CONFIDENTIAL SUPPLEMENT A No 5 FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 29 1924. Vol. XI. RIGHT FOREFINGER PRINT UNLESS OTHERWISE STATED CONFIDENTIAL THE POLICE Supplement A GAZETTE No. 5. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 29, 1924. Vol. XI. EXPERT AND TRAVELLING CRIMINALS. 83. William John Davies, aliases John Davis, Percy Sterling, George Stanley, William John Davis, Fred Smith, P. C. Morgan, F. Stewart, Frederick S. Campbell, F. C. Staart, A. E. Butler, Fred Tribble, Lance Corporal Harris, Gunner McGregor, Gunner McDonald and — Wagg, C. R. O. No. 381- 1914. Description : B. ( London) 1884, 5ft. 5| in., c. fresh, h. dk. brown, e. brown, scar above each eyebrow and bridge of nose, Lilly, etc., 1. forearm, half ring 2nd and 3rd rt. and each 1. finger. Sentenced at Bedford Sess., 12- 10- 1921, to 3 yrs. pen. and 7 yrs. pol. supn., for false pretences ( 3 cases). Liberated on licence, 11- 1- 1924, into the M. P. D. Pre. con. of larceny, false pretences, dwelling housebreaking and minor offences at BARNSTAPLE, MAIDSTONE, NORTHAMPTON, SLOUGH and on G, H, P. and V. Has also committed offences at Hitchin, Cambridge ( Boro.) and Peterborough. Eight cases in the M. P. D. were taken into consideration when sentence was passed. An artful criminal, who obtained money from charitably disposed people by various plausible tales accompanied by a shedding of tears when necessary. Made himself acquainted with matters relating to the victims, their servants, etc., and was thus able to converse freely and inspire confidence. Sent telegrams to a woman with whom he cohabited, erased the original words and substituted others to substantiate his tale. Sometimes produced a letter supposed to have come from his wife, stating she had got his medals, etc., and hoping he would obtain the situation. Is a pre- war pensioner of the Hussars. Method— ( i). Called on a clergyman, appeared to be in great distress, alleged his wife had been knocked down by a motor car, was seriously injured and in hospital at Bournemouth ; stated he wished to see her, ' that he was an engineer, but had been unable to do any work owing to an injury to his wrist, which he had bandaged ; produced an army advice note purporting to show he had £ 29 10s. to his credit, payable a few days later, obtained money to pay his fare etc., to Bournemouth, and left the note as security. Called again two days later, produced a telegram, ostensibly from the doctor of the hospital, stating the wife had died and asking for the removal of the body ; induced victim to advance £ 5 on the security of the note, and the following day obtained £ 2 alleging he was in difficulties respect- ing his rent. Endeavoured to obtain a further sum on the pretext that the money advanced would not cover the expense of the motor hearse required to convey the body to London, but was unsuccessful, and left the house sobbing bitterly. ( ii). Called at the town residence of a lady who had a cottage in the country, and mentioned the names of several persons who resided in the neighbourhood at the latter place. Stated he was a comedian, and produced a telegram purporting to have come from Edinburgh offering him an engagement there; alleged he had been disengaged for a long time and obtained money to pay his fare. Some- times posed as a film actor. V ( iii). Waited upon ladies and gentlemen interested in wounded ex- soldiers, produced a telegram apparently from the manager of a theatre or cinema at Aberdeen offering a situation if he could attend immediately, and induced victims to advance him the fare. ( iv). Stated he was a brother of victim's country gardener, that he had just been discharged from hospital where he had received treatment for a wound in the head, and had come to London to look for work, leaving his wife and children in the country ; that he was a musician, and had an offer of an engagement at Inverness, but required money to pay his fare. Asked to produce further evidence of relationship to the gardener, he called