CONFIDENTIAL SUPPLEMENT A I No. 7. FRIDAY, MARCH 28, 1924 Vol. XI. RIGHT FOREFINGER PRINT UNLESS OTHERWISE STATED ——^. . CONFIDENTIAL THE POLICE Supplement A GAZETTE No. 7. FRIDAY, MARCH 28, 1924. Vol. XI. EXPERT AND TRAVELLING CRIMINALS. 120. Harold Coombe, aliases Georges Harold Coombe, Frederick Goss, Harold Bailey, Harold Coombes, Gerald Chard, Gregory, Rev. Harold Bailey, Rev. Scholar, Rev. C. E. L. Cowan, Rev. Clarke, Rev. Chande, Rev. Carr and Captain Goss, C. R. O. No. 7093- 1920. Description : B. ( Falmouth) 1892, 6ft., c. sallow, h. brown, e. blue, mole rt. of chin. Personal Weaknesses, Peculiarities, etc. : Well educated ; quiet and refined in manner ; fond of carrying his cap in his hand and wearing clerical attire ; sometimes wore clerical jacket, waistcoat, collar and front, cross hanging from a leather guard, khaki breeches and puttees, and dk. grey cap. Sentenced at Berks Ass., 26- 5- 1923, to 9 mos. impt. for false pretences. Liberated ( on pol. supn., under former sentence, which expires 12- 4- 1924), 7- 2- 1924, to Oxford. Pre. con. of larceny, sacrilege, false pretences, obtaining credit by fraud at CHIPPING SODBURY, PORT- MADOC, BEAUMARIS, GLOUCESTER, PENRHYN, EAST DEREHAM and BEVERLEY. When convicted in 1922, twenty- three warrants from other towns were taken into consideration when sentence was passed. A sanctimonious criminal who has made a speciality of committing offences under the guise of a clergyman. * Method— ( i) Ordered a meal at a hotel, cafe or shop, and having consumed same pretended to have lost his purse or wallet, stated he was residing at, or vicar of, a certain place, that he was meeting friends in the neighbourhood and would return to pay the bill ; by his plausibility and ingratiating manner he won the sympathy of his dupes and frequently obtained a loan before leaving the premises. ( ii) Called at the houses of two clergymen, who at the time were out, and was told he could see them later ; went to the railway station, represented himself to be the Rev. H. Bailey, St. Marks, Welwyn, Herts, induced the booking clerk to let him have a ticket to London and borrowed two shillings. ( iii) As the Rev. C. E. L. Cowan, stayed at a boarding house, left without settling his account and was strongly suspected of stealing an overcoat. ( iv) Ordered wearing apparel and groceries from shopkeepers ; after the goods had been wrapped up he made a pretence of searching his pockets, stated he had left his money at home, that he was yachting on the river or camping out close by, and induced his victims to allow him to take the goods away. ( v) Dressed in ordinary attire, called at a house, ordered and was supplied with tea, and having consumed same asked for the bill ; stated he had left his purse at his hotel and would forward the money the following day. After he had gone certain property was missed and when arrested it was found in his possession. ( vi) Purporting to be engaged on survey work, called at a lodging house and secured accommodation for himself and a colleague, who, he alleged, would call later with the luggage. Telegraphed to the supposed colleague the address of the new lodgings, stayed the night, and the following evening stated his colleague could not arrive for a few days, asked for the loan of a book, disappeared without paying for his board and lodgings and failed to return the book. ( vii) Stole an altar cloth, also money from offertory boxes. The portrait is a good likeness. Specimen of handwriting at C. R. O. Subsequent history .../^ h E. A. 121. George Robert Swindon, aliases Frank Redfern, Joseph Austin Swinton, George Hall, George Mason and