He ran a novel criminal class (5)

I believe the answer is:

fagin

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'he ran a novel criminal class' is the definition.
The definition suggests a singular noun which matches the answer.

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(Other definitions for fagin that I've seen before include "he hanged" , "Gang leader (Oliver Twist)" , "Gang-leader" , "Character in Oliver Twist" , "Criminal in Oliver Twist" .)

I've seen this clue in The Globe and Mail.

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