later and produced a telegram ostensibly from that person stating he would repay the loan to his brother and thereby obtained £ 5. ( v). Said he was a demobilised soldier, produced a black edged letter supposed to have been sent by his wife, urging him to attend her father's funeral and asked for money to pay his fare. ( vi). With a confederate attempted to steal from the person of a drunken soldier, and when arrested assaulted the officer. Stole money from his billet; broke into a dwelling house and stole jewellery. Associate : Richard Bert Ernest Pellet, C. R. O. No. 27- 1922. The portrait is a fairly good likeness. Specimen of handwriting at C. R. O. Subsequent history 84. John Godfrey, alias John Bradley, C. R. O. No. 7- 1924. %* Description : B. ( London) 1897, 5ft. 10in., c. fresh, h. brown, e. blue, fleshy growth rt. side of neck near jaw, scar rt. cheek, dots rt., dots and cross 1. forearm. Personal Weaknesses, Peculiarities, etc. : A sodomite. Sentenced at C. C. C., 13- 4- 1920, to 5 yrs. pen. for housebreaking. Liberated on licence* 14- 1- 1924, into the M. P. D. Pre. con. of larceny and minor offences at STONEY STRATFORD and on C. O., C, L and Y. Method- Forced the door of a high- class flat and stole a large quantity of lady's wearing apparel. Stole ai> overcoat and pocket- book from a hotel. Walked by the side of victim, snatched her handbag and ran away. With face powdered, accosted well dressed gentlemen for immoral purposes. Wa^ found in possession of a dressing- case containing ladies' silk dresses and failed to satisfactorily account for the property. t Disposed of property to wardrobe dealers and private persons. The portrait is a good likeness. Specimen of handwriting at C. R. O. Subsequent history. A 85. John Henry Coleman, aliases John Snelling, John Henry Snellings, John Phillips, Henry Freemantle, John Henry Mantle, J. M. Snelling, John Henry Putman and ( as he is known among criminals) Putney, C. R. O. No. 1568- 1907 ( for M. P. D., S. R. N. 1585a) Description : B. ( London) 1878, 5ft. 9£ in., c. fresh, h. and e. grey, W. H. 1. hand. Personal Weaknesses, Peculiarities, etc. : May resort to violence to evade arrest. Sentenced at C. C. C., 10- 1- 1923, to 15 mos. impt., for burglary. Liberated, 25- 1- 1924, into the M. P. D. Pre. con. of larceny, burglary, possessing housebreaking implements by night and larceny ( dwelling) at LEWES, SIGNAPORE and on G, J and L. An associate of clever and daring shopbreakers, jewel thieves and safe breakers; invariably worked in conjunction with one or more confederates. Method— ( i) In the con. quoted, with a confederate, effected entry to a high- class hotel by means of a false key, and stole jewellery valued at over £ 3000 by breaking the glass of a show- case in the vestible. An attempt had been made to open the case by boring holes around the lock with a brace and bit. They were detected in the act of removing the jewellery and escaped from the premises, but Coleman was overtaken and arrested. In his possession was found part of the property valued at over £ 1000. ( ii) Forced the shutters, or removed the bolts securing same, of jewellers' shops and smashed the windows, using brown paper and treacle to deaden the sound. ( iii) Broke the glass panels of public house doors, pulled back the bolts, and rifled the tills. ( iv) Stole clothing from a brougham ; a watch from the person; and bacon exposed for sale. Associates : Henry Edward Willoughby, Case No. 248 ( Vol. VI.), James Hall, C. R. O. No. 3180- 1898, George James, C. R. O. No. 2475- 1899, Robert Betson, C. R. O. No. 365- 1907, George Freeman C R O^ No. 663- 1908 ( who have been convicted with him), Samuel Morris, C. R. O. No. 1192- 1914, Edward Flood, C. R. O. No. 839- 1897. and George Smith, C. R. O. No. 1951- 1900. The portrait is a good likeness. Specimen of handwriting at C. R. O. t Subsequent history. cmVbtiu, cxtf iMut. » « nt » t « » x* 86. Frederick Jones, aliases Frederick Spencer Jones, Fred MacGregor and Frederick Matthews, C. R. O. No. 4449- 