AN ARTFUL ACTOR.

NZ Truth, Issue 73, 10 November 1906, Page 7

AN ARTFUL ACTOR.

Maleficent McLeod's Methods.

HIS LUGIFEROUS "LOVE-UTTERS."

"I Want You— Ob, so Badly."

"Meanwhile, will You Post Me £\?"

Frederick McLeod is an actor. He is also a batfcener upon women, and, m the course of his battening, proves that he. well knows how to play the part. His "love-letters" to these women are ardent enough to burn the paper upbu which they

are written. Last August, he got into trouble m England; and this is what is reported, of what transpired when he stood Upon his trial: —

"Frederick McLeod, 45, a clean-shaven, professional-looking man, dressed m a light summer tweed suit, and described as an actor, was indicted at Newington Sessions recently for having obtained the sum of £15 10s, by false pretences, from Miss Gertrude Jolliffe.

"Mr. Gordon, for the prosecution, said m November last the prosecutrix was engaged as manageress to a tobacconist m Kennington Park-road. Prisoner was a customer at the shop, and m that way they became acquainted. McLeod represented that he received a weekly income from £1200 invested m South African stock, and was the owner of .furniture worth £600. The parties became on friendly terms, and accused and Miss Jolliffe, after taking strolls together,, became

ENGAGED TO BE MARRIED. On occasions the prisoner was alleged to have stated that his weekly amount had not arrived by registered post, and from time to time prosecutrix advanced him money, until the loans totalled £15 10s. "Miss Gertrude Jolliffe, a smartly-dressed young woman, said she believed implicitly m prisoner, who was an actor, and had travelled about on tour. He had written letters to witness. (Here witness produced a brown paper parcel containing dozens of letters).' "The Judge: Are those his letters. "Witness (with' a blush) : Yes, sir. "Mr. Gordon read the following letter, which the prisoner had written to the prosecutrix. Have not been able, my own, to send you a .letter as I had hoped, but shall try and write, my very own, to-morrow. My throat is very sore. Do send me some more black currant l.ozenges. They do 'me so much good. In ease I am left m a hole on Saturday, and if you have, any .'"oof" you are not using immediately, until I draw will you post me £1? . I WANT YOU BADLYoh, so badly, dear. ,Good-bye. "Counsel read another letter. Oh, you are so good. Thank you so much, my very, very own. lam unable fco leave my room, dear. . The doctor says "No." This place is terrible. I shall leave directly lam able, my precious one. I hope to go tb Hicks, at the New Theatre, so I shall soon be m town. Then no more fooling. . . Thanks, my own. Excuse pencilled scribble, love. You have my undying and constant love, as ever yours. "The Jndge: Did you lend him the money because he had promised to marry you, or did you lend it because you believed he had £1200 m stocks and worth of furniture? "Prosecutrix: Because I .believed what he said about the stocks and furniture. "Mr. Roderick (for the defence): Did you FALL IN LOVE WITH HIM ? — I cannot say that. "But you accepted his proposal ? — I said, 'You are going away- for three months, and I will think it over, and see if we are fond enough of each other.'

"But you intended to accept him?— lf I was fond of him, yes; I believed m him entirely. .

"I suggest that you lent him this money because you loved, him? — I- do not see that love need be brought into it at all.

"Have you lent other men ' money ?— No ; I have not.

"Detective-sergeant Cornish proved arresting prisoner , <yn a warrant .at Clacton-on-Sea, where he had been connected with the bandstand. In answer to the charge, . he said, "Yes; I had it. I will pay her back every halfpenny, if she will withdraw the prosecution. I hope she will allow that to be done, or else I shall lose my job here, and it will ruin me. If. she won't take it, I shall have to put up with it. I have no stocks, neither have I any furniture; m fact,

I HAVE 'NOT A POUND to my name.'

"Prisoner, giving evidence, said he had been connected with several theatrical companies. He was introduced 'to the prosecutrix by a friend, who led witness to believe she was m love with him, and they became on very affectionate terms.

"McLeod admitted that he been divorced by his wife.

"The jury found the prisoner 'Guilty.' "Warder Reynolds proved that at the Old Bailey m 1898 the prisoner was ordered five years' penal servitude for bigamy. The case was a very bad one.

"Detective-sergeant Dessent said prisoner was released m December, 1901, and after going to a Prisoners' Aid Society he joined the 'Duchess of Dantzic' Company, and had toured the country with it for three year:;. Alx-ut two years ago ho lived with a woman

AS HIS WIFE at an address m Kingston-on-Thames. He borrowed £2 from the landlord, a poor old man, who was ill m bed, and left without meeting his bill. He had also stayed at Wellington-road, Stoke Newington, with a woman, had left owing £7, had borrowed £5 from a lodger, and had stolen his watch.

"Mr. Roderick: It is disgraceful the way the police give evidence. "Sergeant Cornish: The witnesses are m court.

••'Prisoner was sentenced to nine mouths' bard labor."