MYSTERY FORGER’S DEN

Evening Star, Issue 22524, 17 December 1936, Page 13

MYSTERY FORGER’S DEN

SCOTLAND YARD DEFIED tOR A YEAR Somewhere in the back streets of; Islington, London, is a tiny room in a working-class house fitted up as a modern forger’s workshop, whicu Scotland Yard officers have sought in vain ’ for 12 months. It is the source of thousands of false cheques passed in London and tho Home Counties. . The mystery man who works in that room is one of the cleverest penmen in the country. He will not make false notes, but confines his attention to cheques. . On two occasions this year members of his gang have been brought to justice, but they refuse to divulge his identity or whereabouts. Deference was made to this mystery man at the Old Bailey when sentence was postponed on James Boon, a 20-year-old labourer, of White Lion Islington. „ . Boon was found guilty of uttering a forged cheque for £6O with intent to defraud, and endeavouring to obtain that amount. T i oo Prosecuting counsel said on July a letter purporting to come from Miss Muriel Coventry, of Eedoliffe Gardens, S.W., was handed by a small hoy to the cashier at the Queen’s Gate branch of Barclay’s Bank in Kensington. The letter asked for six blanii cheques to be given to the boy, because Miss Coventry had “unexpectedly returned from Sussex.” The cashier was suspicious, handed over the cheques, but informed the police. Next day Boon came to the bank and submitted one of the six cheques for £6O. A few minutes later he was arrested. . Mr Gunning, for Boon, described nim as “ an ideal tool for a forger.” “ These cheque frauds are being committed every day in this great city, ■ the Common Sergeant (Mr Cecil Whiteley, K.C.) told the jury. “ Many are cases where cheque books have been stolen out of motor cars. “ The cheque gets into the possession of a gang and then they start. According to the evidence of the bank cashier, in this case the cheque was a very clever forgery of Miss Coventry ■ handwriting.” Detective-inspector Greeuacre said: “ In May we had at this court a gang of forgers. This man is just an offshoot from that gang.” The Common Sergeant pointed out that Boon might be able; to help the police with information. “ I know nothing ” came from th* man in the dock. The gang referred to was broken up at the Old Bailey when three were sent to long terms of penal servitude for a big forging conspiracy. Another member of the gang was found dving the night of his arrest in his cell'at Caledonian road police station.