CRIMINAL'S LAST FRAUD.

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 77, 31 March 1928, Page 3 (Supplement)

CRIMINAL'S LAST FRAUD.

POSED AS A DOCTOR. OBTAINING POISON FOR SUICIDE. "A story without any redeeming feature" was the comment of the ActingCoroner for Birmingham after hearing the evidence regarding the death of an exconvict who at tile time of bis suicide was wanted by the police in connection with sundry offences. The man, Harold Mifflin. otherwise Harold Malcolm Graham, otherwise John Cameron, of no fixed abode, described as a draughtsman, was found unconscious in his bedroom at the Grand Hotel, Birmingham. He died later in hospital from barbitone poisoning. Eleanor Mifflin identified the body a-s that of her husband, who was married to her in 1012. He told her he had been in the army, also that he had been adopted by wealthy people and had a fixed income. After the marriage he worked as a draughtsman for a time, but within six months leit her. She heard that, he went to Glasgow, and that sulisequently he was convicted for some crime. She never saw him alive again. She had made inquiries from time to time, and heard he was in different prisons, and about seven years ago he wrote to her from Parkhurst Prison. A detective-sergeant who took the man's finger prillt<s produced a report from Scotland \ ai d stating that they were identical with those of a man convicted in March, 1!>24, under the name of Harold Malcolm Graham. He had been convicted a number of times since 1913 in different parts of England and Scotland under various names. Witnesses related how Mifflin took a room at the Grand Hotel in the name of "John Cameron, Park Street, Peston," and 6ent a page to various chemists with a prescriptions. This was signed ",I. 'Oameron, M.D./' and asked for oil veronal tablets of tive grains strength. One chemist supplied two tablets. Another, who at first demurred, received a note from "Cameron" saying he practised at Derby and Sheffield, and that it was very unusual for. a doctor's prescriptions to be ignored. '"Please comply" the note ended. Coming to the conclusion that it was a genuine doctor's prescription, the chemist supplied a bottle containing '2,1 tablets of barbitone, which was the equivalent of \eional. The bottle was labelled "poison." Jen grains or two tablets was the maximum dose. At the request of "Cameron," who said he thought he had pneumonia, one powdered tablet in milk with given to him. Later the bottle was found under Ins bed empty. The Acting-Coroner (Mr. D. Cuthbertson) said the story revealed was not relieved by any redeeming feature. The man deserted bis wife some six months or less after marriage, and at a time when she was expecting a child. The records showed that from 1913 to 1924, at all events, he was convicted for various forms of fraud, including forgery. He was only I released on license in September, after serving four yeai-s' penal servitude. At the time of his death lie was wanted by the police for failing to report and for sundry other offences which he was supposed to have committed. He also appeared to be in great straits for want of money. '"So 1 suppose he thought he might be better off in the next world than in this," added the coroner, "and he took nis life in this way." I

A verdict of suicide was recorded, the coroner being of opinion that there was not sufficient evidence to show the state ot the man s mind.