a house in a good class neighbourhood, stated he was a Sergeant Major and had just arrived in the town with his regiment and was seeking lodgings ; to confirm his story he produced a copy of the King's Regulations and other Army documents, which he had obtained from a local Territorial Office. After being given lodgings he persuaded the landlady to advance him various sums of money under the pretext that he was unable to obtain his pay from his adjutant. When questioned about the matter later he absconded. ( iv) Visited a public house, represented he was a Regimental Sergeant Major home on leave from Constantinople, and produced a slip of paper bearing the following— W. R., R. S. M. Bradley, R. E., 15, Clearance Camp, Constantinople. As an excuse for not wearing uniform, stated he had sent it to be cleaned. Subsequently he obtained a loan under the pretence that only sufficient money for the voyage had been advanced to him and that he had £ 100 at the post office to draw upon. Later the aggrieved party accompanied him to the post office and found that the whole of his story was false, and he was subsequently arrested. ( v) Whilst employed as a clerk in the office of the headquarters of a battalion of the Defence Force, he was entrusted with a cheque book for conveyance to a N. C. O., but absconded with it, subse- quently filled in one of the cheques and obtained money from a publican. < vi) Obtained money by posing as a retired Sergeant Major and stating he had £ 80 gratuity to draw from the pensions committee, but was momentarily short of cash. On another occasion he obtained several sums of money by posing as a rehired Sergeant Major and official organiser of the discharged and demobilised soldiers' and sailors' federation. ( vii) Visited a hotel, represented he was Government Inspector under the Port of London Authority, and was authorised to act as supervisor of a certain named canal; later he intimated that he was slightly embarrassed as the Government had failed to forward his cheque, and upon this obtained a loan, after which he left the hotel and failed to return. Specimen of handwriting at C. R. O. Subsequent history. 7 332. Sidney Hubert Hamlin, aliases Sidney Herbert Hamlin, James Foy, William Bramert and Foy the Jockey, C. R. O. No. 5970- 1919. Description : B. ( Malmsbury) 1899, 5ft. 4fin., c. fresh, h. brown, e. hazel- brown, scar first rt. finger and rt. thumb, anchor, hope, clasped hands, heart and burn scar rt., flag, woman's head and wings 1. forearm. Personal Weaknesses, Peculiarities, etc. : Smart appearance ; well spoken and very talkative. Sentenced at Hertford Ass., 11- 2- 1922, to 3 yrs. pen. for housebreaking. Liberated on licence, 22- 7- 1924, into the M. P. D. Pre. con. of larceny, housebreaking and minor offences at EDINBURGH, HARWICH and on C and D. Seven cases of housebreaking were taken into consideration when sentence was passed. A dangerous and persistent housebreaker who frequently carries firearms. ( i) With confederates, during the evening and while the occupiers were temporarily absent, effected entrance to dwellinghouses situated in a good class suburban district, by forcing front door with a jemmy. On occasion he has gained access by forcing the kitchen window. When arrested he was in possession of a fully loaded revolver, brace and bit, blow pipe, etc. ( ii) Accompanied by a m^ n and woman ( the former being partially blind) visited a good class resi- dential neighbourhood. The companions called at houses, the man being led by the woman, under the pretext of making enquiries to trace a relative ; if no reply was received a signal was given to Hamlin who then forced the front door with a jemmy and subsequently ransacked the rooms and drawers of wardrobes for valuables. The proceeds were hidden in a garden where they were staying until a valuable collection had been made, when a taxi was hired to convey it to London. On one occasion he was charged with confederates with shooting with intent but it was eventually reduced to one of common assault. In some cases the property was disposed of to receivers ; in others it is thought that it may ha ve been melted by Hamlin as a crucible was traced to his possession. Associates : William Mitchell, C. R. O. No. 446- 1906, Henry Davis, C. R. O. No. 1322- 1914 ( now in pen.), Annie Mitchell, C. R. O. No. 18675- 1914, Harry Savage, C. R. O. No. 13989- 1919, and Sidney McGuire, C. R. O. No. S/ 154918 ( each of whom has been convicted with him). Method— The portrait is a good likeness. Specimen of handwriting at C. R. O. Subsequent history. 