CONFIDENTIAL SUPPLEMENT A No. 25. FRIDAY, DECEMBER 5. 1924. Vol. XI. RIGHT FOREFINGER PRINT UNLESS OTHERWISE STATED. CONFIDENTIAL Supplement A THE POLICE GAZETTE No. 25. FRIDAY, DECEMBER 5, 1924. Vol. XI. EXPERT AND TRAVELLING CRIMINALS. 162. Thomas James Pursell, aliases Edgar Lee Thomas Pursell. James Willis. James Wallis, J Thomas, Thomas Hillyer, Thomas Hilder, M. F. Marshall, T. Marshall. H. Bloomfield, T. F. Bloomfield, H. Marshall & Co., and Mrs. Thomas, C. R. O. No. S/ 1315( M. Description : B. ( London) 1877. 5ft. 8in., c. fair, h. dk. brown, e. grey, scar rt. side of fore- head and first 1. finger. Personal Weaknesses, Peculiarities, etc. : Speaks quietly. Sentenced at Westminster Pol. Ct. ( L.), 24- 1- 1924, to 6 and 6 mos. impt. ( cons.) for false pretences ( 2 cases) Liberated, 24- 11- 1924, into the M. P. D. Pre. con. of false pretences and minor offences at NUNEATON, BOURNEMOUTH and on W. Method - ( i) For some considerable time this man has been a source of trouble and has systematically defrauded the public in all parts of the country, lie has traded under different names and from various addresses. Advertised in the " Poultry and Poultry World,' offering for sale poultry houses, egg boxes, etc., and after receiving money with the orders failed to forward the goods. When complaints became too numerous and he was interviewed by police, in some cases he forwarded the goods in order to allay suspicion and, if possible, prevent any likelihood of a prosecution. The business at that particular address was eventually closed down ; in some instances he left and failed to pay the rent. Occasionally he advertised for poultry, etc., and on receipt of the birds refrained from sending the money. ( ii) In con. quoted he defrauded persons by advertising in the daily press for men willing to learn the plastering trade, a premium of £ 10 being required. He then falsely represented to the applicants that he had contracts in various parts of London and that he was willing to pay them at a certain rate per hour ; in consequence of this bogus story he induced persons to pay the premium. Subse- quently it transpired that the work and rate of pay were not forthcoming but the premium was not returned. ( iii) Opened a banking account which he closed a month afterwards, later filled in some of the remaining unused cheques and induced tradesmen to cash them. ( iv) Answered advertisements in the daily press inserted by persons seeking employment and in which it was shown that a sum of money would be deposited as security, offered them employment at a mentioned weekly salary and stipulated that a deposit of a certain sum would be required and which would be returnable on termination of agreement. Several were engaged and work found for a short time. Later difficulties arose for the workmen to obtain their wages, thus causing a rupture and an abrupt ending to the agreement, but Pursell retained the^ nioney deposited. The portrait is a good likeness. Specimen of handwriting at C. R. O. Subsequent history. A 463. John Harrison Wallace, aliases John Wallace, Richard William Medcalfe and John Foster, C. R. O No. 1090- 1910. Description : B. ( Newcastle) 1878, 5ft. 3in., c. fresh, h. grey, e. brown ( rt defective), scar bridge of nose, back deformed. Personal Weaknesses, Peculiarities, etc. : Speaks very quietly. Sentenced at Clerkenwell Pol. Ct. ( L.), 11- 10- 1923, to 6 mos. impt. for larceny. Liberate^ 12- 3- 1924, into the M. P. D. Pre. con. of larceny, cyclestealing and false pretences and a subsequent conviction of a minor offence at NEWCASTLE- UPON- TYNE and on D, P and R. Commits larcenies from lodgings, cricket pavilions and railway stations. Method- ( i) In the con. quoted he was seen in the early evening leaving a railway station carrying a suit- ca^ When questioned he stated he had just arrived from Manchester and the case was his property It was subsequently found to have been stolen whilst left temporarily unattended on the platfor^' ( ii) Obtained lodgings and stole life insurance policies, a watch and clothing during the absence of owners. ( iii) Entered pavilions whilst a match was in progress and stole money from the players' pockets. ( iv) Stole bicycles left unattended in the streets. Disposed of property to pawnbrokers. The portrait is a good likeness. Specimen of handwriting at C. R. O. Subsequent historyCr.