REAL RAFFLES.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 120, 18 June 1909, Page 4

REAL RAFFLES.

BURGLAR'S COXFKSSION READ JN COURT. AMAZING .MEMOIRS. An ii mazing story of a young mini's career us a criminal wits unfolded al the County of London Hussions (says tlic Daily .Mail) before .Mr. Wallace, K.C., when a dean-shaven, dark-Inured young man, named William Parker, agod twenty-eight, pleaded guilty to having been found by night at Dartmouth Park-hill in the unlawful possession ol house-breaking implements. Detective-inspector Neil stated that the prisoner had received every assistance from charitably disposed people. He first came under police notice in December; 11)04, when he was sentenced to fifteen months' hard labor for housebreaking. At that time Parker hurt been living in a little workshop, which was also a sort of bijngalow, ami had a secret door, through which lie could pass unseen by night, could get to the backs of houses and commit robberies with impunity and return with his booty withoii". being observed. He was regarded as a highly respectable young man; his parents were of the highest character, and they had brought him up well. As a fact, lie was on speaking terms with the police of the district, | and, this being so, was able to obtain information as to their work, "DOUBLE CUXXIXG,"'

Before his first arrest, there were 011 an average three or four burglaries u night ill the particular district 111 winch he was residing at Higligate. The police discovered that one of the stoleii articles had been pawned by tlie prisoner, and this led to his conviction. 11l lOUli he was convicted at llarlnyboiie of stealing apples, and was ordered three months' hard labor. Then, in 11(07, he was sentenced at the sessions to tw6 years' hard labor for burglary mid receiving.

At the time of the prisoner's first sentence there was some suggestion mat he might be weak mentally, but the prison doctor came to the conclusion that the only thing he suffered from was ''double cunning."

The reason of Parker's arrest on the prvsenl charge, said ine inspector, was that tlie police heard lie was planning to break into the residence of an old lady, attack and chloroform her, and then rob her. Prior to this the prisoner had intended to 'waylay a restaurant manageress with her" takings. The police were in hiding waiting to intercept him, but for some reason lie jvalked away without committing the crime. Parker, continued the inspector, had written tlie story of his life, under the title "Fallen Among Thieves," and in his preface he wrote: Dear Comrades', —The chief object of mv writing this book and entitling it "Fallen Among Thieves" is to give you a little idea that it does not matter bow well a son or lad may be brought up by his parents, if it is in his mind to go the wrong road lie will go, and from experience 1 mjwlf have had 110 one ca!i force him from going the way he chooses, whether it lie for good or evil. HIS FIRST BURGLARY.

After referring to his early life, bis attendances at Sunday School, and a churc]i at Highgate, Parker described liis first iburglary. The house in question is situated in one of the best neighborhoods of Highgate, and no doubt when the case is

recalled it will be familiar to all our readers, especially those who were interested in the heading in the newspapers, "Carpenter by day and burglar by night." T did not choose the front of the house, as wished by mv friend, but preferred the back myself—a professional cracksman always works from the back. . .' . I told my friend the plateglass window would have to go. He replied, "You will never get it out." "Oil!" B said, "don't you believe: it. I only put this window in a time ago and the putty is pretty soft." As soon as the window was removed I heard the clock ticking. I thought, "How dare you tick and defy me in the dead of night? I'll tick you," and I ticked it into my pocket when I found it was solid silver.

I collected tile stuff I wanted, and, after regaining the fields (Parliamenthil Fields), I wislhed my friend "Goodnight." As soon as I was getting to tlie entrance I ran into a policeman. Being well in with the police, I simply said. "Good morning, .Tack." He replied, "Hood morning, Bill," and no further notice was taken.

In another portion of his book Parker indulged in the following reflection! We know it is a peculiar fancy to take a fancy to other people's property, but when you come to fake things into consideration, and when you come to think that there are 74,000 thieves in London at this present moment working in the suburbs, and that 3000 burglaries are successfully carried out in London weekly, von m'iglit not look astonished. dir.' Wallace, K.C., said that fortunately for the prisoner he was stopped before he had committed a graver crime tlmn that to which he liad pleaded guilty, otherwise lie would have been sent to penal servitude. As it was lie would have to undergo eighteen months' hard labor.