CONFIDENTIAL SUPPLEMENT A No. 8. FRIDAY, APRIL 10, 1925. Vol. XII. RIGHT FOREFINGER PRINT UNLESS OTHERWISE STATED CONFIDENTIAL THE POLICE Supplement A GAZETTE No. 8. FRIDAY, APRIL 10, 1925. Vol. XII. EXPERT AND TRAVELLING CRIMINALS. 135. Harry Wilson, aliases William Nightingale Green, William Hall, William Owen, William Shepherd, Jack Smith and John Smith, C. R. O. No. 485- 1908. Description : B. ( Birmingham) 1885, 5ft. 9Jin., c. fresh, h. dk. brown, e. blue, scar under rt. eye, crossed flags rt. forearm. Sentenced at C. C. C., 14- 11- 1922, to 3 yrs. pen. for larceny. Liberated on licence, 19- 2- 1925, into the M. P. D. Pre. con. of cyclestealing, larceny, warehousebreaking, uttering forged order and minor offences at BIRMINGHAM, BRIGHTON, GRAYS, C. O. and on C, E and F. Method— ( i) A member of a gang of clever letter box thieves, who loitered about the doorways of business premises, during the early morning, and extracted letters from the letter boxes, etc., soon after postal delivery. Cheques obtained from this source were forged and amounts altered— presumed by a member of the gang— and later presented at the various banks for payment, this part being carried out, in some instances, by Wilson, in others, innocent persons have been requested to call and cash them. An endeavour has been made to obtain possession of cheque books from the banks under the pretext that it was intended to open an account by depositing the money obtained by means of forged cheques. In one instance, pending enquiries as to the references which had been supplied, a single blank cheque was given, this was straightway filled in for an amount and cashed ; the bank discovered later that they had been defrauded. ( ii) Stole a bicycle which had been left unattended in a passage leading to a public house. ( iii) Gained access to a warehouse by means of a false key or secretion on the premises. With confederates, has loitered outside banks, subsequently followed persons leaving and hustled them when about to board tramcars, etc. He has also been concerned with others in loitering at rear of delivery vans whilst left temporarily unattended in the street. Associates : Albert Armstrong, Case No. 449 ( Vol. X.) ( now in pen.) ; Thomas McNulty, C. R. O. No. 11068- 1917 ( with each of whom he has been convicted) ; John Sullivan, Case No. 203 ( Vol. VIII.) ; and George Jones, C. R. O. No. S/ 80625. The portrait is a good likeness. Specimen of handwriting at C. R. O. Subsequent history. 136. Harry White, alias Harry Howard, C. R. O. No. 6283- 1920. Description : B. ( London) 1896, 5ft. 9£ in., e. fresh, h. brown, e. blue, scar base of 1. thumb, fourth 1. finger slightly contracted. Personal Weaknesses, Peculiarities, etc. : Well spoken rather boastful. Sentenced at Manchester Sess., 23- 7- 1924, to 9 mos. impt. for housebreaking. Liberated, 12- 3- 1925, to Manchester. Pre. con. of larceny, housebreaking, burglary and a minor offence at ROCHDALE and on J and W. Method— ( i) After seeing the occupier leave a dwelling house for the purpose of shopping, he effected entrance to the premises by forcing the front door with a jemmy. He has also forced the front door of dwelling houses during the night. ( ii) With confederates effected entrance during the night to a dwelling house, part of which was used as a store for purpose of trading and carrying on the business of a blouse manufacturer, by climbing side wall giving access to rear of premises, then forcing iron bar from scullery window, which had been left insecurely fastened, and later forcing bolt of scullery door. The panel of stock room door was subsequently forced and a quantity of valuable crepe- de- chine and silk stolen. ( iii) With