A RETURNED CONVICT.

Dunstan Times, Issue 723, 25 February 1876, Page 3

A RETURNED CONVICT.

A short time ago, an old man apparently sixty years of age, and respectably dressed, called at tlie Warwick Police-station and asked to see Superintendent Hickling. Being asked the nature of lus business, lie stated that nearly fifty years ago ho was convicted at Warwick Assizes of a theft committed at Birmingham, and was sentenced to , ten years’ transportation. He was sent out to New South Wales, where he served his full time, and afterwards remained in the colony up to a few months ago, when he returned to this country. During his long residence in New South Wales he ceased to correspond with his family, on whom an. impression prevailed that he was dead. On returning to England, he found that he was heir to a considerable amount of property and a large sum of money in the funds. Of course there was a dispute as to the identity, and the purpose of his visit to Warwick was to prove, by reference to the prison books, that ho was the same person who was convicted about half a century ago. A letter from Superintendent Glossop, of Birmingham, proved that he had correctly stated the facts. Superintendent Hickling accompanied him to the county prison, and communicated the story to Mr Anderson, the Governor, who examined the man by the light of the official description recorded of the supposed dead convict. There were several natural marks which entirely correspond with those named in the prison books, and also extensive tattoo marks on the arms. The officers are quite satisfied that he was the man convicted, and with a certificate to that effect he left the town.