HARRY THE VALET

See Also: ROBBERY

Henry Sands was born the son of a picture framer. He developed a set of social skills that enabled him to move amongst the wealthiest sets of people. He exploited this apparent insouciance to steal items from them. His robberies were all executed without his ever employing any violence. He became known as Harry the Valet.

In 1893 the 5^th Earl Cadogan boarded a train at Euston Railway Station. Before it departed, he looked over his newspaper and noticed that a man was leaving the carriage with Lady Cadogan s jewel case. The peer exclaimed, 'What on Earth are you doing?' Harry replied 'I thought you were so deeply engrossed in your paper that you would not notice my little attempt to purloin your jewels. May I wish you good morning and myself better luck next time.' The earl laughed, the thief handed the peer the case, and then made his exit.

Five years later Harry stole £25,000 worth of jewels from the Dowager Duchess of Sutherland. However, his girlfriend Maude Richardson, a chorus girl, betrayed him to Scotland Yard. He was arrested, tried and convicted. As a result, his face became known and, following his release, he was unable to resume his career at the same level as he had been able to conduct it previously.

Location: Euston Railway Station, Euston Road, NW1 2RT (red, brown)

David Backhouse 2024