CONFIDENTIAL SUPPLEMENT A No. 15. FRIDAY, JULY 29, 1927. VOL. XIV. RIGHT FOREFINGER PRINT UNLESS OTHERWISE STATED Ti. Middle Finger. 24- 1 242 £ 45 ' ~ 244 245 CONFIDENTIAL THE POLICE Supplement A GAZETTE No. 15. FRIDAY, JULY 29, 1927. VOL. XIV. EXPERT AND TRAVELLING CRIMINALS. 240. Harold Walter Britten, aliases Terehern Howard Barton, H. Helliwell- Payne, Harold Barton, Doctor L. M. Dawson, William Lavington Parkinson and Doctor Harold Britten, C. R. O. No. 5233- 1919. Description : B. ( London) 1891, 5ft. 5| in., c. fresh, h. brown, e. grey, scar 1. cheek, palm 1. hand, 3rd 1. finger contracted. Personal Weaknesses, Peculiarities, etc. : Smart appearance, erect figure, well spoken and refined. Sentenced at C. L. S., 1- 12- 1925, to 23 mos. impt. for stealing a motor car and obtaining goods by false pretences. Liberated, 8- 7- 1927, into the M. P. D. Pre. con. of bigamy, false pretences, attempted false pretences, larceny and a minor offence at BOURNEMOUTH, BLACKBURN, EDINBURGH and on D and P. Seven other cases of fraud and larceny were taken into consideration when sentence was passed. Method— ( i) Whilst left in charge of a motor garage at which he was employed he sold a motor car and absconded with the proceeds. ( ii) By posing as an inspector of bridges employed by the Ministry of Transport, he called on a firm of jewellers, produced a visiting card bearing a fictitious name and degrees and stated he had just sold a motor car to a friend of one of the partners and that he had been recommended to the shop for special terms should he make a purchase. He was allowed to select a valuable ring, for which he teidered a cheque from a book he had previously stolen. He also obtained a pair of binoculars in a similar way. ( iii) Telephoned to dental manufacturing firms, represented himself to be a well known customer, ordered a quantity of dental goods to be despatched by train to a certain station, at which he called for the goods. ( iv) Was introduced to a bank manager through whom he obtained a cheque book, the cheques of which, he filled in and tendered in payment for goods. ( v) Posed as a doctor employed at the local infirmary in a provincial city. Stayed at a good class hotel. Called on a jeweller and obtained a brooch, for which he tendered a worthless cheque, also tendered a worthless cheque in payment for his hotel bill. ( vi) Made the acquaintance of a commercial traveller and induced him to loan him jewellery for his wife to make a selection and promised to return next day. It was afterwards discovered he had disposed of the rings to pawnbrokers. ( vii) Whilst employed as a dental mechanic he collected sums of money, on behalf of his employer, which he failed to pay in. Also stole a number of platinum pin teeth and absconded. ( viii) Stole bicycles left unattended in the street, also from a school. He afterwards called on pawn- brokers, posed as an electrician and attempted to dispose of the bicycles by saying he had to commence his holiday immediately and required some ready cash. He produced a fictitious receipt of purchase. The portrait is a good likeness. Specimen of handwriting at C. R. O. Subsequent history uoMji. 241. Robert Charles St. Clair, aliases Robert Geaves, Robert Clark, George Geaves, Robert Charles Geaves, Robert Charles Wallace and Captain McDonald, C. R. O. No. 109- 1927. Description : B. ( Grimsby) 1889, 6ft. lin., c. fresh, h. brown, e. grey, two scars rt. of chin, back each hand, 1st rt. finger and 1. thumb. Personal Weaknesses, Peculiarities, etc. : Is very plausible, has slight impediment in speech, is rather deaf, walks with slight limp and is fond of drink. Sentenced at C. L. S., 22- 6- 1926, to 15 mos. impt. for larceny ( servant). Liberated, 8- 7- 1927, into the M. P. D. Pre. con. of larceny, cyclestealing and false pretences at GRIMSBY, GOSPORT, HULL, BOOTLE, LIVERPOOL and on Y. Has also been dealt with by a D. C. M. for forgery. Method— ( i) Whilst employed as a butler in the service of an Army officer he was asked to pack up his master's clothes, etc., in two suit- cases ready for a visit to the country. He arose early