A CONFIDENCE MAN.

Auckland Star, Volume LVII, Issue 96, 24 April 1926, Page 15

A CONFIDENCE MAN.

CHEQUE FRAUDS CONFESSED. COMMITTED FOR SENTENCE. (By Telegraph.—Own Correspondent.) CHRISTCHURCH, this day. One of the most successful operators on valueless cheques in this Dominion for many years has been Edmund Marriott, who in a few months used an audacious confidence to profitable purpose. No fewer than 50 charges could have been preferred against him if the police were so minded. The law was content with twelve charges, involving about. £120. though Marriot in a statement, set out that he had issued cheques for £330 11/ in various parts of the Dominion. ' Race meetings seemed to hold a fascination for Marriott, and he used his guile at Napier, Hastings, Chri-st-church, and Wingatui. Now and then a trusting shopkeeper came under his acquisitive notice. Yesterday Marriott appeared before Messrs. K. Matheson and P. L. Davies, J.P.'s. Detective-Sergeant Bruce Ycung prosecuted, and Air. W. J. Stacey appeared for accused. In his statement read by Detective Mayne, Marriott made a clean breast of his deception. He said that be knew .that he had no funds to meet the cheques issued. Mr. Stacey asked witness if •Marriott did not have a. credit balance at the bank of £14. "That was in No. 2 account," replied Detective Mayne. "He drew on the No. 1 account." Marriott pleaded guilty to all charges and was committed to the Supreme Court for sentence.