Frederick Furness, C. R. O. No. 3740- 1916. Description : B. ( Lincoln) 1880, 5ft. 5fin., c. fresh, h. It. brown, e. brown, mole rt. cheek. Sentenced at Bow Street Pol. Ct. ( L.), 10- 9- 1923, to 6 mos. impt., for larceny. Liberated, 9- 2- 1924, into the M. P. D. Pre. con. of larceny at ABINGDON, MAIDENHEAD and on C and D. Method— ( i) With a confederate stole two suit- cases from the platform of a railway station. ( ii) Stole an overcoat hanging on a peg in a club room whilst the owner was playing a game of billiards ; also an overcoat from a restaurant. ( iii) Entered a hotel and stole a suit- case from the cloak room. Stole a trunk and contents, valued at £ 135, from a hotel. ( iv) Whilst employed as a temporary waiter at a hotel absconded with a £ 5 note given him itx payment of a bill. ( v) Stole a cash- box from the office of a hotel where he was employed as a porter. ( vi) Stole money, etc., from a public- house till. Associate : Edward Graham, C. R. O. No. 19201- 1918 ( who has been convicted with him)^ The portrait is a good likeness. Specimen of handwriting at C. R. O. Subsequent historyL./ Afj:. rf. L cifivdMi. l, fl: U. c. gL & A M l)/ it llI ^ Mjb i/ o'ito Xat^ JS^ 122. Alfred Wright Bennett, aliases Arthur Alfred Gutter, Frederick Dunn, Douglas Westlake, Har^ St. John Clarke, Alfred Edward West, Frederick Norman, Frank Wootton, Frank Morgan, J. Floy^ Alfred Agutter, Captain G. Bennett, Lieut. Clarke, R. A. F., Captain Westlake, R. A. F., and Lieiu* Frederick Payne, R. F. C., C. R. O. No. 44- 1924. Description : B. ( says, India, London, Towcester) 1892, 5ft. 7| in., c. fresh, h. brown, e. grey scar bridge of nose, George and dragon, woman's head, etc., rt., crucifix, flowers, etc., 1. forearm. Personal Weaknesses, Peculiarities, etc. : Very plausible. Has pleaded that he was an epileptic and not aware of what he was doing when he committed offences. Sentenced at C. C. C., 30- 1- 1923, to 15 mos. impt., for false pretences. Liberated, 14- 2- 1924, into the M. P. D. Pre. con. of fraud, larceny and minor offences at NEWARK, PETERBOROUGH and on C, K, R and W. Has also committed offences at Brighton, Crowborough and Northampton. Method— ( i) Posed as Captain G. Bennett, trainer of race- horses at Epsom, or represented himself to be some person of importance in the racing world, hired taxi cabs, purported to send telegrams or telephonic messages to prominent racing people, borrowed money from the drivers under the pretext that he had no change and got rid of his victims by despatching them to fictitious addresses. Obtained money from people interested in racing by a similar tale. Sometimes posed as Frank Wootton, Frank Morgan and J. Floyd, well- known jockeys. ( ii) Was entrusted with money to pay a bill and converted the money to his own use. Stated he was Lieut. Clarke, son of Major Clarke, D. S. O., and obtained money, from an acquaintance, by alleging he had an account at Cox's Bank and would give victim a cheque for the money the following morning. Obtained money by pretending he could secure his victim a situation as porter at the Board of Trade, where he ( Bennett) alleged he held an appointment. ( iii) Posed as a flight sergeant attached to the Disposal Board, obtained food and lodgings, represented he was to receive a considerable sum as gratuity and about to take up an important position at the Air Ministry. Promised to obtain a situation for the landlord at the Air Force works, Woking, courted the daughter and on the strength of his statements they gave up their situations. Borrowed money from his dupes and failed to pay his account. ( iv) Hired motor cars and paid for same