CONFIDENTIAL SUPPLEMENT A No. 11. FRIDAY, JUNE 3, 1927. VOL. XIV. UNLESS OTHERWISE STATED 4 RIGHT FOREFINGER PRINT CONFIDENTIAL Supplement A , THE POLICE GAZETTE NO. 11. FRIDAY, JUNE 3, 1927. VOL. XIV. EXPERT AND TRAVELLING CRIMINALS. 163. James Murphy, aliases Cyril Pretoria Stewart, James Manuel, William Anderson, Cyril Stewart, Pat Ryan and T. Williams, C. R. O. No. 11481- 1917. f Description : B. ( Dublin) 1900, 5ft. 4 § in., c. fresh, h. dk. brown, e. brown, scar chin, rt. cheek and 1. thumb ; tombstone, In memory of my dear mother rt. forearm. Personal Weaknesses, Peculiarities, etc. : Smart appearance, good figure. Sentenced at C. C. C.. 29- 4- 1924, to 4 yr. pen. and 20 strokes with cat for assault to rob, being armed. Liberated on licence, 29- 4- 1927, to Cardiff. Pre. con. of cyclestealing, larceny and ware- housebreaking at LIVERPOOL, LEICESTER and on H. Has also been convicted of larceny in ANTWERP. A member of a gang of clever and dangerous thieves who showed a considerable amount of ingenuity in a series of crimes. He is of the desperado type and is often chosen when violence has to be committed. Method— ( i) With confederates drove in a motor car, which had been stolen from the street by one of the men, to a jeweller's shop in a suburban district, smashed the window with a piece of iron ore wrapped in cloth, seized a tray of rings and drove away. In a similar case, on being chased, fired a revolver at pursuers. ( ii) With two other men entered a newsagent's shop, passed behind the counter, presented a revolver at the occupier and demanded money, then assaulted the man and decamped. ( iii) Ga'ned access to a warehouse at the rear of premises by forcing the skylight. Stole a number of costumes, etc. ( iv) Dressed in sailor's uniform, he obtained lodgings, stated he was waiting for his brother who was t coming into port on a steamer, also that he was on leave from his ship. He ransacked the rooms of other lodgers and stole jewellery, clothing, money, etc., and absconded. ( v) Boarded a ship lying in clock and stole a wallet and money from a cabin. ( vi) Stole a bicycle as bailee. Associates : Arthur James Benbow, C. R. O. No. 7326- 1916 ( now in pen.), Frederick Burgess Liddle, C. R. O. No. 6794- 1916 ( now in pen.), Sydney John Stead, C. R. O. No. 2065- 1922, with each of whom he has been convicted, and Alfred Grilfing Birch, C. R. O. No. 6862- 1924. The portrait is a fairly good likeness. 164. Frank John Chapman, alias Frank John Iago, C. R. O. No. 203- 1925. Description : B. ( London) 1896, 5ft. 8in., c. fresh, h. brown ( thin on top), e. blue ( wears spectacles), scar 1. temple, under jaw and 1st 1. finger, mole 1. forearm. Sentenced at C. C. C., 26- 6- 1923, to 3 yrs. pen. for bigamy, subsequently sentenced at Brighton Sess., 29- 3- 1926, to 8 mos. impt. for fals pretences and obtaining credit by fraud ( 2 cases). Liberated on second licence, 13- 5- 1927, into the M. P. D. One other case of larceny ( trick) was taken into consideration when sentence was passed. After his release on licence in 1925, having incurred a debt for food and lodgings, he called at a Prisoners' Aid Society, accompanied by a woman who, he stated, was his landlady to whom be owed money, and on this representation obtained from the society a sum of money. It was after- wards found that the woman was not his landlady and that the story was false. ( i) With a confederate stayed at good- class hotels, ran up bills for food and lodgings, and to give a good appearance carried in suit- cases which were afterwards found to contain newspaper, etc., and absconded. In one case he left with the proprietor of a hotel a sealed envelope, represented it contained something of value, but it was found to contain a forged debit note. ( ii) Took furnished rooms, obtained food and lodgings, borrowed money from fellow