Criminal Whims.

Hokitika Guardian, 21 February 1922, Page 3

Criminal Whims.

(By G. T. Crook),

A prisoner with a stubbly beard asked a magistrate recently for the return of money found upon him so that lie could get a shave. The request was, of course, granted. Every man, whether innocent or guilty, likes to look bis brightest and best when be enters the dock. This desire for sartorial correctness is especially strong among hardened criminals, many of whom have some quaint whims and fancies.

One of the cleverest cardsiiarpers in the country always bad his nails manicured before making bis bow to the court. He bad such delicately sensitive fingers—thin and tapering—that if you placed a pencil mark on a blank piece of paper lie would find it' with bis fingers without looking at it.

Seaman, the Stepney murderer, who was hanged between Millsom and Fowler, the Mnswell Hill murderers, refused to dress until lie was supplied with a fashionably cut suit of clothes. Three suits were taken to him by the police, but lie scorned them all and remained almost naked in bis cell until the police banded him a suit cut L\ a West End tailor. That satisfied him. “Now T am ready to appear before the magistrate,” lie said.

Women frequently carry mascots into court. A woman jewel thief placed her wedding ring on the third finger of her right hand for luck. There are several instances of women asking the gaoler to let them look at a black cat before going into court. ■Professional criminals are not as a rule superstitious ; they come too much

“up against” realities ot life. Friday, regarded rn,spmc professions as a day of ill-omeu, is th"e" pickpockets’ best day, because most people I giei iheir wages on that day. Hence it is that detectives are more active on a I* riday than on any other day of the week. A burglar with a string of convictions against him is always very eager to know t.be name of the magistrate or judge before whom lie is to appear. There are certain occupants of the bench who are notorious for the leniency of their Sentences, and, of course, they are held in high veneration by hardened criminals.

“I’m in luck,” many an old “lag” has been heard to remark. “Old So-and-So is on the bench to-day, and it’s easy to talk him over.” One woman who had several previous convictions against her was charged with picking pockets. She had flitted from one omnibus to another and was caught red-lmnded. As site stepped into the dock she pulled a very pitdul face and cried. The magistrate discharged her with - caution. “Told you I should twist the dear old blighter,” she whispered gee fully to her' captor as she stop|x?d from the* dock.