with worthless cheques. Stayed at an hotel as Lieut. Frederick Payne, R. F. C., stated he had just returned from Russia and left the hotel without paying his bill. Obtained refreshment at a hotel and induced the cashier to change a worthless cheque. ( v) A telephone message was received at a hotel stating caller's son, Captain Westlake, would arrive later and he be informed that his father was away from home ; if stranded the son was to stay at the hotel and meet his father next day. Shortly afterwards Bennett accompanied by a man and two women called at the hotel. He was given the message, made a pretence of being annoyed, remained at the hotel during the afternoon, constantly using the telephone, and induced the proprietress to cash a worthless cheque which he signed D. Westlake, Captain, R. A. F. Left the hotel stating his intention of returning for dinner, but failed to do so. Has been convicted of illegally wearing military decorations and the uniform of an officer of the Royal Air Force. The portrait is a good likeness. Specimen of handwriting at C. R. O. QM vd v. csi IUIkm. li/ fzr. Subsequent history ! J^ J^. Jl. Jxlk, Lhffi^ 123. Richard Parr, alias Freeke Parr, C. R. O. No. 1798- 1901. Description : B. ( Cardiff^ 1879, 5ft. 3£ in., c. sallow, h. It. brown ( thin on top), e. blue, scar rt. cheek, butterfly rt., dragon 1. forearm, star rt., butterfly 1. hand, ring 3rd rt. and 1. fingers. Personal Weaknesses, Peculiarities, etc. : Addicted to drink ; fond of singing and reciting in public houses. Sentenced at Cardiff ( Co.) Ass., 10- 11- 1921, to 3 yrs. pen., for countinghousebreakir*^ Liberated on licence, 8- 2- 1924, to Swansea. Pre. coil, of larceny, eyclestealing, forgery, fal£^ pretences and shopbreaking, at CARDIFF, PONTYPOOL, NEWPORT ( Mon.) and NORTI*' AMPTON. Has worked as a seaman and may commit offences at the port where he lands ; does no* confine himself to any particular class of crime. Method— ( i) Whilst employed by a railway company he had access to the key of office door which he opened and then unfastened a window from the inside so as to make it appear that an entry had been effected through the open window. ( ii) Stole a cheque book from an office at the barracks where he was stationed, forged the signatuTe of the officer to whom the book belonged and cashed the cheques with a publican and a tradesman after the banks had closed by representing that his officer had sent him for change. || ( iii) Stole cash from his lodgings ; obtained money and goods by means of a forged seaman's advance ^ note ; has been three times convicted of cyclestealing as bailee, etc. Specimen of handwriting at C. R. O. Subsequent history 124. James Edward Bootman, aliases James Bootman, Edward Bootman, James Edward Blackwell and Stanley Blackwell, C. R. O. No. 5207- 1918. Description : B. ( London) 1900, 5ft. 8in., c. fresh, h. dk. brown, e. brown. Sentenced at Dundee Sheriff Ct., 18- 9- 1923, to 6 mos. impt., for theft by housebreaking. Liberated, 19- 2- 1924, into the M. P. D. Pre. con. of shopbreaking, larceny, receiving and minor offences at CRANBROOK, PEWSEY and on E and Y. Method— ( i) With another man deserted from the Gordon Highlanders and made their way by goods train and motor lorry to a distant town. During the evening effected entry into a temporarily vacant villa by placing a ladder, found in the grounds, against a window and pushing back the catch. Changed their uniforms, etc., for suits and underclothing, consumed food, stayed overnight, were discovered in the morning and arrested. A sum of money, silver cigarette- case, etc., which had been stolen were found in their possession. ( ii) With a confederate was found in possession of magnetos and other property the proceeds of a case of garage- breaking. ( iii) Whilst acting as servant to an Army officer absconded with money entrusted to him. ( iv) Was found in the garden at the rear of a house, with a confederate, tampering with a door. ( v) Stole property belonging to other lodgers at a Y. M. C. A. hostel. ( vi) With three confederates forced window and doors of a shop with a chisel and stole money, ciga.