a companion secured lodgings in a Provincial town and at a favourable opportunity, during absence of occupier, gained access to a dwelling house by climbing a wall at rear of premises, lifted kitchen window which had been left unfastened, and ransacked the various rooms for valuables. v ( iv) Visited a town in the Provinces, where he secured entrance to a millinery and blouse shop by scaling wall of adjacent premises and forcing window on ground floor. A motor car was used as a means of conveyance. Associates : Louis Lebovitch, Case No. 218 ( Vol. XI.) ( now in prison) ; Frank Street, C. R. O. No. 497- 1908 ; Barnett Goodstone, C. R. O. No. 8660- 1914 ( with each of whom he has been con- victed) ; Thomas Flatt, C. R. O. No. 530- 1907 ( now in pen.) ; Alexander Levine, C. R. O. No. 16994- 1917 ; Maurice Barado, C. R. O. No. 4529- 1918 ; and Robert Frederick Anderson, C. R. O. No. 21105- 1920. Specimen of handwriting at C. R. O. Subsequent history^'. /...^ Jjtff. tT.^.'.... tlfi^. f& l.. K. tJf... UnXtji « ff< f J 137. Alfred Shevill, aliases Cyril Elderson ( correct name) and Max Goldin, C. R. O. No. 5408- 1915. Description : B. ( London) 1899, 5ft. 5in., c. fresh, h. It. brown, e. brown. Personal Weaknesses, Peculiarities, etc. : smart appearance ; quiet in speech ; becomes violent when under the influence of drink. Sentenced at West Sussex Sess., 3- 7- 1924, to 10 mos. impt. for housebreaking. Liberated, 14- 3- 1925, into the M. P. D. Pre. con. of receiving and minor offences at BIRMINGHAM and on G and Y. Method— ( i) A criminal who has been responsible for several cases of housebreaking in various parts of the country. Has secured access during the night or early morning by forcing kitchen or scullery windows or by means of insecurely fastened windows. ( ii) Gained access to a general stores during the night by entering through scullery window. Before leaving premises he has partaken of food and spirits. Specimen of handwriting at C. R. O. Subsequent history ( dk. ..-. sr^ rTS^ nSfcrltW^^ ^ f-^.- SI.' J^^^ L. 138. James Watson, aliases James Long, James Richard Long, John Lawrence and William Shepherd, C. R. O. No. 3036- 1897 ( for M. P. D., S. R. N. 67c). Description : B. ( Maidstone) 1862, 5ft. 4in., c. fresh, h. brown ( turning grey, thin top), e. brown ( wears spectacles). Personal Weaknesses, Peculiarities, etc. : Smart appearance ; quiet manner. Sentenced at Sussex Ass., 7- 12- 1922, to 3 yrs. pen. for housebreaking. Liberated on licence, 6- 3- 1925, into the M. P. D. Pre. con. of larceny, housebreaking, burglary, shopbreaking and minor offences at CAMBRIDGE, BEDFORD, WISBECH, OKEHAMPTON, HOVE and on T and Y. i A criminal who carries firearms. Method— ( i) During the week- end, with an accomplice, effected entrance to a dwelling house by forcing cellar window whilst the occupier was absent. ( ii) Accompanied by a confederate forced the window at rear of a pawnbroker's shop and was in the act of entering the premises when he was discovered by police, and in an endeavour to evade arrest pointed a revolver at the officer. Has effected entrance to jewellers' shops in London and the Provinces by scaling walls and gaining access to rear of premises selected, then chiselling away woodwork around the lock and finally forcing doors with a jemmy, also to dwelling houses by forcing windows at rear and front doors. Disposed of the property to receivers. Associates : William Day, Case No. 199 ( Vol. II.) ; Walter Roberts, Case No. 228 ( Vol- IV. ( now in pen) ; Harry Ross, Case No. 372 ( Vol. IV.), ( with each of whom he has been convicted) ; Thomas Wallace. Case No. 354 ( Vol. II.); George Williams, C. R. O. No. 2269- 1897 ( now in pen.); Alfred