DARING ROGUE.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume I, Issue 169, 22 August 1914, Page 5

DARING ROGUE.

LEADER OF A GAOL MUTINY. The extraordinary career of a welleducated master rogue, now aged 34, was narrated at Middlesex Sessions last month. He was sentenced to. three years' penal servitude, to be followed by seven years' preventive detention. Indicted in the name of Rudolf Marjoribanks, the prisoner was shown to have also passed as "Lord Reginald Herbert," "Sir Francis Ford," and "Commander Crieliton." The charge to which he pleaded guilty was stealing a book of thirty blank cheques belonging to the Rev. Cecil 'Francis Ayerst, of North wood, Middlesex. While in custody he jumped from a train at Praed Street and remained at large for a few days. Inspector Barratt said the prisoner was educated at a college to become an architect, and his parents were well-to-do. He enlisted in the Royal Marines and twice deserted. He then joined the Grenadiers, but deserted the next day. While in Maidstone gaol he was ringleader of a mutiny among the convicts, which caused the governor to call in soldiers with fixed bayonets to quell the disturbance. He had given information of some 100 offences, involving debts and goods to the extent of £BOO. Free Use of Motor Cars.

When released from prison he was met by his brother, who provided him with money to go abroad, but he went to Brighton, fraudulently obtained goods, and returned to town the next

day. He went to the Park View Hotel, Hyde Park corner, and left without paying. He hired a motor ear for six weeks at £ls a week, and drove about ordering goods. He then went to the Richmond Hill Hotel and ordered a second car, calling himself Commander Crichton.

As Commander Herbert he hired another car, and after driving through Surrey paid for the hire with a stolen, cheque, borrowing 7/6 from the chauffeur and refunding it by means oi a worthless cheque. For ,a bouquet. which he ordered ,to be sent to ft fictitious address he paid a worthless cheque and obtained £2 change. Ha called himself Lord Beginald Herberton that occasion. Robbed and Deserted Girl.

As Sir Charles Warren Ire attempted, to obtain a rug in Oxford Street, anil the next day he visited Ealing in a motor car and obtained the cheques, for which he was now before the court. He then motored to Slough and in the name of Sir Francis Ford obtained a gold cigarette-case with one o£ the stolen cheques. He signed of the cheques as Captain Hillier and obtained a six-guinea bfaeelep in Regent Street. The day after he escaped from custody he took a girl to Hampton Courfc in a hired carriage and pair, spent part, of the day on the river, and then took her to the Mitre Hotel, where, he- persuaded her to let him have her purse. He disappeared and left her to pay for the carriage and the meals. He had. also obtained goods by ordering them and then intercepting the delivery boys. He had called to look at apartments and had stolen property while there. He had made a statement which had resulted in the recovery of nearly all the, property.