^ and cigarettes. ( vii) Stole a bicycle from a field where it had been left temporarily unattended by the owner. Associates : Thomas Raymond, C. R. O. No. 4732- 1918 ( now in pen.), Edwin Davis, C. R. O. No. 5185- 1918, Albert Jenkins, C. R. O. No. 21562- 1918, George Nicholls, C. R. O. No. 1681- 1919, Henry E. Summerhayes, C. R. O. No. 7046- 1919, Alfred Henry Pearce, C. R. O. No. 1311- 1920, and Thomas Walter Rowe, C. R. O. No. 16761- 1920 ( who have been convicted with him). The portrait is a good likeness. Specimen of handwriting at C. R. O. Subsequent history. A A A 125. Marion Lucy Fishwick, aliases Marion Lucie Sexton, Margaret Ashton, Margaret Butler, Margaret Williams and Margaret Lane, C. R. O. No. 16724- 1919. Description : B. ( Brierley Hill) 1895, 4ft. lHin., c. pale, h. brown ( dyed red), e. blue. Personal Weaknesses, Peculiarities, etc. : Well spoken ; north country accent; slim build ; sharp features ; walks quickly. Sentenced at Birmingham Sess., 30- 4- 1923, to 9 mos. impt. for larceny. Subsequently sentenced at C. C. C., 26- 6- 1923, to 10 mos. impt. ( conc. with former sentence, 1 mo. remitted by Secretary of State), for larceny ( 5 cases). Liberated 9- 2- 1924, to Brierley Hill. Pre. con. of bigamy and false pretences on B. Seven other cases in the M. P. D. were taken into consideration when sentence was passed. * Method— ( i) Called at houses in answer to advertisements appearing in the daily press or after making applica" tion at a servants' agency and obtained situations as domestic servant by presenting false references chiefly supplied by William Mellett, C. R. O. No. 2819- 1922 ( now in prison). At the earliest opportune moment— in one case within three hours of taking up the situation— after ascertaining where the jewellery or other valuables were kept she let her husband, Jack Fishwick, C. R. O. No. 6215- 1921 ( convicted with her and now in prison) into the house, and having collected as much jewellery, etc., as possible, immediately absconded. When convicted at the C. C. C., as stated above, the stolen jewellery and clothing was valued at £ 3000. In the case of false pretences she bigamously married Jack Fishwick, then an Australian soldier, drew the separation allowance in respect of her legal husband and also an allowance from the Australian forces. Disposed of property to William Mellett, C. R. O. No. 2819- 1922, and pawnbrokers. The portrait is a good likeness. Specimen of handwriting at C. R. O. The following persons who have already appeared in Supplement A have been re- convicted as follows— * 126. Harry Granville, Case No. 201 ( Vol. I.), was sentenced as Harry Clough, at Chester Castle ( Co.) Pol. Ct., 5- 3- 1924, to 6 mos. impt., for larceny. Posed as groundsman to visiting football team and rifled the players' pockets. ^ 127. Harry Pile, Case No. 252 ( Vol. I.), was sentenced as Henry Harry Wilson, at Lambeth Pol. Ct. ( L.), 5- 3- 1924, to 6 mos. impt., for stealing ladies' underclothing, etc. Method as in first part ( iii) original case. ^ 128. Albert Tivendale, Case No. 299 ( Vol. II.), was sentenced as Thomas Tivendale, at C. C. C., 28- 2- 1924, to 9 mos. impt., for