POSED AS MILLIONAIRE.

Auckland Star, Volume LVIII, Issue 136, 11 June 1927, Page 23

POSED AS MILLIONAIRE.

Described as a jute broker, of Albion Road, Broadstairs, George Charles Brandon Collier, 36, was charged at Guildhall, London, as a suspected person frequenting Barclay's and other banks for an unlawful purpose and •with obtaining £2 from Mr. James S. Bruce, manager of the Chartered Bank of India, by false pretences.

Mr. Joseph McAukland, assistant manager at Barclay's Bank, said that Collier represented that he belonged to the firm of Ralli Brothers, of Calcutta. He said he had been robbed by a woman and asked for a cheque for £25 to be cashed. When his request was refused, he said, "Be a sport, I am an Old Blue and am worth a million pounds." It was stated that he called at other banks and offices.

Mr. James S. Bruce said Collier told him he was the son of the principal jute broker in Calcutta, and mentioned the names of some highly respectable people in India. He asked for £10 to get home to Broadstairß, "where he had a big house," and was lent £2. As the money vfas not returned a letter was sent to Broadstairs, and a reply was received from Collier's father, enclosing the £2 with a note: "He is known to Scotland Yard as a crook."

Inspector Cairns said Collier's father was a highly respectable man who had been a clerk to Ralli Brothers, of Calcutta. There were six previous convictions. Collier, who attributed his downfull to drink, was sentenced to six months' hard labour.