lodgers, remained a few days, then, on the pretence of going to get his money left the house and failed to return. ( iii) While staying at a hotel ordered and obtained quantities of wine and spirits from a local wine merchant. Associate : Sydney Wilson, C. R. O. No. 23604- 1920 ( now in prison) with whom he has been convict : d. Method— The portrait h a good likeness. Specimen of handwriting at C. R. O. 165. Tom Whittaker Lee, aliases Wallace Reid and Tom Lee, C. R. O. No. 20626- 1921. Description : B. ( Manchester) 1896, 5ft. 6£ in., c. fresh, h. dk. brown, e. grey, scar over rt. eye and rt. of chin. Sentenced at C. C. C., 9- 12- 1924, to 3 yrs. pen. for shopbreaking. Liberated on licence, 12- 5- 1927, into the M. P. D. Pre. con. of housebreaking and minor offences on C, L, V and Z. A member of a well known gang of motor bandits, who for some considerable time before his arrest had been operating in the suburbs. He is an expert motor car driver and was the driver of the car in the offence mentioned in ( i) below. He is of a violent disposition and once, when under the influence of drink, wilfully damaged a street hurricane lamp by throwing it at the window of a house. Also on one occasion assaulted a police officer. Method— ( i) With confederates smashed the window of a jeweller's shop, stole valuable jewellery and escaped in a waiting motor car, which bore a false identification mark. ( ii) Broke into a dwelling house and stole property. He was seen to leave the house and was chased by a private individual whom he violently assaulted. Associates : Herbert Edward Scott, Case No. 246 ( Vol. XI.), with whom he has been convicted, Hyman Secunda, C. R. O. No. 23941- 1917, and Douglas Morton, C. R. O. No. 11144- 1921 ( now in pen.). The portrait is a good likeness. Specimen of handwriting at C. R. O. Subsequent histor A^. A^ J 166. William George Gray, alias Arthur Reginald Davis, C. R. O. No. 7520- 1919. Description : B. ( Handsworth) 1896, 5ft. 8| in., c. fresh, h. and e. brown, Ann Dagmar, clasped hands rt., rifle, flag, sword 1. forearm, clasped hands, I. A. R. D. backrt., U. S. A. back 1. hand. Sentenced at C. L. S., 6- 7- 1926, to 12 mos. impt. for larceny. Liberated 7- 5- 1927. into the M. P. D. Pre. con. of larceny, housebreaking, shopbreaking and a minor offence at WALSALL, HENLEY- ON- THAMES, BILSTON, MIDDLESBROUGH, BIRMINGHAM, TORONTO ( Canada) and on B and W. One other case was taken into consideration when sentence was passed. An expert housebreaker and thief. A criminal who has carried firearms and who does not hesitate to use violence. On one occasion, in his endeavour to escape from a house into which he had broken, he struck a man a violent blow on the head with a revolver. In 1924 he was given an opportunity to make a fresh start and proceeded to Canada, but there he resorted to crime and was deported back to this country. Method— ( i) Whilst employed as butler at a good- class residence, where his wife, also, was employed as cook, he stole a quantity of jewellery, clothing and a bicycle and absconded. ( ii) Effected entry to dwelling houses by breaking glass panels of front doors and releasing the catches, stole property from bedrooms. In another case he gained access to a house, which was also a sub- post office, by breaking the scullery window, and stole a sum of money from a wardrobe in bedroom. Also gained access to other premises by climbing wall at the rear. ( iii) Whilst in lodgings stole jewellery, etc. Also while staying at a Salvation Army hostel stole clothing and money the property of another lodger and absconded. The portrait is a good likeness. Specimen of handwritingC. R. O. Subsequent history 167. James Bruce Curtis, aliases Bruce Gunn, Albert Waite, Alfred Sutton, Thomas Hamilton, James Bruce Richards and Bruce Adam Gunn. C. R. O. No. 656- 1912. Description : B. ( Scotland) 1885, oft. 3fin., c. fresh, h. brown, e. hazel, scar 1. of forehead* rt. eyebrow and rt. of mouth, snakes rt., woman and star 1. forearm. Sentenced at Middlesex Sess., 10- 1- 1925, to 3 and 3 yrs. pen. ( conc.) for larceny ( 2 cases)- Liberated on licence, 6- 5- 1927, into the M. P. D. Pre. con. of larceny, embezzlement, cyclestealing* receiving, housebreaking and minor offences on J, N, S and W. A troublesome and dangerous thief and housebreaker, who first came under notice at the age of 14 years' when he was birched and sent to an industrial school for larceny. He is a violent criminal and always makes a desperate effort to escape when being arrested. Method— ( i) Entered a Council school and during the absence of school mistress stole a lady's handbag. Also entered cloakrooms at schools and stole clothes. ( ii) Effected entry to a dwellinghouse by forcing door at rear with a chisel and stole property. On being disturbed he rode away on a bicycle he had previously stolen, climbed a fence and rode across three fields, when he was overtaken by a constable, and in the struggle that ensued attempted to draw a loaded revolver. ( iii) Entered a lock- up shop through door which had been insecurely fastened and stole property. ( iv) Posed as a Sergeant Major in the Army and dressed as such entered a number of garages during the day time and stole and received quantities of petrol, etc. ( v) Stole a motor cycle from a shed at the rear of a suburban boarding house and used the cycle in committing other offences. ( vi) Stole a bicycle left unattended in a front garden. Also stole a bicycle from a coach house. ( vii) Forced the doors of a pavilion and stole telescopes, rifles, etc. The portrait is a good likeness. Specimen of handwriting at C. R. O. / Subsequent history. 168. John Powell Edwards, aliases H. N. Williams, Edward Williams, Lieutenant Blade and Jack Williams C. R. O. No. 5123- 1920. Description : B. ( says Liverpool, Birmingham and Canada) 1897, 5ft. 6| in., c. fair, h. It brown, e. blue, scar forehead, over 1. eye and eyebrow, 1. cheek, back 1. hand, 4th rt. and 2nd 1. fingers, 1. arm been broken. V ^ Sentenced at Leeds Sess., 7- 1- 1925, to 3 yrs. pen. for false pretences. Liberated on licence, 22- 4- 1927, to Plymouth. Pre. con. of false pretences, cyclestealing and larceny at BIRMINGHAM, PRESTON, WALLASEY, NELSON and WESTON- SUPER- MARE. Method— ( i) Called at a shop, told the person in charge he was a customer, and asked if the proprietor was in. On being informed he was out, wrote an order for lamp shades, etc., and also asked if firm had any gas brackets in stock. Was allowed to take some of the property away and promised to call for the remainder next morning, but failed to do so. In another case said he was opening a business locally and that he required goods for show purposes, selected several articles and asked to be allowed to take samples away. Was given a number of gas shades. Also called at other shops where he told a similar story. ( ii) Called at a milliner's shop and stated he had accidentally burnt a lady's dress, which he wished to replace. Selected a dress and produced a card bearing the name of an engineering firm in a neigh- bouring town. On the back of the card was written a fictitious name and address. Was allowed to take the dress away on promising to pay in a few days, but he immediately disposed of same. ( iii) Obtained a number of tickets from the local organizer of a ballot in aid of hospital funds, stated he was a member of various clubs, etc., in the town, and was in a position to sell the tickets ; also proposed to open a stall in the local market to sell same. ( iv) Called on a jeweller and obtained a gold ring by stating he wished to replace one he had lost and that he had money due to him from the Army. Gave a false name and address. ( v) Posing