forging and uttering telegrams ( 2 cases). JMethod as in Case No. 27 ( Vol. VIII.). Used the name of Berenger St. Bruyere. ^ 129. Fred Sullivan, Case No. 174 ( Vol. III.), was sentenced as Percy Browning, at Reigate P. Sess., 23- 2- 1924. to 6 mos. impt., for larceny. Called on a missionary for deaf and dumb people and was found lodgings ; remained a fewr days and absconded without paying for his board, and stole money, clothing, etc. A warrant for larceny at Bury St. Edmunds was taken into consideration when sentence was passed ^ 130. George Stanley Wilson, Case No. 63 ( Vol. IV.), was sentenced at Islington ( Liverpool), Pol. Ct., 18- 1- 1924, to 3 mos. impt., for false pretences. Eleven other cases were taken into consideration when sentence was passed. Subsequently sentenced at Chester Ass., 26- 2- 1924, to 12 mos. impt. ( conc.) ( 2 cases), for false pretences. Method similar to previous cases. In one instance, made out a cheque to complainant for £ 5 and obtained £ 1, and left stating he would fetch his gear from the ship. ^ 131. Sarah Adelaide Farrar, Case No. 233 ( Vol. IV.), was sentenced as Sarah Adelaide Hodgson or Turner, at Edinburgh Sheriff Ct., 22- 2- 1924, to 18 mos. impt., for larceny ( 2 cases). Method as in original case. ^ 132. William Marsden Clay, Case No. 250 ( Vol. IV.), was sentenced as William Marsden Claye, at Ashton- under- Lyne P. Sess., 6- 3- 1924, to 6 and 6 mos. impt. ( cons.) and 6 mos. impt. ( conc.), for false pretences ( 3 cases). Method as in original case. ^ 133. William Richard Finney, Case No. 403 ( Vol. IV.), was sentenced at Stoke- on- Trent Sess., 12- 2- 1924, to 3 yrs. pen. ( conc.), for burglary ( 2 cases). Forced catch of windows. Left his lodgings stating he was going to work on the night shift. When arrested had his snapping tin and water bottle with him and his face blackened as though he had been working as a miner. 134. Evelyn Robson, Case No. 65 ( Vol. V.), was sentenced as Amelia Warner, at C. L. S., 5- 3- 1924, to 21 mos. impt., for larceny. Employed as housekeeper and stole underclothing, etc., during absence of mistress. ^ Alice Louisa Glassbrook, Case No. 145 ( Vol. V.), was sentenced at Coventry Pol. Ct., 3- 3- 1924, to 3 mos. impt., for larceny. Made a purchase at a butcher's shop and paid for same. Asked the shopman if he would give her two £ 1 notes for two pounds' worth of silver, and whilst he was checking the money she withdrew one of the notes which the shopman had put on the counter and alleged he had only given her one. ^ 135. Lewis Hunt, Case No. 262 ( Vol. V.), was sentenced as Robert Earle, at C. L. S., 25- 2- 1924, to 21 mos. impt. for false pretences. Obtained £ 80 from loser who had advertised for a business opening by representing he had paid a deposit of £ 2300 on certain mines and ranches in British Colunbia owned by a Mrs. Proctor, was about to form a company and would appoint loser as secretary. 136. George Brooker, Case No. 288 ( Vol. V ,, was sentenced as Edward White, at Tower Bridge P01. Ct. ( L.), 8- 3- 1924, to 3 mos. impt., for larceny. Tendered a two- shilling piece in payment of a packet of cigarettes, disputed the change and received an additional sixpence. 137. Henry John Day, Case No. 297 ( Vol. V.), was sentenced as Harry Young, at C. C. C., 5- 3- 1924, to 3 yrs. pen. and 5 yrs. p. d., for possessing and uttering counterfeit coin, possessing implement for making same and being a h. c. John Day, no pre. con. known, and Eleanor Day, C. R. O. No. 4329- 1924, were convicted with him. 138. Amy Grieve, Case No. 383 ( Vol. V.), was sentenced as May Maitland, at C. L. S., 20- 2- 1924, to 12 mos. impt., for larceny. Was sent from a registry office to a house to apply for a situation as cook and when left alone stole a suit- case. 139. Albert Fing, Case No. 423 ( Vol. V.), was sentenced as Alexander King, at Guildhall Pol. Ct. ( L.), 20- 2- 1924, to 3 mos. impt., for larceny ( person). 