1919. ejV Description : ( B. ( Kettering) 1893, 5ft. 3| in., c. fresh, h. brown, e. blue, cross, etc 1. forearm, ^ r dot second and third 1. fingers. Personal Weaknesses, Peculiarities, etc. : Walks quickly ; very talkative. Sentenced at C. L. S., 11- 10- 1921, to 3 yrs. pen., for larceny. Liberated on licence, 18- 1- 1924, into the M. P. D. Pre. con. of larceny and minor offence at KETTERING, in CITY OF LONDON and on E. A persistent lodger, hotel and boarding house thief. Method— Posed as a traveller, engaged a room at a hotel or boarding house, entered the rooms of other boarders during their temporary absence and stole jewellery and clothing. In company with Gladys Jones ( acquitted^ stayed at a boarding house and stole clothing, etc., from other lodgers' rooms. Stole money and property belonging to a fellow soldier at a soldiers' shelter. Disposed of the property to receivers. The portrait is a good likeness. Specimen of handwriting at C. R. O. m Subsequent history. x U. cjstVdm, /<£, / U Cte. ft. $ 50 tCi / 7, 4 H 87. Claude Henry Hammond, aliases Reginald Waterhouse, Dick Kirton, Claude Hammond, Reginald Wilson, Reginald Claud Hall, Reginald Smallwood, Jack Ingham or Ingram, H. C. Smallwood, Forrester, Barrett, H. S. Smith, Reginald C. Barrett, Reginald Morris, Charles Morris, Charles Norris, Lawton and Captain Reginald Leeson, C. R. O. No. 48- 1922. Description : B. ( Rugby) 1893, 5ft. 3| in., c. dk., h. dk. brown, e. blue. Personal Weaknesses, Peculiarities, etc. : Slight impediment in speech, very plausible ; appears to be fairly well educated. Sentenced at Blackburn Sess., 20- 10- 1922, to 18 mos. impt., for false pretences and larceny. Liberated, 19- 1- 1924, to Blackburn. Pre. con. of fraud and minor offences at NORTHAMPTON, COVENTRY, LANCASTER, LLANDUDNO, RUGBY, FLEETWOOD, SOUTHPORT, NUN- EATON and on Y. Has also committed offences at Scarborough, Stockport, Warrington, Rhyl, Skerton, St. Albans, Louth, Weymouth, Manchester, Matlock, Conway, St. Annes- on- Sea, Bolton, Wigan, Blackpool, Sheffield and Leicester. Method— ( i) Obtained lodgings in a good- class neighbourhood by representing he held a responsible position with a local firm, or by posing as a bank clerk transferred from a branch in some other district; remained a few days, then decamped with jewellery, clothing, etc. Stated he was employed as a cloth- looker at certain mills ; subsequently persuaded the landlady to lend him money under the pretext that he could purchase a quantity of cloth at a very cheap rate, and absconded with wearing apparel. Represented he had just arrived from Cheltenham College, that his father was the licensee of a hotel in Manchester, would arrive later in his motor car and pay all expenses. ( ii) Engaged rooms under the pretext that his motor car had broken down and he had to leave it behind for repairs ; stated his luggage would arrive by train, that he was arranging with Lloyds Bank for the transfer of £ 100 to the local branch, and called at the bank for advice respecting the transfer of money from a bank in South America. Asked the landlady to take care of an envelope addressed to the Royal Insurance Co., Darlington Road, Southampton Row, London, and obtained money from her under the pretence that he wanted to pay for his luggage. After he had disappeared, the envelope was opened and found to contain a copy of the bank's report, apparently picked up from the counter, and some plain foolscap. < iii) Alleged he was a member of the firm of Austin's Motors and had brought a car from London for a few days's holiday ; led the landlady to believe he was a man of means and induced her to advance him several sums of money amounting to £ 15; made love to the daughter and borrowed a gold watch from her; called upon the landlady's son- in- law, produced an Income Tax demand note, stated he wished to pay same and obtained £ 2 10s. ( iv) Called upon a woman whose husband was in gaol, posed as a prison warder and obtained money from the woman by alleging he was in a position to