333. Edwin Boothby, aliases William Robinson, James Beard, Frederick Javille, James Power and Fred Wright, C. R. O. No. 700- 190( 5. Description : b. ( Whalley Bridge) 1869, 5ft. 7iin., c. fresh, h. dk. brown ( turning grey), e. grey. Personal Weaknesses, Peculiarities, etc. : Walks with head and shoulders carried forward and hands in overcoat pockets. Sentenced at Douglas General Gaol Delivery, 5- 5- 1922, to 3 yrs. pen. for obtaining money by false pretences ( 12 cases). Liberated on licence, 13- 8- 1924, to Douglas. Pre. con. of false pretences, larceny and minor offences at CASTLETOWN, NOTTINGHAM, STRANGEWAYS, LIVERPOOL, PRESTON, ST. HELENS, BLACKPOOL, LANCASTER, CHORLEY and on N. A troublesome criminal who, for some considerable time, victimised persons by inducing them to pay fees in advance on a bogus mortgage scheme. He is well versed in methods of arranging mortgages. Makes the acquaintanceship of widows or spinsters with property or money, with a view to marriage. Method ( i) Called upon tenants of houses which were for sale or to let, stated he was a representative of a well known society which wished to invest money to avoid paying super income tax ; stated that 80 per cent, of the value would be advanced and persuaded the tenants to make application through him for the property. He subsequently induced the victims to advance various sums of money under the pretext that the same was required for stamp duty or for other fees which were usually at the rate of 2s. 6d. per £ 100 ; after receiving the money he decamped. The persons victimised were principally women. ( ii) Whilst employed as a shop assistant he was left in charge of the business, during the absence of the owner, when he stole various articles which were subsequently found at his lodgings. ( iii) Obtained food and lodgings by false pretences. ( iv) Stole a watch from a dwelling house. Stole blankets from lodgings. Associate: Morris Lazarus, C. R. O. No. 18659- 1914. Specimen of handwriting at C. R. O. 0 r Subsequent history. AK*.. IBXXKM SJUHLU AAULTATFI I IHTXJ' ^^^ 334. George Smith, aliases Frederick Knight and George Knight, C. R. O. No. 20962- 1917. Description : b. ( Grimsby) 1893, 5ft. 8in., c. fresh, h. dk. brown, e. grey ( part cataract 1.), scar rt. side forehead, rt. forearm, back of rt. and p. ilm of 1. hand and second 1. finger. Sentenced at Grimsby Sess., 11- 1- 1921, to 4 yrs. pen. for shopbreaking. Liberated on licence, 16- 7- 1924, to Grimsby. Pre. con. of officebreaking and shopbreaking at BOURNEMOUTH and on M. Offences at Bristol and Gosport were taken into consideration when sentence was passed. Method— ( i) Effected entrance to a pawnbroker's lock- up shop by cutting a hole through the ceiling of a lavatory at the rear, thus gaining access to a bathroom, the door of which was steel plated and locked but was removed by forcing the hinges from the wall. In another instance he obtained access to a pawnbroker's shop by forcing the skylight. ( ii) Visited the premises of a marine store dealer, climbed over a wall and gained entrance to the office by forcing the door with an instrument and subsequently forced open the safe. ( iii) With confederates gained access to a shop, part of which was also used as a sub- post office, by passing from roof of adjoining premises to the flat roof of shop, forcing lavatory door which opened on to the roof and gave access to staircase leading to the shop ; from here two safes were removed to a small warehouse at the rear, forced open and contents stolen. Associates : Frederick George, Case No. 428 ( Vol. IV.), Charles Bennett, C. R. O. No. 1565- 1914, Lily Knight, C. R. O. No. 22893- 1917, and Mabel Smith, C. R. O. No. 2821- 1919 ( each of whom has been convicted with him). Specimen of handwriting at C. R. O. Subsequent history 335. Michael Thomas Brosnan, aliases Michael Thomas