next morning, how- ever, and absconded with the property. ( ii) Employed as a clerk in the Army he was entrusted with the key of the cash- box, from which he stole a sum of money, the property of the sergeants' mess, and absconded. Also stole a cheque book, filled in and presented cheques in payment for goods. ( iii) Called on a tradesman, stated he was fourth engineer on board the s. s. Reventazen, which was then in dock, and that he was relieving other officers. Ordered and obtained goods on the presenta- tion of a bogus advance note. The note being for a larger amount than the goods obtained, he persuaded the tradesman to advance him the change. It was afterwards found that he had stolen the note from the chief officer's room on board ship, and had filled in the particulars. ( iv) Obtained various sums of money from hotel proprietors by representing himself to be Captain Macdonald, his former employer as in ( i). ( v) Called on publicans and induced them to change bank notes which he had stolen and to advance him money on jewellery. Has also stolen a bicycle from the street. Disposed of property to pawnbrokers. The portrait is a good likeness. Specimen of handwriting at C. R. O. Subsequent history. rfr..- 242. Robert Bonnie, alias Patrick Bonnie Bonnie, C. R. O. No. 16898- 1924. Description : B. ( Preston) 1904, 5ft. 9| in., c. fresh, h. It. brown, e. blue, scar rt. of upper lip and rt. forearm. Personal Weaknesses, Peculiarities, etc. : Smart military appearance. Sentenced at C. C. C., 9- 12- 1924, to 3 yrs. pen. ( conc.) for burglary, larceny and armed robbery. Liberated on licence, 31- 3- 1927, to Preston. Pre. con. of false pretences on L. A violent and daring criminal, a member of a gang of motor bandits, who stole motor cars left unattended in the street, drove them in a reckless manner, often resulting in damage to the car, which was immediately abandoned, drove to various villages around London, covering about a fifty mile radius, and later at night or in the early morning broke into public houses, provision shops and private houses by forcing doors and windows with a jemmy. Method- - ( i) With confederates and wearing a mask, called at a private house and by threatening the maid demanded to be shown the electric switch, which was promptly turned off, causing the whole house to be thrown into darkness. The maid was kept under observation by one of the men whilst others ransacked the house and escaped. ( ii) Broke into a small stores, during the night, threatened to shoot the occupants, stole money from the till also a quantity of provisions, etc., and escaped in a stolen motor car. ( iii) Broke into a public house during the night, stole a cash box, money, cigars, whiskey, etc., and escaped in a motor car. ( iv) Entered a restaurant, ordered and consumed a meal and failed to pay for same. Associates : Edward Wallace, C. R. O. No. 18696- 1920 ( now in pen.), James Reedman, C. R. O. No. 21444- 1918 ( now in pen.), and Walter Joslin, C. R. O. No. 16970- 1924, with each of whom he has been convicted. The portrait is a good likeness. Specimen of handwriting at C. R. O. Subsequent history. 243. Charles Major Hayes, aliases Charles De la Haye, Charles Major De la Haye and, as he is known amongst criminals, " Canadian Charlie," C. R. O. No. 46- 1927. Description : B. ( London) 1899, oft. 9Jin., c. sallow, h. and e. brown, scar back each hand. Sentenced at Bucks Sess., 3- 1- 1927, to 3 mos. impt. for stealing pigs. Liberated, 19- 3- 1927, to Aylesbury. Pre. con. of larceny, officebreaking and minor offences at GUILDFORD and on L, T and W. A persistent criminal who first came under notice at the age of 10 yrs., and ever since has been a source of trouble. He often becomes violent when arrested and on one occasion belaboured two police officers about the head with a stick. Method— ( i) With a confederate drove in a motor car to a provincial town and stole four pigs. On another occasion entered a fowl run and killed and stole a number of ducks. ( ii) Broke into an office and stole the safe. ( iii) Gained access to a shop by sealing a wall and through the garden to