obtain better food for the prisoner. Obtained goods from tradesmen by using the name of the occupier of the house where he was staying. Obtained money by stating he could obtain photographs of soldiers' graves in France. < v) Called at a United Services club, stated he had walked from a distant town and was destitute. Received assistance, returned next day, said he was unable to obtain work, was given money and sent to lodgings where he remained a few days and obtained money on the representation that a collection had^ been made on his behalf and £ 4 was to be handed to lpm. jjthfcf night at the club ; also stated he was an engineer, and prior to the war played football for'Stockport County Football Club. ( vi) Obtained from a young lady the name and address of her brother- in- law who resided in another town; called upon the latter person, produced a business card bearing the words, Rhyl Motor Garage, Proprietor, alleged he was the person referred to on the card and endeavoured to borrow £ 2. Borrowed money from an acquaintance, stating his father was on the Stock Eschange, was allowed to wear a ring belonging to the victim and failed to return it; called on victim's mother, stated he was staying with her son, who was short of cash, and as he was motoring in the district had called upon her ; showed the ring belonging to her son and obtained money to give to him. < vii) Made the acquaintance of loser at a place of amusement and offered him employment in a motor works provided he joined the Union. Victim agreed and handed 10s. to Hammond, who arranged to call for victim on a certain date. Failed to do so, but called four days later when he left a letter addressed Harry Barton Esq., Austin Works, etc., Birmingham, signed R. Shilling, in which reference was made to the previous interview. Subsequently victim received another letter signed R. C. Hall, purporting to have come from a hotel, but no such person was known there. * ( viii) Posed as a wealthy person who had been left a considerable sum by his father, who had died in Canada ; stated he intended to commence building operations, invited person to co- operate and invest money in the concern ; interviewed solicitors and obtained from them particulars of building lands for sale. Has been convicted of wearing military decorations and naval uniform without authority. Disposed of property at pawnbrokers' shops, or with persons at new lodgings. The portrait is a good likeness. Specimen of handwriting at C. R. O. Subsequent iM. ALu- tl% c. r* r- f?; ^ {< jy \) SCr.: JtAA* . v'l+ i 7 < 4 88. William Henry Bray, aliases Ernest George Larter ( believed correct name), Ernest Austin George Larter, Leslie Plummer, Leslie W. Plummer, E. H. Chesters, G. H. Boylan, William C. Webber, Ernest S. Larter, Cecil Gorringes, — Myres and Lieut. Arthur Edward Spearing, C. R. O. No. 18701- 1915. Description : B. ( says Essex and Suffolk) 1898, oft. 6in., c. fresh, h. dk. brown, e. blue, scar over rt. eyebrow. Sentenced at Wilts. Sess., 11- 10- 1921. to 3 yrs. pen for false pretences. Subsequently sentenced at Wilts. Assizes, 13- 10- 1921, to 12 mos. impt. ( conc.) for bigamy. Liberated on licence 15- 1- 1924, into the M. P. D. Pre. con. of larceny on B, T and V Twenty- four other cases were taken into consideration when sentence was passed, including offences at Slough, Salisbury, Bath, Chichester, Winchester, Newbury, Southend- on- Sea, Worthing Bristol, Exeter, Tiverton, Cullompton, « Lynton, Oxted, Hailsham and in the M. P. D. Method— ( i) Booked rooms at a hotel stating he would require same for two or three days ; asked the proprietor to cash a cheque, was informed it would be paid into the bank early next day and if in order the amount would be paid. Made out a cheque for £ 20, received £ 3 on account and left the hotel betore it was ascertained the cheque was worthless. ( ii) Whilst staying at the hotel, had repairs done at a local garage to a motor cycle which was in his possession on arrival and tendered in payment a worthless cheque