Brosman, Michael J. Byrne and Sergeant Major Beesley, C. R. O. No. 4034- 1919. Description : B. ( Galway) 1884, 5ft. llin., c. fresh, h. brown, e. blue, small scar 1. side fore- head, M. B. back rt. hand. Personal Weaknesses, Peculiarities, etc. : Very plausible ; well spoken ; walks erect ; fond of drink and women, speaks with an Irish accent. Sentenced at Wicklow Sess., 3- 10- 1923 ( to date from 21- 5- 1923), to 12 mos. impt. for false pretences. Liberated, 21- 3- 1924, from Mountjov Prison. Pre. con. of cyclestealing, false pretences and a minor offence at WINGHAM, WOLVERHAMPTON, PRESCOT, NEWPORT ( MON.), CHEPSTOW, SOUTHAMPTON, PENZANCE and NEWCASTLE- UPON- TYNE. LATEST INFORMATION Thomas Pearce. Case No. 64 ( Vol. I.), was liberated, 22- 8- 1924, into the M. P. D. Harry Pile, Case No. 252 ( Vol. I.), was liberated, 6- 8- 1924, to Sunderland. Henry Howard, Case No. 284 ( Vol. I.), was liberated, 9- 8- 1924, to Nottingham. Annie Price, Case No. 15 ( Vol. II.), was liberated, 16- 8- 1924, into the M. P. D. Intended address : 296 Block, Beaconsfield Buildings, Caledonian Road. William John Fortescue Austin, Case No. 46 ( Vol. II.), was liberated on licence, 14- 8- 1924, to Bournemouth. James Armstrong, Case No. 242 ( Vol. II.), was liberated, 7- 8- 1924, into the M. P. D. Intended address : 109, Graham Street, City Road. Vera Rothery, Case No. 341 ( Vol. II.), was liberated, 15- 8- 1924, to Birmingham. Herbert Brazier, Case No. 266 ( Vol. III.), was liberated, 16- 8- 1924, to Wolverhampton. Alfred Millard, Case No. 290 ( Vol. III.), died, 10- 5- 1924, at Hackney Central Institution, Homerton. Thomas McNeish, Case No. 93 ( Vol. IV.), was liberated, 18- 8- 1924, to Newcastle- upon- Tyne. Henry Charles Clark, Case No. 116 ( Vol. IV.), was liberated on licence, 24- 7- 1924, into the M. P. I). Description should now read : rt. eye artificial. Arthur Harris, Case No. 120 ( Vol. IV.), was liberated on licence, 11- 8- 1924, into the M. P. D. George Davis, Case No. 188 ( Vol. IV.), was liberated, 14- 8- 1924, into the M. P. D. Intended address : 15, Eltham Street, New Cut, Lambeth. Henry James, Case No. 200 ( Vol. IV.), was liberated, 14- 8- 1924, into the M. P. D. Frank Riverend Merchant, Case No. 300 ( Vol. IV.), was liberated, 8- 8- 1924, into the M. P. D. Henry Freeman, Case No. 424 ( Vol. IV.), was liberated, 7- 8- 1924, into the M. P. D. Intended address : 4, Lansdowne Street, Russell Square. David John Edwards, Case No. 4 ( Vol. V.), was liberated, 7- 8- 1924, into the M. P. D. Intended address : 223, St. George's Street, E. Bertie Francis Entwistle, Case No. 323 ( Vol. V.), was liberated on licence, 11- 8- 1924, to Southampton. John Stephen Webb, Case No. 54 ( Vol. VI.), was liberated, 23- 8- 1924, into the M. P. D. Intended address : 23, Aslet Street, Wandsworth. Norman Charles Boddington, Case No. 342 ( Vol. VI.), was liberated on licence, 21- 8- 1924, to Birmingham. Alice Gertrude Betts, Case No. 392 ( Vol. VI.), was liberated, 16- 8- 1924, into the M. P. D. • Charles Newland, Case No. 523 ( Vol. VI.), was liberated on licence, 15- 8- 1924, into the M. P. D. Victor Henshall, Case No. 74 ( Vol. VII.), was liberated, 16- 8- 1924, to Oldham. William Green, Case No. Ill ( Vol. VII.),' was liberated on licence, 11- 8- 1924, into the M. P. D. Josephine Sadler, Case No. 204 ( Vol. VII), was liberated, 16- 8- 1924, into the M. P. D. Frank William Bailey, Case No. 60 ( Vol. VIII.), was liberated, 21- 8- 1924, to Birmingham. John Wallwin, Case No. 328 ( Vol. VIII.); was liberated, 16- 8- 1924, to Nottingham. George Gardner, Case No. 362 ( Vol. VIII.), was liberated, 6- 8- 1924, to Belfast. Arthur William Lucas, Case No. 6 ( Vol. IX.), was liberated, 20- 8- 1924, to Dorchester. Herbert George Saul, Case No. 63 ( Vol. IX.), was liberated, 23- 8- 1924, to Manchester. Edward Filibin, Case No. 446 ( Vol. IX.), was liberated on licence, 15- 8- 1924, to Sheffield. Mary Douglas Pattinson, Case No. 154 ( Vol. X.), was liberated, 13- 8- 1924, to Newcastle- upon- Tyne. 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. 0 Printed and Pu- lilhed for His Majesty s Stationery Office by the Receiver lor the Metropolitan Police District New Scotland Yard, London, S. W. 1,