the back door, which was open, and along a passage to the shop, where he stole a number of fishing rods, etc., from show- cases. ( iv) Stole two bales of woollen goods whilst in transit through the street. ( v) Climbed a gateway adjoining the road and gained access to an orchard, from which he stole a quantity of flowers. In other cases stole growing fruit. Associate : Frederick Barleycorn, C. R. O. No. 757- 1927, with whom he has been convicted. Specimen of handwriting at C. R. O. Subsequent history. I I > 244. George Leslie Owen, aliases George Lloyd Hughes, George Hughes, J. Butler, J. Maine, J. Jackson, George Leslie Holt, George S. Donavan, Lloyd Davies, G. Davis and Don Fred Wilson, C. R. O. No. Description : B. ( Birmingham) 1890, 5ft. 7in., c. fresh, h. dk. brown, e. brown, 3rd rt. finger been injured. Personal Weaknesses, Peculiarities, etc. : Respectable appearance, has thin features, smiles when talking, shows his teeth, is subject to fainting fits, walks with a slight limp. Sentenced at Derby Sess., 21- 10- 1925, to 2 yrs. impt. ( conc.) for larceny ( 2 cases) and false pretences ( 3 cases). Liberated, 22- 6- 1927, to Derby. Pre. con. of larceny and attempted false pretences at BIRMINGHAM, GATESHEAD and WEDNESBURY. An expert thief and swindler, who before his arrest on previous occasions gave considerable trouble by committing numerous offences in various places. He has mostly posed as a commercial traveller and often has in his possession a number of envelopes, trade cards, etc., the property of firms he professes to represent at the time. ( i) Visited a public- house and entered into conversation with a man. Stated he represented a certain firm of biscuit manufacturers, produced a card bearing the name of the firm, said he was a partner and was seeking for a person to act as local representative to deliver their goods by means of a motor van. Asked for a deposit as security and gave a key which he said was the key of a garage where the van was stored. He also obtained 5s. from a man for the purpose of taking out a motor driver's licence. ( ii) Posed as a commercial traveller and stated his motor car had broken down and was being repaired at a local garage. He thereby obtained lodgings and at the first opportunity entered bedrooms and stole jewellery, clothes, etc., and absconded. ( iii) Posed as a farmer from the country, obtained lodgings and after staying for a few days went out, saying he was going to a seed warehouse to do some business, but failed to return. ( iv) Obtained food and lodgings by posing as a solicitor's clerk, said he was visiting the district for the purpose of serving a writ. In some cases when left alone he stole cash boxes and money. 8590- 1922. Method- Specimen of handwriting at C. R. O. r 245. Robert Clarke, aliases Norman Gibson, G. Clark, Robert Collins, J. Harvey, George Humphries, W. F. Ellingham, Frederick Harvey, T. H. Harvey and J. H. Hardy, C. R. O. No. 7375- 1924. Description : B. ( Holmfirth) 1888, 5ft. 7Jin., c. fresh, h. auburn, e. brown, scar under rt. jaw and 1. wrist. Personal Weaknesses, Peculiarities, etc. : Has thin face, sunken jaws, speaks quietly, is nice mannered, reserved disposition, and walks with a short quick step. Sentenced at Salisbury ( City) Sess., 8- 1- 1926, to 21 mos. impt. for obtaining a motor car by false pretences. Liberated, 24- 6- 1927, to Salisbury. Pre. con. of false pretences at SOUTHPORT. Fifteen other cases of a similar nature were taken into consideration when sentence was passed. ( i) Called on a firm of motor engineers, stated he was desirous of purchasing a second- hand car. Was introduced to the owner of a car who wished to dispose of same. He was given a trial run and after giving fictitious references induced the owner to accept a cheque and the car was duly handed over to him, but the cheque was later returned marked No Account. ( ii) Called on a tradesman, presented a business card and falsely represented he was buying knitted goods for a firm in the provinces, thereby obtained two costumes and three cardigans, and placed an order for several others. ( iii) Posed as a