as a naval officer and dressed as such he called at a shop and obtained a suit- case on the pretence that his ship was stationed at a certain port. Also obtained a gramophone by similar methods. ( vi) Became acquainted with a woman in a ballroom, asked to examine her gold watch, shortly after- wards complained of feeling ill and stated he would go to a chemist's and return in a few minutes, but did not do so, and disposed of the watch. ( vii) Dressed in naval petty officer's uniform he called at a cycle agent's, stated he was on leave, gave a local address, hired a bicycle for two hours, but failed to return. Also stole a bicycle left unattended in the street. ( viii) Posed as an officer in the merchant service and obtained an overcoat from a tailor, stated he would pay for same when his ship wTas paid off. ( ix) Posed as a naval officer and obtained lodgings, stole a camera, etc., and absconded. Disposed of property to second- hand dealers and pawnbrokers. Specimen of handwriting at C. R. O. - ' { I Subsequent history £ The following persons who have already appeared in Supplement A have been re- convicted as follows— IX 169. Thomas Pearce, Case No. 64 ( Vol. I.), was sentenced at Feltham P. Sess. ( L.), 9- 5- 1927, to 3 mos. impt. for being a suspected person. With confederates visited bookmakers' stands on racecourses and demanded money with threats. John Saunders, C. R. O. No. 1721- 1901, and Joseph Carr, C. R. O. No. 1460- 1906, were convicted with him. ^ Joseph Walter Blackwell, Cases Nos. 14 ( Vol. II.) and 178 ( Vol. XIII.), was, at C. L. S., 13- 5- 1927, bound over £ 5 for 2 yrs. for being found in possession of housebreaking implements by night. Frederick James, C. R. O. No. 182- 1899, was concerned with him. ^ Herbert Thomas, Case No. 263 ( Vol. III.), was sentenced at Glasgow Sheriff Ct., 12- 5- 1927, to 9 mos. impt. for obtaining money by fraud ( 4 charges), and attempting to obtain money by fraud ( 5 charges). Method as in Case No. 107 ( Vol. XII.). \ S 2- 5- 19 Thomas McNeish, Case No. 93 ( Vol. IV.), was sentenced at Newcastle- on- Tyne Pol. 27, to 6 mos. impt. for stealing money and jewellery from lodgings. a, / ; 1' 170. John Whiteley, Case No. 263 ( Vol. IV.), was sentenced as John Ward at Southport Pol. Ct., 20- 5- 1927, to 6 and 6 mos. impt. ( cons.) and 6 and 6 mos. impt. ( conc.) for obtaining money by false pretences ( 4 cases). Called on a boot and shoe dealer, stated he was an expert on chiropody, pro- duced a book on the subject, said the price was £ 1 but that he could supply it on approval at half price, obtained the money and absconded. Two other cases of false pretences at Liverpool and Halifax were taken into consideration when sentence was passed. ^ George Roberts, Case No. 229 ( Vol. V.), was sentenced as John Carr at Sedbergh P. Sess.^ 11- 5- 1927, to 6 mos. impt. for obtaining money by false pretences. Method as in Case No. 287 ( Vol. VIII.). Cases at Leeds ( City) and Stockton were taken into consideration when sentence was passed. 171. Edward Richardson, Case No. 356 ( Vol. V.), was sentenced as Albert Rawlings at Manchester Ass., 10- 5- 1927, to 3 yrs. pen. for burglary. Method as in original case. ^ James Frederick Titmass, Case No. 5 ( Vol. VI.), was sentenced at Salford ( City) Pol. Ct.