^ h}.. X^. Qri. j^ l!.*... J. ty...... CrJjf....^ J^. X c. & z f Cji UdL^ tJ^ ij^' i. Ac rZ. i 464. Philip Raymond Hopgood, aliases Arthur Henry Whiston, Albert Henry Cookson, Henry Arthur Whiston and Reginald Andrews, C. R. O. No. 368- 1906. Description : B. ( says, Liverpool and Canada) 1881, 5ft. 2in., c. fresh, h. brown, e. hazel. Sentenced at Wood Green P. Sess. ( L.), 12- 9- 1924, to 3 mos. impt. for attempting to obtain money by false pretences. Liberated, 27- 11- 1924, into the M. P. D. Pre. con. of cyclestealing, larceny, false pretences, embezzlement and minor offences at BIRKENHEAD, LIVERPOOL, BRISTOL, CALLINGTON, MACCLESFIELD, MANCHESTER, MARLBOROUGH, ALNWICK, YORK, EDINBURGH, WOKINGHAM, WINDSOR, ANDOVER and on P. ( i) Endeavoured to induce a clergyman to advance the sum of £ 2 by stating he had been sent by a lady and the money was required to pay his railway fare to a distant town. On another occasion he obtained money by stating he had just been released from prison and was in need of the money to enable him to reach a distant town, where he had obtained employment ( false). ( ii) Obtained lodgings and stole articles of jewellery. ( iii) Stole a horse, saddle and bridle. Has also stolen a watch and chain from a dwelling house. ( iv) Whilst employed as a carman he collected money on behalf of his employer and failed to account for it. ( v) Called upon a clergyman, falsely represented himself as an absentee from his unit, alleged he had run away in order to attend a funeral at a certain town, and obtained £ 1, which he stated was required to enable him to return. ( vi) Following the occupation of a chauffeur, during the absence of his employer he absconded with a suit- case, etc. The portrait is a good likeness. Specimen of handwriting at C. R. O. 485. Herbert Quinton, aliases Herbert Quainton, Herbert Edward Quainton, Herbert Edwin Quainton, Thomas Sinkinson, Herbert Edward Quintain, Herbert Beckett, Bertram Vaughan and Clarence Vaughan, C. R. O. No. 1936- 1906. Description : B. ( Steeple Claydon) 1882, 5ft. 8Jin., c. fresh, h. brown, e. blue, scar bridge of nose, two moles 1. side of face, ship, two flags, crossed hands and wreath rt. forearm. Personal Weaknesses, Peculiarities, etc. : Smart gait; very plausible ; well educated. Method- Subsequent history Personal Weaknesses, Peculiarities, etc. : Smart appearance, speaks with a North Country accent. Sentenced at Bedford Sess., 5- 1- 1021, to 5 yrs. pen. and 5 yrs. poi. supn. for larceny. Liberated on licence, 21- 10- 1924, into the M. P. D. Pre. con. of cyelestealing, larceny and false pretences at EAST NORTON, NORTH AM PTON, BUCKINGHAM, PENYBONT, BANGOR, BARNARD CASTLE, LOUTH and GLASGOW. A persistent and troublesome criminal, who calls upon boarding house keepers, publicans, etc., and obtains food and lodgings by false representations, and at the first opportunity absconds with jewellery, money, etc. He invariably relates the story that he is employed by the G. P. O., and has arrived in the district with a gang of men for the purpose of erecting telegraph poles, engaged on the telephone service or other repair works. At times he mentions that he is also seeking accommodation for the men. On several occasions it has so happened that men have been engaged in the district in connection with the G. P. O. work. ( i) Obtained lodgings by stating he was a foreman on the Government Telephone Service and was responsible for obtaining accommodation for several other men in a similar capacity ; he subse- quently absconded with jewellery and money. ( ii) Stole a bicycle whilst bailee ; he has also stolen a bicycle left temporarily unattended inside the gateway of a vicarage. ( iii) Called at an inn, stated he required lodgings for three men who were engaged erecting telegraph poles in the district, he then left, but returned again during the afternoon, when he partook of a meal ; after his departure money and cheques were missed from a drawer situated in the bar and which had been forced. ( iv) Falsely represented he was a railway foreman and was seeking lodgings for three men and himself, later entered a room as though retiring to bed, and forced open a chest and stole