commercial traveller, took lodgings at a hotel, gave the manageress a cheque for a large amount, said he had received it from his firm, but as he had no ready money he induced the woman to advance him £ 3. The cheque was found to be worthless, and he left without paying his bill. ( iv) Called at a clothier's shop and induced the manager to accept a cheque in payment for an overcoat. In another case obtained clothing, presented a cheque for a larger amount and obtained the change. ( v) Whilst staying at a hotel stole a suit- case containing various articles, including a cheque book. The cheques from which he afterwards used in committing frauds. Method- Specimen of handwriting at C. R. O. Subsequent history C 1DO The following persons who have already appeared in Supplement A have been re- convicted as follows— 246. John McKerns, Case No. 3 ( Vol. II.), was sentenced as John Alexander Lewis at Brighton Pol. Ct., 11- 7- 1927, to 1 mo. impt. for stealing a bicycle. Charles Holland, Case No. 32 ( Vol. II.), was sentenced at Old Street Pol. Ct. ( L.), 6- 7- 1927, to 3 mos. impt. for being a suspected person, loitering. Attempting to steal letters from under a door. Annie May, C. R. O. No. 7683- 1927, was convicted with him. 247. Thomas Fletcher, Case No. 128 ( Vol. III.), was sentenced as Thomas Price at Surrey Ass., 4- 7- 1927, to" 9 mos. impt. for burglary. Method as in original case. 248. William Arthur Taylor, Case No. 369 ( Vol. III.) was, at Highgate P. Sess., 6- 7- 1927, bound over in £ 5 for 12 mos. for larceny. Employed as a garage attendant, he stole the money from a drawer in the office and absconded. Mary Florence Myers, Case No. 380 ( Vol. III.), was, as Florence Myers, at Marvlebone Pol. Ct. ( L.), 5- 7- 1927, fined £ 10 and £ 5 5s. costs or two mos. impt. for keeping a brothel. William Henry Williamson Barraclough, Cases Nos. 41 ( Vol. IV.) and 180 ( Vol. XIV.). was sentenced at Hereford City Pol. Ct., 4- 7- 1927, to 1 and 1 mo. impt. ( conc.) for larceny ( trick) and false pretences. Method as in original case. 249. George Stephens, Case No. 309 ( Vol. IV.), was sentenced as George Franklin at Westminster Pol. Ct. ( L.), 4- 7- 1927, to 6 mos. impt. for stealing money ( confidence trick, disbursement of fortune). 250. David John Edwards, Case No. 4 ( Vol. V.), was sentenced at Marylebone Pol. Ct. ( L.), 7- 7- 1927, to 6 mos. impt. and fined £ 100 or 3 mos. impt. ( cons.) for receiving. Entered a bank and tendered a cheque which had been stolen from a motor car. Harry Arthur Clarke, Case No. 250 ( Vol. V.), was sentenced as Harry Clarke at Marlborough Street Pol. Ct. ( L.), 7- 7- 1927, to 3 mos. impt. for being a suspected person— loitering. Cecil Algernon Lumley, Case No. 345 ( Vol. V.), was sentenced at C. C. C., 5- 7- 1927, to 18 mos. impt. for fraudulent conversion. Method as in original case. 251. William Herbert Carter, . Case No. 415 ( Vol. V.), was sentenced as James Edward Williams at Burnley Pol. Ct., 11- 7- 1927, to 6 mos. impt. for stealing a purse and money from the person at railway station. George Jordan, Case No. 473 ( Vol. VI.), was sentenced as John Williams at Durham Sess., 4- 7- 1927, to 2 mos. impt. for officebreaking and larceny. Method as in original case. 252. Bruce Bowman, Case No. 492 ( Vol. VI.), was , at Darlington P. Sess., 5- 5- 1927, fined £ 1 and to pay £ 1 damage for wilful damage to police cell. Also at Durham Sess., 4- 7- 1927, was sentenced to 5 yrs. pen. for warehousebreaking and shopbreaking ( 2 cases). Effected entry to the warehouse by forcing window at rear of premises and to shop by forcing door in side passage with a jemmy. 