Thompson, C. R. O. No. 651- 1900, and Arthur Graham, C. R. O. No. 1998- 1905. The portrait is a good likeness. Specimen of handwriting at C. R. O. 139. Lily Lydia Finch, aliases Lily Pipps, Lily Finch and Lily Arnold, C. R. O. No. 6406- 1919. Description : B. ( London) 1895, 5ft. 2in., c. fresh, h. fair, e. blue. Sentenced at Hailshanl> P. Sess., 3- 6- 1924, to 6 mos. impt. for larceny. Subsequently sentenced at Stratford P. Sess ( L.), 11- 6- 1924, to 6 mos. impt. ( cons to sentence passed 3- 6- 1924) for larceny. Liberated, 4- 4- 1925, into the M. P. D. Pre. con. of larceny on J. Three other cases were taken into consideration when sentence was passed. Method - ( i) On several occasions she has secured lodgings in the Provinces and M. P. D., and subsequently absconded with jewellery, clothing, etc., belonging to her landladies and fellow lodgers. ( ii) Called at a house, ostensibly to engage lodgings, and whilst left temporarily alone stole jewellery, etc. ( iii) Obtained goods from a shop by representing that she had ben sent by another person. ( iv) During the time she was employed as a maid she stole clothing and absconded. In some instances she has kept part of the stolen clothing for her personal use, in others disposed of the goods to pawnbrokers. The portrait is a good likeness. Specimen of handwriting at C. R. O. Subsequent history Subsequent history. 140. Thomas Emrys Phillips, aliases Barry James, James McDonald, T. E. Dunn, Leslie Barker, Daniel Le Vante, L. H. Barnard, Lionel Barnard and Price, C. R. O. No. 13334- 1919. Description : B. ( says Cardigan and London) 1900, 5ft. 8Jin., c. fresh, h. brown, e. grey. Personal Weaknesses, Peculiarities, etc. : Very erect ; takes short quick steps when walking ; quiet spoken ; inveterate liar ; plausible ; on occasions he wears pince- nez. Sentenced at Birmingham Pol. Ct., 4- 12- 1924, to 3 mos. impt. for false pretences. Liberated, 17- 2- 1925, into the M. P. D. Pre. con. of larceny, false pretences and a minor offence at CARDIGAN, LIVERPOOL, IPSWICH, CAMBRIDGE, BRIGHTON, GLOUCESTER and on J and L. A clever and plausible criminal who has succeeded in obtaining food and lodgings in many parts of the country by advancing fictitious stories. To inspire confidence he invariably stated that he was connected with some well known musical company and frequently represented that he was the advance agent. At a favourable opportunity he absconded with money, etc., belonging to the landladies and fellow lodgers. At one period he had in his possession an imitation gold case which fitted one of his teeth in upper jaw, it is believed that he made use of this in order to deceive members of the public with regard to his identity. When in custody he has feigned illness and has commenced to spit blood— it is thought this was brought about by previously pricking his gums. Method— ( i) Interviewed a stage manager, stated he was interested in the theatrical profession and, at his request, was given an address where he could obtain lodgings. Later he called at the address, represented that he was advance manager of a revue company appearing at the local hippodrome the following week, and secured board and lodgings. ( ii) Whilst in the waiting room of a well known railway station he related to another person a story of how he had had the misfortune to lose a sum of money through having his pockets picked. The acquaintance took sympathy upon him and eventually provided him with lodgings for the night. Upon awakening the following morning the former found that his wallet, containing a large sum of money and a number of cheques, was missing from his jacket pocket and that Phillips had decamped. ( iii) Posed as a chauffeur