in settlement of the bill. ( iii) Hired cycles from agents under the pretext that he required the machines for a few hours and failed to return them. ( iv) Put up at hotels and left without paying his accounts. Under the pretext that he had lost his suit- case containing his ready money, induced a hotel proprietor to cash a stolen cheque and obtained clothes, etc., from local tradesmen in a similar manner. Stayed at a hotel and during market day, when a number of people were in the bar, stole a wallet containing Treasury notes from the counter and immediately decamped. ( v) Posed as a dentist, obtained lodgings and stole jewellery from bedrooms ; also posed as a com- mercial traveller, obtained food and lodgings, hired taxi cabs and gave worthless cheques in payment of expenses incurred. ( vi) Obtained admission to a cadet officers' club by representing he had been recommended for a commission in the army and stole a suit- case, etc., from bedrooms. Made the acquaintance of a young lady and whilst in her company stole some Treasury notes from her handbag. ( vii) Visited a solicitor's office, and whilst temporarily left alone stole a cheque book ; the same day purchased a motor cycle with one of the stolen cheques. ( viii) Was apprenticed by the Ministry of Labour to a dentist but dismissed for unsatisfactory conduct; subsequently obtained £ 10 from the Ministry of Labour by falsely stating he had not been paid his allowances bv the dentist, t ( ix) Whilst visiting friends stole cash, etc., from the dining room and kitchen ; obtained possession of a dinghy, etc., under the pretext that he had been sent for same by the owner. When arrested at a boarding house he was wearing the uniform of a 2nd lieutenant and was known as Lieutenant Arthur Edward Spearing Whilst in the army stole jewellery from a house where he was billeted. Disposed of property to dealers, casual acquaintances in the streets and pawnbrokers. The portrait is a good likeness. Specimen of handwriting at C. R. O. Subsequent history... v\. /. /.:...... Su. x... The following persons who have already appeared in Supplement A have been re- convicted as follows— ^ William Hickman, Case No. 142 ( Vol. I.), was sentenced at Stockport Pol. Ct., 15- 2- 1924, to- 3 mos. impt. for loitering with intent on football field. • Gertrude Ryland, Case No. 310 ( Vol. I.), was sentenced at Willesden P. Sess. ( L.), 31- 1- 1924, to 1 mo. impt. for fraudulently obtaining relief from parish guardians. 1* 9. William Harthan, Case No. 216 ( Vol. II.), was sentenced as William Taylor, at Preston Sess., 13- 2- 1924, to 3 yrs. pen. for false pretences ( 2 cases). Five cases of larceny, 12 cases of false pretences and 4 cases of attempted false pretences were taken into consideration when sentence was passed. Called on small shop keepers during the husband's absence and stated the latter had sent him for £ 1 or £ 2 to put on a horse running that day. MK). Alice Hall, Case No. 77 ( Vol. III.), was sentenced as Eileen Buchanan, at Middlesex Sess., 2- 2- 1924, to 5 yrs. pen. for larceny ( servant), and stealing jewellery, etc., from dwelling houses ( 3 cases). Five other cases were taken into consideration when sentence was passed, including larcenies at Dorking and Tunbridge Wells. Obtained situation as cook, and whilst left alone in the house stole jewellery and disposed of it to pawnbrokers. 91. Thomas Henry Wharton, Case No. 107 ( Vol. III.), was sentenced as Frederick Charles Chew, at Manchester Pol. Ct., 6- 2- 1924, to 3, 3, 3 and 3 mos. impt. ( cons.), for false pretences ( 3 cases) and larceny. Obtained money by falsely stating he was the son of G. H. Mason, Skipton, Yorks, that they owned Scale Hall Farm, Bolton Abbey, and could supply butter and eggs. Stole a pair of gloves from one of the places where he called. Called upon a woman, stated he had just been released from gaol where her husband was imprisoned, did not ask for money, but as he alleged he was in straitened circumstances she gave him some. By a similar tale stayed