“A JEKYLL AND HYDE.”

Waikato Times, Volume 112, Issue 18806, 30 November 1932, Page 4

“A JEKYLL AND HYDE.”

STUDYING PRISON LIFE. STRANGE STATEMENT FROM DOCK. “None of my relatives or friends knew of my Jekyll and Hyde existence, and after this case is over I Intend to drop my dual personality." This was part of a surprising statement in the dock at Devon Quarter Sessions by Frederick Arthur Beck, alias Perclval Johnson, 33, described as a native of Leicester, and an engineer. In addition to admitting that he had stolen two £1 notes, 2s in silver, and an American 20-dollar. gold piece while employed as a draughtsman In the textile factory of Darlington Hall, Ltd., Totnes, Beck asked that v live outstanding warrants should be considered In his sentence. These charged him with obtaining £3 by means of a worthless cheque, stealing a motor-car in London and another car in Paignton, obtaining £5 by false pretences at Leicester, and attempting to obtain £7 by a worthless cheque at Paignton. For the prosecution, Mr 11. Elam explained that when the factory at Totnes was closed for the week-end Beck entered through an open window. He took the petty cash-box to the basement, forced it open, and stole Ihe contents. After Beck had exchanged the gold piece for £5 2s 6d he was arrested at Paignton. Dolective Northey described Berk as a very troublesome motor car thief, and a cunning and resourceful man. Fascinated By Gaol Reform. “No doubt my words- will be looked upon as the ravings of a lunatic." Beck lold the Court, ns he proceeded to mention that 12 years ago he read a number of books upon prison reform. He became so fascinated with Ihe subject that lie decided to obtain direct knowledge of modern prisons and methods of reform. He began his first term of imprisonment in 1 £>23, since when he had served seven sentences, which culminated with one of 23 months for a crime which, Beck asserted, lie did not commit. That was Ihe only time he pleaded “not guilty," because he

had called the tune and paid the piper. • Beck added that he had never asked for consideration from judges or magistrates; and he had never wanted to cry over spilt milk. But in the last few days he had decided that he knew all he wanted to know about prisons. Outside of prisons he had never associated with criminals, and had always kept his criminal career from his friends, who did not know of his Jekyll and Hyde character. lie had specialised in stealing motor cars and had given them up undamaged. The chairman, Lord Merrivale, passing sentence of IS months, to include the outstanding charges, remarked that the court had grave doubt whether they ought not to send Beck to penal servitude. “If a man commits crime In order to write a book,” .he added, “that man must pay for his crimes.”