in the employ of a well known doctor and secured lodgings. The following day he left under the pretext of communicating with the doctor by telephone, but failed to return, and it was afterwards discovered that a purse and money were missing. ( iv) Accompanied by a woman, who posed as his wife, he obtained lodgings by stating he was a variety artiste and later absconded without paying his account. ( v) Stole a suit- case from a railway station. ( vi) Called at the offices of a War Pension Committee and obtained a sum of money by falsely repre- senting that the Military Authorities had called in his ring paper and had failed to forward him another one, thus preventing him drawing his pension. 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— 141. Charles Henry May, Case No. 265 ( Vol. I.), was sentenced as Charles Henry Howard May, at Birmingham Ass., 19- 3- 1925, to 18 mos. impt. for false pretences. During the time he was secretary to a company it caine to his knowledge that a certain cafe was for sale, he subsequently advertised the particulars and later induced a person to pay £ 50 as a deposit on the premises. With this May opened an account in the name of the Birmingham and Midland Supply Co., signing himself as proprietor. It afterwards transpired that his company were unable to find the money he had previously stated they would do, that no deposit had been paid on the cafe and that he had with- drawn from the bank the whole of the £ 50 and used it for his own purpose. 142. George Murray, Case No. 305 ( Vol. II.), was sentenced as George Lyster, at Marlborough Street Pol. Ct. ( L), 25- 3- 1925, to 3 mos. impt. for shoplifting. Dorothy Connor, C. R. O. No. 219- 1924 was convicted with him. 143. Annie Ells, Case No. 319 ( Vol. II.), was sentenced as Edith Dundas, at Marlborough Street Pol. Ct. ( L), 16- 3- 1925, to 3 mos. impt. for attempting to obtain money by false pretences— begging letter. 144. Leon Storey, Case No. 49 ( Vol. III.), was sentenced as Victor Storey, at Marlborough Street Pol. Ct. ( L), 19- 3- 1925, to 1 mo's. impt., for begging. William Cook, Case No. 336 ( Vol. IV.), was sentenced at C. C. C., 25- 3- 1925, to 6 mos. impt. for shopbreaking— breaking window with a stone. \ 145. William Henry, Case No 10 ( Vol. V.), was sentenced at Marlborough Street Pol. Ct. ( L), 16- 3- 1925, to 6 mos. impt. for stealing money which he abstracted from a drawer at the Leicester Galleries. John Knight, Case No. 72 ( Vol. V.), was sentenced as John Williams, at Birmingham Sess., 9- 3- 1925, to 12 mos. impt. for housebreaking. Method as in ( i) original case. John Roberts, C. R. O. No. 2401- 1900, was convicted with him. Liberated from previous sentence 19- 10- 1923. William Berry, Case No. 482 ( Vol. VI.), was sentenced at York Ass., 11- 3- 1925, to 3 yrs. pen. for false pretences. Secured board and lodgings by representing that he was in the employ of Rowntree's Chocolate Manufacturers, York, and that his motor lorry had broken down. Sixty- four other cases were taken into consideration when sentence was passed. James Cope, Case No. 484 ( Vol. VI.), conviction shown in issue of 27- 2- 1925 was quashed by Court of Criminal Appeal, 23- 3- 1925. Ernest Charles Butler, Case No. 33 ( Vol. VII), was sentenced at Lambeth Pol. Ct. ( L), 20- 3- 1925, to 3 and 1 mo's. impt. ( cons.) for assault on police ( 2 cases). 146. Annie Smith, Case No. 61 ( Vol. VIII.), was sentenced as Nellie Annie Lunn, at C. L. S., 19- 3- 1925, to 18 mos. impt. for larceny ( 3 cases), ( i) and ( ii) Method as in ( i) original case, ( iii) Took a furnished room, stayed for one night and then absconded with clothing, etc. Arthur William Lucas, Case No. 6 ( Vol. IX.), was sentenced as George Howard, at Godalming P. Sess., 19- 3- 1925, to 3 mos. impt. for stealing money from offertory box in a church. 