a quantity of ( v) Engaged lodgings and ascertained where the key of the house was usually left ; one morning, during the absence of the occupier, he returned, entered the house, and decamped with a sum Method— jewellery. of money. In some cases he has disposed of the goods to pawnbrokers and small jewellers. The portrait is a fairly good likeness. Specimen of handwriting at C. R. O. Subsequent history 4( 56. Rose Groves, alia* Rose Lilian Groves, C. R. O. No. 113- 1920. Description : 15. ( Cardiff) 1886, 4ft, 10in., c. fresh, h. and e. brown, mole 1. side of upper lip. Personal Weaknesses, Peculiarities, etc. : Plausible, smart appearance, well spoken. Sentenced at Norwich Sess., 14- 1- 1924, to 3, 3, 3 and 3 mos. impt. ( cons.), for larceny ( 4 cases). Liberated, 14- 11- 1924, to Norwich. Pre. con. of false pretences and larceny at CARDIFF, BRISTOL, HOVE, IPSWICH, WESTON- SUPER- MARE and on D. A criminal who obtains situations as chambermaid and then steals articles of value from the various bedrooms ; she is also a persistent shoplifter. Method— ( i) During the afternoon, at the time a sale was in progress, visited a draper's stores, removed a soft hat she was wearing and placed it in her attache case, tried on a new hat and continued to wear it, removed her coat, fitted on a woollen jacket and replaced her coat over it. From a show case she removed a blouse and placed it in her case, later she was detected and given into custody. ( ii) At the time she was employed in a town as a probationary nurse, during the daytime walked into school- houses in the district and stole clothing and jewellery. ( iii) Whilst employed as a chambermaid at a hotel, in the evening she walked into other hotels and boarding houses and stole jewellery, clothing, etc. On other occasions whilst employed in a similar capacity, during such time as she was temporarily relieved, which was usually in the early afternoon, she walked into ladies' high class private schools and stole articles of jewellery from the dormitories and bedrooms. Has also stolen from bedrooms at hotels whilst employed as chambermaid. ( iv) Obtained clothing by false pretences. ( v) Stole a ring whilst employed as a servant. Disposed of property at pawnbrokers' shops. Associate : Thomas Richard Alden, C. R. O. No. 1746- 1905. The portrait is a good likeness. Specimen of handwriting at C. R. O. c- fj ltd iijj. / ~ t7 L £ . CmfaC* v. /. s.£ 9. 4. u> tl. [/^, 467. Evelyn Margaret Robinson, aliases Eva Lawers, Evelyn Robinson and Evelyn Mary Robinson, C. R. O. No. 13338- 1918. Description : B. ( London) 1896, 5ft. 7in., c. fresh, h. It. brown, e. blue. Personal Weaknesses, Peculiarities, etc. : Walks erect, smart appearance, talks quietly, and is very plausible, an inveterate liar, fond of the company of Police Officers. Sentenced at Newcastle- upon- Tyne Pol Ct., 19- 5- 1924, to 6 mos. impt. for larceny. Liberated, 20- 10- 1924, into the M. P. D. Pre. con. of larceny, receiving, endeavouring to procure charitable contributions by fraud and a minor offence at WEYMOUTH, BRIGHTON, PORTS- MOUTH and on B; L, R and Y. An adventuress who has often attired herself as a nurse, wearing decorations, for the purpose of deceiving members of the public. She has persistently forced herself into the company of Police and to give confidence has interested herself in Police sports and charities ; has rendered assistance to officers when surrounded by a hostile crowd, and has offered herself as a witness after an accident had occurred, but being a person whose testimony is most unreliable makes her a dangerous person for association with Police. ( i) Assumed the role of a stranded traveller and obtained lodgings for one night at a Y. W. C. A. hostel. During breakfast time she entered an adjoining room and stole a valuable ring. ( ii) Walked into a Y. W. C. A. hostel and stole an attache- case from an ante- room and then decamped. ( iii) Obtained a street collecting box by false representations, then, attired as a nurse, visited various sports grounds and collected money which she represented was for the London Hospitals and other charities. ( iv) Visited a registry office for servants, obtained an address at which she subsequently called and was requested to wait, in the meantime she stole a