HIS LUCK WAS OUT.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 13, 3 June 1914, Page 3

HIS LUCK WAS OUT.

WEST EXD BLACKMAILING. BOGUS POLICEMAN'S ARREST OF A CONSTABLE. Albert Phillips, a deserter from the Grenadier Guards and having no occupation, was sentenced to three months' imprisonment recently in London after a curious story had been told. The prisoner, pretending that he wan a police constable, named Mitchell, was in Piccadilly after midnight. Accosting Police-Sergeant Brodie, who was in plain clothes, the prisoner said he should take him into custody for living in an improper way. He caught the officer's arm and led him towards Vine Street polite station. Constable Sims, also in plain clothes, spoke to the prisoner, who also said thatjie would arrest him also.

After walking a short distance, the prisoner said to Brodie, "If you give me a sovereign I will let you go." The two officers revealed their positions, and the prisoner exclaimed, "My luck is out; that has done it."

Mr Muskett, prosecuting, said the prisoner remained in his lodgings at Pimlico all day and went out in the evenings. He got to know the names of constables doing duty in the West End, and using this knowledge, appeared to have blackmailed women. Owing to the conduct of such men unfounded insinuations had been made against police officers.

An officer of the firoiiadior fiuards said t!ie prisoner bore a had character in the regiment.