“GENTLEMAN JIM”

New Zealand Times, Volume LI, Issue 11960, 15 October 1924, Page 4

“GENTLEMAN JIM”

SCOTLAND YARD GETS SOULET* SWINDLER. SYDNEY' PERSONALITY. SYDNEY, October 9. Thene was jubilation at Police Headquarters yesterday. News was received that “Gentleman Jim,” late of Sydney, society confidence man, had been arrested in London by Scotland Yard. He is well known- here. Jamies Francis Casey—that is the full, name of this romantic criminal—is more than 6ft in height, snd carries himself like a soldier. He has an impressive manner, which earned him targe sums of B.oney and several- terms of imprisonment over a long period in Now South Wales. j His last confidence trick m this State was played at the expense of policemen at Darlinghursb station. After he literally walked out of a cell there in,February, 1922, he was not heard of again in- this State-. HIS BIG TRICK. “Gentleman Jim,” who had been arrested by 'Detective-Sergeant Matthews, was in a cell at Darlingh-urst awaiting removal with another prisoner to Long Bay Penitentiary. He was dressed in ordinary clothes, and when the van arrived he walked along the corridor with the other prisoner, tho constable who had opened the cell doors being busy at the far end. Turning the corner, Casey • cams Upon tho constable in- charge of the vaii. Realising his opportunity, he staged then the simplest getaway in police history. “Only one' prisoner, constable,” he said, taking on the guise of a detective, and he must have smiled inwardly when the constable said, “Very good, sergeant.” But “Gentleman Jim” piled it on then. He borrowed a cigarette and a match from the unsuspecting constable, helped him to escort tho other prisoner into the van, and then ordered him to go back and lock the door. Sauntering away, he disappeared before his escape was discovered. He was not seen here again. ENGLISH NOTES TRICK. He was then on remand on a charge of stealing £4OO by trick. The tnck was worked with an accomplice, Casey posing as a bank manager who had promised to cash English notes without deducting exchange It was a favourite scheme of Casey’s, and he spent much of his time cut or gaol travelling the coast on oversea vessels and “fleecing” passengers. In December, 1923, word was received here that Casey had been seen in England, and Sergeant Perkins, of the fingerprint -branch l , forwarded “Gentleman Jim’s” prints to Scotland Yard.

Although liis arrest is reported from London, polioe here are wondering whether “Jim” will escape from Dartmoor, if he is 6«nt there I