watch and absconded. ( v) After making the acquaintance of a woman she was invited to her home, later, during her absence, Robinson entered the house and stole a sum of money. ( vi) Posed as an Army nurse, visited a hotel and related a pitiful story to a guest who afterwards invited her to share a room with her for the night. The following day, during the absence of the person who had befriended her, Robinson called at the hotel, deceived the officials there, obtained possession of a suit- case, etc., and absconded. ( vii) Accompanied by a man, whom she represented to be her brother, engaged lodgings, stayed two days, and then decamped taking with her a £ 1 Treasury note. ( viii) Stole a lady's coat whilst attending a dance at certain barracks where she had been invited. Has also attempted to obtain attache- cases from officials of a railway station by advancing a bogus story. Method— Has disposed of some of the goods to pawnbrokers. The portrait is a good likeness. Specimen of handwriting at C. R. O. Z5 ££ ^ 6 ubeeq uent history. !. I. ( f. JL. . FY... .^. t.. Xjt, A The following persons who have already appeared in Supplement A have been re- convicted as follows-- ^ Ellen Barrington, Case No. 25 ( Vol. II.), was sentenced at Westminster Pol. Ct. ( L.), 8- 11- 1024, to 3 mos. impt. for stealing a lady's handbag from a shop counter. I 468. William Wilson, Case No. 55 ( Vol. II.), was sentenced as Thomas King, at Wexford Circuit Ct., 16- 10- 1924, to 9 mos. impt. for false pretences ( 3 cases). Used name of Captain King and posed as a wealthy ship owner ; stated he had a large cargo of coal in a ship which was lying off the coast and which he was to sell to farmers and shopkeepers at 19s. per ton : subsequently obtained board, lodgings and money. 469. Thomas Ambrose, Case No. 51 ( Vol. IV.), was sentenced as Thomas Hatton, at Liverpool Pol. Ct., ^ 5- 11- 1924, to 3 mos. impt. for larceny. Entered the lavatory of a first class hotel and extracted a wallet from the pocket of an overcoat whu h was hanging on a hook whilst loser was washing his hands. 470. Frederick Baker Campbell, Case No. 287 ( Vol. IV.), was sentenced as Robert Stanley Crawford, at iX C. C. C., 12- 11- 1924, to 20 mos. impt. for larceny ( 2 cases) and obtaining goods by worthless cheque, ( i) Casually met a servant girl in Hyde Park, stayed the night with her at her employer's premises and in the morning absconded with suit- cases and contents, ( ii) Obtained a pair of shoes and for payment of same tendered a cheque which had been stolen. Thirty- eight outstanding| cases for larceny, fraud ( worthless cheque), attempted fraud, forgery and false pretences at Heme Bay. Felixstowe, Newmarket, Ryde. Bournemouth. Southsea, Littlehampton, Liverpool, Westbury, in the City of London and M. P. D. were taken into consideration when sentence was passed. 47L Emily Bickers. Case No. 225 ( Vol. V.), was sentenced at Hants. Ass., 17- 11- 1924, to 15 mos. impt. * for stealing jewellery and clothing. Accompanied by two children, called at houses under the pretence of begging and on finding the door open walked in and stole the property. John McCarthy, Case No. 260 ( Vol. V.), was sentenced as John Murray, at Croydon Pol. Ct. ( L.), 7- 11- 1924, to 12 mos. impt. under the Prevention of Crimes Act— loitering. 472/ John North, Case No. 350 ( Vol. V.), was sentenced as Roger North, at C. C. C., 12- 11- 1924, to 18 mos. / impt. for forging and uttering a cheque. Entered the show rooms of a firm of motor agents, posed as a titled person and selected a car, later at his request he was provided with a cheque form ; he then drew a cheque for £ 850 in favour of the firm. The cheque was subsequently returned marked No Account. 473. William Henry Vickers, Case No. 357 ( Vol. V.), was sentenced as William Vickers, at Poole P. Sess., , 7 20- 11- 1924, to 3 and 3 mos. impt. ( cons.), for larceny ( 2 cases), ( i) Unhooked show case from shop * door, smashed glass of same and stole watches, ( ii) Method as in ( ii) original case. ' Michael Sullivan, Case No. 4 ( Vol. VI.), was sentenced at Enfield P. Sess. ( L.), 3- 11- 1924, to 3 and 3 mos. impt. ( conc.) for larceny— welshing ( 2 cases). 