Gang of Fire Raisers Gaoled

Manawatu Times, Volume LIV, Issue 7240, 21 August 1933, Page 7

Gang of Fire Raisers Gaoled

Old Bailey’s Longest Trial DESPICABLE TYPES OF CRIMINALS United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright. LONDON, August 18. After 54 days’ trial —the longest iu tho history of Old Bailey, tho previous being for 23 days—ten accused iu the firo conspiracy were convicted on various charges in addition to the four who, besides Harris and Jarvis, pleaded guilty. The case was remarkable as it marked the first installation of a “whispering telephone’’ in Court, communicating with the solicitors’ offices and Old Bailey and enabling the speedy production of documents, whereof 15,000 were involved. The thirty-two charges were so complicated that counsel, in recording tho verdicts, needed a chart of black and white squares. When completed it resembled a crossword puzzle. Mr Justice Humpl -eys, in his three days’ summing-up, spoke 100,000 words. He declared that Capsoni was a most despicable type of criminal, namely a blackmailer. “I shall not be able to pass on him the sentence he richly deserves. The lowest depths of infamy, perhaps, were reached when Capsoni’s wretched wife was set to do tho actual burning.’’ Counsel have begun their addresses in mitigation of the sentences. It is estimated the case cost £IOO,OOO, which the insurance companies and Lloyd’s are paying because thoy believe they were systematically deprived of half a million yearly by fradulent claims, which the prosecution aimed to stamp out. Better Than an Edgar Wallace Plot ASTOUNDING CONSPIRACY REVEALED. Received Sunday, 8 p.m. LONDON, Aug. 20.

The capture of tho fire-raising gang was the result of several years’ investigation by William Crocker, a solicitor and a specialist in insurance law, emplayed by Lloyds’, tho underwriters, and leading fire insurance companies. He discovered that tho system of tho gang was as follows: A dummy business was created in the name of one of the gang. It was stocked with inflammable material and then a grossly excessive insurance policy was negotiated. The premises were subsequently set on firo by another member of tho gang and an inflated claim, supported if necessary by forged invoices, was then presented. Every member of the gang was shadowed for many months and their every movement was watched. It is estimated the gang was making £500,000 annually for many years. The trial occupied 33 hours and over 100,000 documents were handled in the case.

A result of the trial will be the making immediately of new safeguarding regulations in connection with the respective fire insurance policies under which conspiracy is impossible.

While Mr. Justice Humphries was sentencing the prisoners In the dock, their wives and female relatives coul.l be heard sobbing outside tho Court. Mr. Justice Humphreys characterised Leopold Harris as the arch-villain. He doubtless made enormous sama by the conspiracy, most of which he apparently spent on the stock exchange and elsewhere .

Harris received the maximum penalty for arson upon the ten counts on which he pleaded guilty. Mr. Justice Humphreys also emphasised the appalling danger to lifo of theso incendiary fires. One prisoner, a septuagenarian silk merchant, William Herival, who received a sentence of 18 months, fainted. The actual term to be served will be 40 years by all the prisoners. The Judge said society had got rid of a number of dangerous criminals heading an immense and widespread conspiracy, which might have brought many others into the dock, one of whom, confessed and died the following day, “whether accidentally or otherwise I do not know.”