147. James Gray, Case No. 82 ( Vol. IX.), was sentenced as James O'Brien, alias Jack Landers, at Newcastle- under- Lyme Pol. Ct., 19- 3- 1925, to 1 mo's. impt. for stealing overcoat from a motor car in hotel yard. 148. Charles Richardson, Case No. 146 ( Vol. IX.), was sentenced as Charles Head, at C. L. S., 18- 3- 1925, to 14 days impt. for stealing a blanket from lodgings. Frederick Charles Allen, Case No. 425 ( Vol. IX.), was fined 40s. at Stratford P. Sess. ( L), 16- 3- 1925, for assault on police. 149. James Brady, Case No. 2 ( Vol. X.), was sentenced at Middlesex Sess., 7- 3- 1925, to 24 mos. impt. for housebreaking. Secured entry to a dwelling house, situated in a suburban district, by breaking glass panel in front door during the afternoon and temporary absence of occupier. 150. John Samuel Brown, Case No. 63 ( Vol. XI.), was sentenced as John Samuel Baker, at Brentford P. Sess. ( L), 23- 3- 1925, to 3 and 3 mos. impt. ( cons.), for false pretences ( 2 cases). Posed as a doctor and induced a person to advance him a sum of money, which he stated he required to enable him to settle an account. 151. John Clarke, Case No. 148 ( Vol. XI.), was sentenced at C. C. C., 25- 3- 1925, to 9 mos. impt. for stealing a tiepin from the person. Liberated from previous sentence 9- 7- 1924. Edwin Boothby, Case No. 333 ( Vol. XI.), the re- conviction as shown in issue of 5- 12- 1924 has been quashed by Court of Criminal Appeal, held at Douglas, 17- 3- 1925. LATEST INFORMATION Angus Gamer, Case No. 132 ( Vol. 1.), was liberated, 4- 4- 1925, into the M. P. D. Intended address : 14, West bourne Terrace, Paddington. Edward Cook, Case No. 115 ( Vol. 11.), was liberated, 4- 4- 1925, into the M. P. D. Intended address : 58, West Square, St. George's Road, Westminster. George Wilson, Case No. 404 ( Vol. IV.), was liberated, 24- 3- 1925, into the M. P. D. David John Edwards, Case No. 4 ( Vol. V.), was liberated, 28- 3- 1925, into the M. P. D. Intended address : 6, Silvester Street, Southwark. Annie Wilson, Case No. 123 ( Vol. V.), was liberated on licence, 1- 4- 1925, to Birmingham. Thomas Mitchell, Case No. 289 ( Vol. V.), was liberated, 31- 3- 1925, to Manchester. Francis Parker, Case No. 6 ( Vol. VI.), was liberated, 6- 4- 1925, to Hull. Jack Johnson, Case No. 162 ( Vol. VI.), was liberated, 27- 3- 1925, into the M. P. D. James McVittie, Case No. 317 ( Vol. VI.), was liberated, 4- 4- 1925, to Salford. Charles Walker, Case No. 406 ( Vol. VI.), was liberated on licence, 27- 3- 1925, to Bolton. Charles Edward Barnett, Case No. 348 ( Vol. VIII.), was liberated on licence, 27- 2- 1925, to Birmingham. Laura Partridge, Case No. 366 ( Vol. VIII.), was liberated, 3- 4- 1925, into the M. P. D. Intended address : 43, Dante Road, Newington Butts. George William Flaxman, Case No. 448 ( Vol. IX.), was liberated, 31- 3- 1925, to Tilbury. John James Haslam, Case fro. 115 ( Vol. X.), was liberated, 3- 4- 1925, to Manchester. William Parkinson, Case No. 143 ( Vol. X.), was liberated, 3- 4- 1925, into the M. P. D. Frank Donald Duncan, Case No. 152 ( Vol. X.), was liberated, 4- 4- 1925, into the M. P. D. Intended address : 23, Conningham Road, Shepherd's Bush. Harry Scott, Case No. 339 ( Vol. X.), was liberated, 4- 4- 1925, to Bradford. Frederick William Wells, Case No. 149 ( Vol. XI.), was liberated, 28- 3- 1925, to Southampton. 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, those 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 Hie Majesty's Stationery Office by the Receiver for the Metropolitan Police District, New Scotland Yard, London, S. W. 1.