140. Harry Clifton, Case No. 250 ( Vol. VIII.), was sentenced as James Rice, at C. C. C., 26- 2- 1924, to 15 mos. impt., for larceny ( trick) and larceny ( lodger). Five other cases were taken into considera- tion when sentence was passed. Answered advertisement for lodgings, obtained £ 10, giving as security an application form for withdrawal of War Savings certificates, stole clothes and an attache- case of a fellow lodger from a bedroom. Samuel Horton, Case No. 46 ( Vol. IX.), was sentenced as Samuel Horton Williams, at Bir- mingham Pol. Ct., 28- 2- 1924, to 1 yr's. impt., under the P. C. Act. Was seen to enter a church and attempt to open an offertory box with a bunch of keys. Had a bicycle in his possession. 141. Paddy Walsh, Case No. 81 ( Vol. IX.), was sentenced as Patrick Fitzgerald, at C. L. S., 4- 3- 1924, to 3 yrs. pen., for burglary ( forcing kitchen window). Ernest John Jordan, C. R. O. No. 10849- 1916, was convicted with him. 142. Robert Matthews, Case No. 241 ( Vol. IX.), was sentenced at Lewes Ass., 3- 3- 1924, to 3 yrs. pen., for larceny. Obtained a situation as cook by false character and whilst left alone opened drawers in bedroom with a false key during absence of employer and stole jewellery and money to the value of £ 200. 143. Charles Clare, Case No. 348 ( Vol. IX.), was sentenced as Charles Day, at C. L. S., 19- 2- 1924, to 12 mos. impt., for housebreaking. Accompanied by two confederates was seen to leave a dwelling house the door of which had been forced with a jemmy. 144. Fred Hayton, Case No, 81 ( Vol. V.), and list of re- convictions, 7- 12- 1923, was sentenced as Arthur Weemys Grant. LATEST INFORMATION. ^ Alfred Cecil Morton, Case No. 65 ( Vol. II.), was removed to Rampton State Institution, by- order of Secretary of State, 6- 3- 1924, having been certified as a mental defective. i/ George Edward Gordon, Case No. 267 ( Vol. II.), was liberated, 12- 3- 1924, into the M. P. D. Intended address : 14, Knowle Street, Islington. Edward Talbot, Case No. 5 ( Vol. III.), was liberated 8- 3- 1924, to Birmingham. James Hyde, Case No. 64 ( Vol. III.), was liberated, 10- 3- 1924, to Nottingham. George Fowler, Case No. 6 ( Vol. IV.), was liberated on licence, 14- 3- 1924, to Bradford. ^ Fred Hayton, Case No. 81 ( Vol. V.), was liberated, 4- 2- 1924, to Nottingham. t/ 13reorge Phillip Ellis, Case No. 65 ( Vol. VI.), was liberated, 8- 3- 1924, to Crawley, Sussex. s Charles Sayers, Case No. 34 ( Vol. VII.), was liberated on second licence, 11- 3- 1924, into the M. P. D., having been sentenced at Glasgow Sheriff Ct., 10- 5- 1923, to 12 mos. impt. ( remanet of former sentence), for theft from a house. U^ ohn Thompson, Case No. 348 ( Vol. VII.), was liberated on expiration of sentence, 5- 3- 1924, into the M. P. D. ^ Fred Garner, Case No. 207 ( Vol. VIII.), was liberated, 15- 3- 1924, to Norwich. Harry Dickson, Case No. 220 ( Vol. VIII.), was liberated, 8- 3- 1924, to Southampton. iS John James Haslam, Case No. 115 ( Vol. X.), was liberated, 22- 3- 1924, to Bury. * Robert William Gunter, Case No. 320 ( Vol. X.), was liberated, 19- 3- 1924, into the M. P. D- Intended address : 24, Drayton Gardens, South Kensington. 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 Publishel for His Majesty's Stationery Office by the Recener for the Metropolitan 1 olice District, New fcicotlaod Yard, London, S. W. I.