^ 5- 5- 1927, to 6 mos. impt. and £ 2 costs for stealing an overcoat, etc., from lodgings. Two other cases of larceny ( lodgings) at Manchester and one of false pretences at Blackburn were taken into, consideration when sentence was passed. » ^ John Lampey, Case No. 70 ( Vol. VI.), was sentenced at North London Pol. Ct., 16- 5- 1927,. ' to 6 mos. impt. for stealing a wallet and contents from the person. James Bryan, C. R. O. No, 2461- 1909, was convicted with him. c/ 172. Frederick White, Case No. 219 ( Vol. IX.), was sentenced at C. C. C., 4- 5- 1927, to 3 yrs. pen. anc* 5 yrs. p. d. for warehousebreaking, larceny, possessing housebreaking implements by night and bein^ a h. c. Broke into a jeweller's establishment, ripped off the back of safe and stole the contents^, George Sheldon, Case No. 94 ( Vol. V.), was convicted with him. / 173. Alfred Ernest Edwards, Case No. 383 ( Vol. IX.), was, asArthur Ernest Egerton, at Bow- streetPolv Ct. ( L), 9- 5- 1927, fined £ 15 for selling intoxicating liquor without a licence at a club. / 174. Frederick Page, Case No. 499 ( Vol. IX.), was sentenced as George Page at C. L. S., 10- 5- 1927, tc* 18 mos. impt. for breaking and entering a workshop with intent. Method as in original case. \/ 175. George Drew, Case No. 290 ( Vol. X.), was sentenced at C. C. C., 5- 5- 1927, to3| yrs. pen. for receiving, forging and uttering stolen postal orders and conspiracy to defraud. The postal orders were stolen with safe and contents in case of post office breaking. l/ 170. John Samuel Brown, Case No. 63 ( Vol. XI.), was sentenced as John James Samuel Brown at Winchester Sess., 14- 5- 1927, to 1 yr. impt. for attempting to obtain money by false pretences ( 2 • cases). Method as in Case No. 150 ( Vol. XII.). Four other cases of obtaining money by false pretences at Hastings, Tunbridge Wells, Bognor and Chichester were t^ Jten into consideration when sentence was passed. LATEST INFORMATION. U John Weston, Cases Nos. 86 ( Vol. I.) and 1 ( Vol. XIII.), was liberated, 27- 3- 1927, into the M. P. D. 1/ Charles Jones, Cases Nos. 17 ( Vol. II.) and 237 ( Vol. XIII.), was liberated, 17- 5- 1927, to Maidstone. ^ Frederick William Wiles, Case No. 105 ( Vol. II.), was liberated, 25- 5- 1927, into the M. P. D. Intended address : 134, Becklow Road, Shepherd's Bush. ^ John Albert Stuckey, Case No. 287 ( Vol. II.), was liberated on licence, 18- 5- 1927, into the M. P. D. 1/ John Cronin, Cases Nos. 369 ( Vol. II.) and 408 ( Vol. XIII.), was liberated, 23- 5- 1927, to Aldershot. Austin Sinclair, Case No. 89 ( Vol. III.), was liberated on licence, 27- 5- 1927, to Worcester. ^ Thomas Henry Wharton, Case No. 107 ( Vol. III.), was liberated, 24- 5- 1927, to Ilkley. ^ William Henry Williamson Barraclough, Case No. 41 ( Vol. IV.), was liberated on licence, 20- 5- 1927, to Harrogate. ^ Robert Wilson, Case No. 44 ( Vol. IV.), was liberated, 17- 5- 1927, to Manchester. l/ George Wilmore, Case No. 13 ( Vol. VI.), was liberated, 24- 5- 1927, into the M. P. D. \/ Harry Callan, Case No. 63 ( Vol. VI.), was liberated on P. D. licence 11- 5- 1927. l/ John McRae, Case No. 243 ( Vol. VI.) was liberated, 4- 5- 1927, to Liverpool. ^ Ernest Collins, Case No. 17 ( Vol. VII.), was liberated on licence, 20- 5- 1927, into the M. P. D. James Gray, Case No. 82 ( Vol. IX.), died 19- 5- 1927. y/ John Preston, Case No. 368 ( Vol. IX.), was liberated, 25- 5- 1927, to Small Heath. k/ John Hardy, Case No. 236 ( Vol. XI.), was liberated, 16- 5- 1927, to Birmingham. Edith Coslett, Case No. 351 ( Vol. XI.), was liberated, 21- 5- 1927, to Exeter. ,/ Evelyn Margaret Robinson, Case No. 467 ( Vol. XI.), was liberated, 23- 5- 1927, into the M. P. D. Intended address : 7, Melton Street, Euston. ^ Frederick Elgar Oldrey, Case No. 176 ( Vol. XII.), was liberated, 27- 5- 1927, into the M. P. D. Intended address : 19, Spottons Road, Tottenham. Sid Brighton, Case No. 234 ( Vol. XII.), was liberated, 20- 5- 1927, into the M. P. D. Intended address : 44, Linford Road, Walthamstow. John Edward Jones, Case No. 267 ( Vol. XII.), was liberated, 17- 5- 1927, to Liverpool. George William Buckland, Case No. 419 ( Vol. XII.), was liberated, 21- 5- 1927, into the M. P. D. Intended address : 76, Harleyford Road, Kennington Oval. 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 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 t h e Metropolitan Police District, New Scotland Yard, London, S. W. I.