CAREER OF THEFT

Lake Wakatip Mail, Issue 4329, 31 August 1937, Page 2

CAREER OF THEFT

OFFICERS IMPERSONATED For some little time, at least, an ex-public school boy, who is said to have specialised in stealing from military and naval barracks, has been placed out of the reach of temptation. He is Peter Smith, or Peter Charles Eric Bjorkman, aged 22, described as a pilot who was sent to Borstal recently for three years by the London Sessions Bench, This was after he pleaded guilty to three charges of stealing property from army officers at St. John’s Wood, Woolwich, and Chelsea Barracks, and asked for 15 other cases to be considered According to Mr Louis Green, prosecuting, Smith was seen getting into a taxicab carrying a suitcase and a sword, and was followed from St. John’s Wood to Great Portland street. When spoken to by a police officer, he declared he was Lieutenant Thompson. To prove his statement, he was asked to telephone the barracks, but he collapsed in the telephone box and afterwards admitted stealing the property. Detective-sergeant G. B. Griffiths declared Smith had three previous convictions, all for stealing from army officers. From the dock Smith stated that after leaving public school, he attended a military academy. He was “ sent clown ” from the public school and his pilot’s license was suspended for three years. “ When I came out of the school, my education, unfortunately, did not seem to be any good to me,” he remarked. “To suspend my license was like taking a bit out of the horse’s mouth. I did not know what to do, and started stealing “Sometimes now I steal when I do not want the money, because my parents are making me a small allowance.” In ordering Smith to be detained, the chairman told him he was in need of dicipline and training. The son of an army captain. Smith was expelled from school at the ago of 18, to the great distress of his parents, who had done all they could for his education He then went to the Argentine on his uncle’s ranch, and returned to England in October, 1935. After being released from prison last April he went to sea as a stoker for nine weeks. All his offences have been confined to military and naval barracks. He lias travelled the country stealing frJm barracks, and it is said the propertv lie obtained amounted to hundreds or pounds.