Pc’s notepad of past criminals leaves relatives wanting more

FAMILIES who learned about the criminal pasts of their relatives from a policeman’s notebook sold on eBay are calling on the police to release more information about their offences.

The pocketbook, which belonged to an unknown Nottinghamshire police officer, contained 250 mugshots of criminals from the Fifties, accompanied by a handwritten description of their charges.

Richard Cartwright, a local history specialist, has sold half of the pages to descendants on his online account since he discovered it at an auction house in Nottingham three years ago.

Some of the crimes include bigamy, larceny and driving offences, but the pages also hold appeal photos and information concerning missing people.

Many of the buyers are eager to trace the criminal histories further through official police records.

Francesca Kazan, a retired academic who lives in South Hampstead, was “shocked” when she recognised her stepfather’s police photograph.

In 1950 Derek Clayton-Wright, a middle-class gun runner who posed as an “ace pilot” in the RAF, used his charm to court her mother, who worked as a bar hostess in Chelsea.

Dr Kazan, suspects the mugshot was taken after he was arrested for an illegal money scheme. But she wants confirmation from police to understand the history of the man she knew as a “friendly” stepfather.

A spokesman for Nottinghamshire Police said those personally affected could call them.