JOHN PARKER.

Press, Volume LXIV, Issue 19503, 27 December 1928, Page 9

JOHN PARKER.

REFUSES TO ADMIT HIS DENTITY DETAINED IN FRANCE. (raoM ora owj? corbbspokbest.) SYDNEY, December 18John Brandon Parker, who effected an amazing escape from the Darlinghurst police station lock-up early in August, and was, arrested in Bordeaux in October, has prolonged his sojourn in Prance by refusing to admit his identity. After haying been found guilty of breaking and "entering, Parker was sentenced to four years' imprisonment, and was declared an habitual criminal —a judgment dreaded by the most hardened evildoer. Ho escaped from the station by sawing,through the bars of the lock-up while awaiting removal to prison. After he had regained his freedom Parker employed numerous ruses to outwit the police. Gradually his new haunts became known to Ma pursuers, however, and he realised that he must ultimately be captured. He decided to stow away on a foreign steamer bound for a country where he would not be known, but as a consequence of information despatched by the local police Parker was arrested on his arrival at Bordeaux. i , When he was apprehended he virtually admitted to the French police that he was John Brendon Parker. As an escaped convict arrested in foreign territory he waß liable to be handed over to the authorities from whose charge he escaped without extradition proceedings, provided he was proved beyond doubt to be the escapee. Evidently Parker became aware of this international regulation, and he chose to remain in France as long as possible. He strenuously denied being an escaped criminal. The French authorities notified Sydney police headquarters of the denial. Parker's identification papers were prepared and sent to 7 'the Premier's Department, whence they were despatched to France through the customary diplomatic channels.