253. Francis Davis, Case No. 228 ( Vol. VIII.), was sentenced as William Hammond at Surrey Sess., 29- 6- 1927, to 5 yrs. pen. for obtaining goods by false pretences ( 5 cases), long firm fraud. Method as in original case. Two other cases of bigamy were talten into consideration when sentence was passed. John Williams, Case No. 269 ( Vol. VIII.), was sentenced at Crewe Pol. Ct., 2- 7- 1927, to 3 mos. impt. for being found on enclosed premises. James Pearson, Case No. 219 ( Vol. X.), was sentenced as Jim Pearson at Leeds ( W. R.) Sess., 11- 7- 1927, to 5 yrs. pen. for obtaining food and lodgings by false pretences. Method as in original case. Thirteen other cases of a similar nature were taken into consideration when sentence was passed. James Smith Parker, Case No. 238 ( Vol. X.), was sentenced as James Parker at Barnsley ( W. R.) Pol. Ct., 8- 7- 1927, to 6 and 6 mos. impt. ( cons.) for ( i.) larceny ( lodgings), and ( ii.) larceny ( bailee), ( i.) Method as in original case, ( ii.) borrowed a watch from a fellow lodger and absconded. One other case of larceny at Bedford was taken into consideration when sentence was passed. Robert William Gunter, Case No. 320 ( Vol. X.), was sentenced at Auckland ( N. Z.) Pol. Ct., 27- 4- 1927, to 3, 3 and 3 mos. impt. ( cons.) for larceny ( 3 cases). 254. Jean Florence Sinclair, Case No. 360 ( Vol. X.) was sentenced as Jean Bell at Margate Pol. Ct., 8- 7- 1927, to 6 and 6 mos. impt. ( cons.) for obtaining food by false pretences and larceny. Method as in original case. 255. Frederick William Frank Gibbs, Case No. 3 ( Vol. XIV.), was sentenced as Claude Frank Gibbs at Branksome P. Sess., 4- 7- 1927, to 3 mos. impt. for stealing two tapestries from unoccupied dwelling house. Frank John Chapman, Case No. 164 ( Vol. XIV.), was sentenced as Francis John Chapman at Limerick District Ct., 24- 6- 1927, to 3 and 3 mos. impt. ( conc.) for obtaining food and lodgings by false pretences ( 2 cases). LATEST INFORMATION. Fred Oldham, Case No. 330 ( Vol. III.), was liberated, 18- 6- 27, to Exeter. Arthur Harris, Case No. 120 ( Vol. IV.), was liberated on licence, 12- 7- 1927, into the M. P. D. Charles Wooder, Case No. 35 ( Vol. V.), was liberated, 7- 7- 1927, into the M. P. D. Intended address : 153, Farringdon Road. Alfred Williams, Case No. 206 ( Vol. V.), was liberated on licence, 5- 7- 1927, into the M. P. D. John Thomas, Case No. 342 ( Vol. V.), was liberated on p. d. licence, 11- 7- 1927. John Wilson, Case No. 410 ( Vol. V.), was liberated, 16- 7-* 1927, into the M. P. D. Edward Graham, Case No. 422 ( Vol. V.), was liberated, 7- 7- 1927, into the M. P. D. Intended address : 71, Monever Street, Hoxton. Frank Martin, Case No. 442 ( Vol. V.), was liberated, 7- 7- 1927, into the M. P. D. Intended address : 59, Chatham Avenue, City Road. • a*. John Rose, Case No. 437 ( Vol. VI.), was liberated on licence, 11- 7- 1927, to St. Albans. John Wallwin, Case No. 328 ( Vol. VIII.), was liberated, 13- 7- 1927, to South Normanton. Harry Charles Johnson, Case No. 424 ( Vol. VIII.), was liberated, 16- 7- 1927, into the M. P. D. Intended address : 95, Blenheim C'rAscent, Ladbroke Grove. Alfred Marshall, Case No. 1 ( Vol. IX.), died 20- 6- 1927. Frederick Till, Case No. 221 ( Vol. IX.), was liberated on licence, 11- 7- 1927, into the M. P. D. Fred Jackson, Case No. 45 ( Vol. X.), was liberated on licence, 22- 7- 1927, to Shipley, near Bradford. Thomas Healey, Case No. 310 ( Vol. X.), was liberated, 19- 7- 1927, into the M. P. D. Intended address : 51, Alma Street, New North Road. James Moore, Case No. 450 ( Vol. X.), was liberated, 12- 7- 1927, into the M. P. D. Intended address : 62, George Street, Hampstead Road. Edward Johnstone, Case No. 444 ( Vol. XI.), was liberated, 13- 7- 1927, into the M. P. D Frederick Westgate, Case No 115 ( Vol XII), was liberated on licence, 8- 7- 1927. into the M. P. D. Harry Ingleson, Case No. 319 ( Vol. XII.), died in the Hull Naval Hospital, 4- 7- 1927. Samuel James Tasney, case No. 12 ( Vol. XIII.), was liberated on licence, 13- 7- 1927, into the M. P. D. Harry George Russell, Case No. 34 ( Vol. XIV.), was liberated, 15- 7- 1927, to Consett. 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 snbsoquent conviction of criminals, whose particulars have been inserted in Supplement A, will appear in cach issue at the end of the cases, the original numbers should be cross- referenced on printed lines provided for that purpose. SPECIAL NOTICE. Whon any person whose portrait and description have appeared in Supplement A is again arrested for any olfence, 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. l.