474. George Williams, Case No. 197 ( Vol. fVI.), was sentenced as Thomas Waters, at Dorking Pol. ct., 13- 11- 1924, to 3 nios. impt. and licence forfeited for attempted false pretences and fading to report. Endeavoured to obtain money by stating lie had obtained employment as a chauffeur at a distant town, and required the money to enable him to reach there. < 7 Sidney Baxter, Case No. 230 ( Vol. VI.). Term of p. d. passed as shown in Case No. 405 ( Vol. XI.), has been quashed by Court of Criminal Appeal. George William Orwin, Case No. 232 ( Vol. VI.), was sentenced as George Orwin at C. L. S., 18- 11- 1924, to 21 mos. impt. for stealing a suit- case, etc., the property of a fellow lodger. A case of larceny on E was taken into consideration when sentence was passed. 475. George Richard Webster, Case No. 83 ( Vol. VII.), was, as George Foster, at the C. C. C., 12- 11- 1924, bound over in his own recognizances of £ 5 for 12 mos. for burglary and attempted house- breaking. ( 1) Broke glass panel of front door and released the catch. ( 2) Attempted to force the scullery window at the rear of a dwelling house. Frank William Bailey, Case No. 60 ( Vol. VIII.), was sentenced as Francis Hewitt Hatton at Birmingham Pol. Ct., 14- 11- 1924, to 3 mos. impt. for loitering. 476. Michael Joseph Roche, Case No. Ill ( Vol. VIII.), was sentenced as Ulick Burke at Tower [/^ Bridge Pol. Ct. ( L.), 6- 11- 24, to 3, 3 and 3 mos. impt. ( cons.) for false pretences ( 3 cases). Obtained possession of a stolen cheque book and then obtained goods from tradesmen by means of worthless cheques. Six cases of fraud and one of larceny were taken into consideration when sentence was passed. 477. Abraham Leveson, Case No. 329 ( Vol. VIII.), was sentenced as Davis Herris at Essex Ass., ^ 6- 11- 1924, to 5 yrs. pen. for possessing housebreaking implements by night. 478. Jacob Keith Lincoln, [ Case No. 57 ( Vol. X.), was sentenced as John Simpson Mitchell at Aberdeen Sheriff and Jury Ct., 17- 11- 1924, to 18 mos. impt. for obtaining £ 6 by fraud. Induced a Sub- Librarian to advance money by representing that he was a journalist on the staff of the Chicago Tribune, that he had written two novels, and that the bank was closed when he called. Thomas Murray, Case No. 118 ( Vol. X.), was sentenced at Sleaford P. Sess., 17- 11- 1924, to 3 mos. impt. for wilful damage to plate glass window. 479. Alexander Ashcroft, Case No. 263 ( Vol. XI.), was sentenced as Alexander Farmer, at Kingston tx p. Sess. ( L), 8- 11- 1924, to 3 and 3 mos. impt. ( cons.), for larceny ( 2 cases). ( 1) Entered a shed at a hotel and stole a jacket and vest. ( 2) Stole coats, etc. from a motor car left unattended in the street. Alexander Prior, C. R. O. No. 18085- 1924, was convicted with him. Edwin Boothby, Case No. 333 ( Vol. XI.), was sentenced at Douglas General Gaol Delivery Ct., 13- 11- 1924, to 2 yrs. impt. for obtaining money by false pretences ( 3 cases). Method as in ( i) original case. 480. George Smith, Case No. 334 ( Vol. XL), was sentenced as George Knight, at Bristol Ass., 10- 11- 1924, ^ to 18 mos. impt. for shopbreaking. Effected entrance to a jeweller's lock- up shop by climbing rails at rear of adjoining premises which he entered by removing a portion of glass from a window on the ground floor and releasing the catch, then proceeding to the roof of shop and taking a pane of glass from attic window, proceeding downstairs and forcing lock and safety bar of grill gate leading to the shop. LATEST INFORMATION John Weston, Case No. 86 ( Vol. I.), was liberated, 2- 12- 1924, into the M. P. D. William Dwyer, Case No. 85 ( Vol. IV.), was liberated, 20.11- 1924, into the M. P. D. Intended address : 35, St. Silas Street, Kentish Town. c William Lindsey, Case No. 97 ( Vol. IV ), was liberated, 26- 11- 1924, to Portsmouth. ^ Edward Bucknall, Case No. 213 ( Vol. IV.), died in Highgate Infirmary, 25- 6- 1924. V Herbert Ebborn Moon, Case No. 241 ( Vol. IV.), was liberated, 2- 12- 1924, to Swansea. t/ Thomas Davis, Case No. 80 ( Vol. IX.), was liberated, 29- 11- 1924, into the M. P. D. 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 otlence, 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. ' II • lll « l Ii I J- aMa^.^. JI vr/ •• Friuted aud Puulialied for Hi* Majesty's StaHMier? Office by the Receiver for the Metropolitan Police District New tSvotlaud Yard Koudoo, S. W. 1.