AUSTRALIAN CRIMINAL

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LIV, Issue 16838, 29 December 1928, Page 6

AUSTRALIAN CRIMINAL

AN INTERNATIONAL DIFFICULTY SYDNEY, December 13. John Parker, one of Australia's most famous criminals, who escaped to France a few months ago, evidently likes that country much better than his own, ioi' he is' placing every possible obstaclein the way of his extradition. He is taking advantage of international regulations which make any action by Australia extremely difficult and complicated. After being found, guilty in Sydney of breaking and entering, Parker was sentenced to four years' imprisonment and declared an habitual criminal —a judgment dreaded by the most hardened evildoer. .He escaped from the court by sawing through the iron bars of the lock-up while, awaiting his transfer to prison. After he had gained bis freedom, Parker employed numerous ruses to outwit the police. Gradually his haunts became known to the police, and he realised that sooner or later, if he remained in the city, he must be recaptured. So ho decided to stow away on a foreign steamer bound for a country where he would not he known, but in consequence of information dispatched by the local police he was arrested when ho arrived at Bordeaux. When lie was apprehended he virtually admitted to the French police Ihal ho was-' John Parker. , As an escaped convict arrested in foreign territory he was liable to bo banded over to Iho authorities from whose, charge he escaped without the usual extradition proceedings, providing that he was proved .beyond flou'bt to be the escapee. Evidently Parker became aware of Ibe international regulation, and ho chose to remain in Prance as long as possible, lie strenuously denied that he was mi escaped criminal. The. French authorities notified the Sydney police of the denial. So Parker';, identification papers have been prepared by Ibe Premier's office, ami they will be dispatched to Frame through the usual diplomatic channels.