two days at the house of a woman whose son was in prison, and was given money. No action was taken by the women. Gave his name as Webb and Dyer. j * 92. Frank Miller, Case No. 157 ( Vol. IV.), was sentenced as Francis James Marchant, at Portsmouth Pol. Ct., 25- 1- 1924, to 3 mos. impt., for obtaining drink by fraud. Called for drinks for himself and others in the bar of a hotel, when asked to pay, produced a wallet containing two pieces of paper, advertisements for a brand of whiskey and a bookmaker's business, resembling Bank of England notes. Stated he was Major Hilliard and had plenty of money. Stayed at various hotels as Captain Miller, and failed to settle his acounts. t/ Arthur Denvil Sassoon Collinson, Case No. 69 ( Vol. V.), was sentenced as Arthur Collinson, at Westminster Pol. Ct. ( L.), 12- 2- 1924, to 1 yr's. impt. for failing to report. 93. Edward McDonald White, Case No. 436 ( Vol. VI.), was sentenced as James Thompson, at Wigan ( Boro.) Pol. Ct., 8- 2- 1924, to 3 mos. impt., for frequenting a church with intent. 94 Stephen Sharman, Case No. 494 ( Vol. IX.), was, at C. L. S., 5- 2- 1924, bound over for 2 yrs., f0j> flatbreaking and larceny. Forced door with a blunt instrument. r 95. Joseph King, Case No. 3 ( Vol.. X.), was sentenced at Lincoln ( Co.) Ass., 4- 2- 1924, to 3 yrs. pe^ for shopbreaking. Effected entry into an ironmonger's shop during a Saturday evening by breaki^ ' n WT1 - « •" » rl ATTT n 4" 4" A T1A r » r> a window at the rear. Thomas Murray, Case No. 118 ( Vol. X.), was sentenced at Hertford ( Co.) Ass., 7- 2- 1924, ^ 9 mos. impt., for stealing a pair of boots from a shop front. 96. Frank Edward Payne, Case No. 233 ( Vol. X.), was sentenced as Frank Jackson, at East Sess., 16- 10- 1923, to 2 yrs. impt., for storebreaking and larceny. Effected entry into bungalo^ along the south coast by forcing back doors with a jemmy and unfastening catch ; cutting in tw^ glass in front door removing putty and glass from one half inserting hand and turning lock ; br^ i * into an office by similar methods. Harold Pearson, Case No. 18 ( Vol. XI.), was sentenced as Harold Cave, at Mansion Ha^ Pol. Ct. ( L.), 7- 2- 1924, to 2 mos. impt., for unlawful possession of rings, bracelet, etc. ** LATEST INFORMATION. / Edward Hart, Case No. 174 ( Vol. I.), was liberated 13- 2- 1924, into the M. P. D. Intended address: 124, Camberwell Road, S. E. ' Henry James Duggan, Case No. 301 ( Vol. I.), was liberated 16- 2- 1924, to Liverpool. y Albert Henry Tate, Case No. 175 ( Vol. II.), was liberated 18- 2- 1924, to Sheffield. y Florence Elizabeth Gooderham, Case No. 39 ( Vol. III.), was liberated 16- 2- 1924, into the M. P. D. Intended address : 137, Whitfield Street, Tottenham Court Road. / Hubert Andrews, Case No. 117 ( Vol. III.), was liberated 4- 2- 1924, to Portsmouth. Fred Sullivan, Case No. 174 ( Vol. III.), was liberated 7- 2- 1924, to Newcastle- on- Tyne. J George Arnold, Case No. 345 ( Vol. III.), was liberated 9- 2- 1924, into the M. P. D. Intended address : 3, Buckland House, Oxford Road, Barnsbury. Edward Leonard Oliffe, Case No. 214 ( Vol. IV.), was liberated, 6- 2- 1924, into the M. P. D. Intended address : 55, Greek Street, Soho. J Arthur Graham, Case No. 36 ( Vol. V.), was liberated 12- 2- 1924, into the M. P. D. Intended address : 243, Sherringham Avenue, East Ham. J Jack Baker, Case No. Ill ( Vol. V.), was liberated on p. d. licence, 12- 2- 1924. James Grant, Case No. Ill ( Vol. VI.), was liberated on licence, 25- 2- 1924, to Plymouth. j Henry Highams, Case No. 195 ( Vol. VII.), was liberated on licence, 5- 2- 1924, into the M. P. D. * ^ Albert Oertel, Case No. 128 ( Vol. IX.), was liberated 21- 2- 1924, into the M. P. D. Intended address : 37, Little Street, Blackfriars. ^ Bernard Taggart, Case No. 72 ( Vol. X.), was liberated 16- 2- 1924, to Blackpool. 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. Printed and Published for Ilia Majesty's Matiouery Office by the liecener for the Metropolitan f olice District. New iScotla< id \ anl, London, S. W. I.