JUMP FROM A TRAIN.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XXIX, Issue 7818, 10 June 1909, Page 1

JUMP FROM A TRAIN.

A convict who escaped from a moving train m Rhodesia and made his way to England, by walking through 'Rhodesia and; the Conga Iree State and then taking a steamer to Antwerp, appeared before the Bow-street (London) magistrate on 17th April, on the charge of being an escaped convict. He is John Creswick, aged 40, and a sailor. Detective-Inspector Belcher, of Scotland Yard, stated that on the previous day he saw Creswick m Leman-street, ' Whit'echapel, and said to him, "I believe you are John Creswick, and that you escaped from custody m Rhodesia.' The prisoner said, "Oh, no ; I am not the man." Witness said, "The man I want has the Prince of Wales feathers tattooed on his forearm. Let me look at yours." Creswick then said, "You are right. I am the man. 1 was doing six years for forgery. They were moving me from Gwelo to Salisbury, and I. jumped the train. Then I made my way through Rhodesia and the Congo Free State to Leopoldviile. I thought I was safe here." The accused was remanded. ' It is stated that Creswick was wear T ing leg irons when he dropped from the back of the train m which he was being removed to Salisbury Prison, while his guards were asleep. According to his account, he got rid of the irons by beating them with pieces of stone and hammering them on rocks. It took him about" six months to walk to the Congo State, and he ultimately obtained a ship from Boma to Antwerp, and thence'to London. At Boma lie changed his prison dress—which must have been well worn—for a pair of grey trousers, a striped jacket, and a cricket shirt.