Alfred Hinds

[rogerr]

Does anyone remember Alfred Hinds from the late 50's. He kept escaping from prison and the public liked to hear of his exploits. I think he was a jewel thief.
I would like to find out more about him. Can anyone help or point me in the right direction?

[crete]

sorry only just recall the name was he on t v ?

[rogerr]

Only on the news.

[crete]

so was he a real person ?

[raysparx1]

I remember him,yes he was real,he was a jewel thief and he was very good at escaping from custody,he was always referred to as Alfie Hinds, you could go to Wixpedia,that will probably tell you about him,from what I can remember,if I have got it right he was quite a small bloke,almost bald and wore thick rimmed glasses,he looked more like an accontant than a thief.

[raysparx1]

If I remember correctly he escaped 3 times

[raysparx1]

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Saturday, August 12, 2006
ArchivesWorld U.S. N.Y. / Region Business Technology Science Health Sports Opinion Arts Style Travel Jobs Real Estate Autos Alfred Hinds; British Jailbreaker, 73
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Published: January 9, 1991
Alfred Hinds, a burglar and safecracker from London's East End who gained folk-hero status as a prison escapee, died on Friday. He was 73 years old.

Mr. Hinds taught himself law and argued his cases in 17 court appearances. While a fugitive, he sent letters to newspapers asserting that he had not taken part in a furniture store robbery for which he received a 12-year sentence in 1953.

In 1955, he escaped from prison by copying a key to the jail workshop after memorizing its shape. He was captured in Ireland eight months later.

Mr. Hinds escaped from two prison guards while at a court in London in 1957 and broke out of prison in 1958 by making a key to a bathhouse.

After his release in 1964 he gave lectures arguing for a more intelligent police force.

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[crete]

problem solved rogerr

[rogerr]

Thank you so much Ray, looks like I am in for some heavy reading! I looked a while ago on T'internet and got nowhere, so I hoped someone on here would help.
lol
Barbara

[raysparx1]

He was a hell of a character, I don't think he ever hurt anybody, he looked so inoffensive,there must be a book on his life, I had forgotten about him till I saw your Question,good luck with the research, Ray

[tictactoe]

Yes he certainly was an ineffectual looking guy! As ray says, he looked more like a meek and mild accountant or librarian. As a youngster, when my parents referred to him, (often in the n'paper - having escaped) I always thought his name was Heinz and he was something to do with Baked Beans LOL !!

[rogerr]

This all came up today because a tune came into my head. Many years ago in the days of London Palladium, Max Bygraves sang a song that went "Isn't it funny you go to a show, You sit next to someone, you don't even know"
And so it went on until he said the bloke behind you could be Alfie Hinds.
Thanks Ray and Tictac
lol
Barbara

[raysparx1]

Hi

I just remembered there was a song about him I think it was called " the Ballad of alfie Hinds" I think it was done by Martin Carthy, reminded me when you said about him being mentioned in a song, Ray

[tara20]

What about Gentleman Johnny Ramensky? He escaped from Scottish prisons five times!
Even an elite unit of the army made use of his talents behind enemy lines during the war (safeblowing!)

[raysparx1]

http://aolsearch.aol.co.uk/redir?urn=http://my songbook.de/msb/songs/l/letramen.html&url=http ://mysongbook.de/msb/songs/l/letramen.html&req uestId=f3029b8f617206b6&clickedItemRank=5&sour ce=google&searchType=MS&partner=google&query=j ohnny%20ramensky

[raysparx1]

Hell of a character tara, I had heard the name, but didn't know much about him,thanks, I for one will read up on him, Ray

[tara20]

They don�t make them like that any more, Ray. Google gives plenty of info, try rampantscotland or firstfoot.com.

[sir_tainly_knott]

Alfred hinds was known as, "Houdini Hinds", by the press, for his escapes from prison.

He was a very clever man and someone that clever would never be stupid enough to do the things it was alleged he did and was 'fitted up' by Superintendant Herbert Sparks, a twonk of a copper with Sugar for brains who didn't want to be seen as having made a mistake, because he was a copper and thought Alfie was a petty criminal and cleverer than Alfie.

If you want to know more about Alfred Hinds, buy the book, "Contempt Of Court". It won't be an easy book to find, because this is the one that our crooked 'legal system' doesn't want you to read and would rather it be kept swept under the carpet.

It appears to come in two formats. One in paperback and one in hardback and if you are lucky, you might get a copy on Amazon, but it may not be cheap at around £30, but it is worth every penny if you're interested to know why Alfie entitled that book and how and why the courts go crooked. You might be able to find it on eBay.

So best of luck, I hope you find it. Let me know if you do.

[sir_tainly_knott]

Alfred hinds was known as "Houdini Hinds" by the press, for his escapes from prison.

He was a very clever man and someone that clever would never be stupid enough to do the things it was alleged he did and was 'fitted up' by Superintendant Herbert Sparks, a twonk of a copper with Sugar for brains who didn't want to be seen as having made a mistake, because he was a copper and thought Alfie was a petty criminal and cleverer than Alfie.

If you want to know more about Alfred Hinds, buy the book, "Contempt Of Court". It won't be an easy book to find, because this is the one that our crooked 'legal system' doesn't want you to read and would rather it be kept swept under the carpet, after being out.

It appears to come in two formats. One in paperback and one in hardback and if you are lucky, you might get a copy on Amazon, but it may not be cheap at around £30, but worth every penny. You might be able to find it on eBay a bit cheaper.

So best of luck, I hope you find it. Let me know if you do.