HIS CRASH.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVIII, Issue 146, 22 June 1937, Page 8

HIS CRASH.

BOGUS AIR PILOT.

LABOURER'S FRAUDS.

QUEEN STREET ARREST.

PA-USE PRETENCES CHARGES.

Ernest William Sampson, labourer, aged 32, is now in uniform—not that of an airways pilot, but the uniform of His Majesty's Prison, a. service to which he is "under contract"' for the next six months. Ho earned this sentence when he made j '"forced landing" in the dock of the Police Court this morning, before Mr. \\ . R. McKean. S.M., who pointed out that his "license'' was already marred by numerous endorsements. Sampsoi! hud pretended that he was a commercial air pilot, and by this ruse had obtained three sums of money totalling £fi 8/. He had made several "flights," but they were flights away from friends who had obliged him, and liis flight of fancy flashed on -Tune !•> when he met Detective -Tones in Queen Street. It was then that the police "took over the controls." In the Police Conrt this morning Detective-Sergeant McHugh and Detective Jones told the story of Sampson's ail ventures.

Sampson pleaded guilty to a charge of stealing £3 11/, the property of Elizabeth ilacguire, on Jujie <!. He was further diarged with obtaining £1 10/ from Arthur Clarence Denton, on June 3, by falsely representing that he was an air pilot employed by Union Airways, receiving £10 10/ per week, and that he had a motor ear in hand, and with •obtaining from John Henry Pratt, on June 2. £1 7/ by a similar false representation. To these charges Sampson also pleaded, guilty. Detective R. D. L. J ones said he interviewed Sampson on June 15, when Sampson said he would plead guilty to obtaining the money from Mrs. Macguire. Mr. McKean: How did he obtain the mi oney ?

By Air to Te Kuiti. t He called on Mrs. Macguire at her flouse in Sylvan Avenue on June 6, and intimated that he wanted a room " said the detective. "He told her he had the tlying service between Auckland end Wellington* Mrs. Macguire told him that she was unsettled in her home, as I the house %as. i4p for sale. Accused told her that 'he ■ coufd" 'obta in a house for her from a man who lived at Te Kuiti He said the owner' of the house would require; a fortnight's rent in advance. Sampson told Mrs. Macguire ho would fly down to Te; Kuiti tfcat day. Mrs. Macguire gave him£3ll/. She also gave hrm his Samjcon left saying he would catch 10.45 a.m bus to Mangeio and fly ttf Kuiti and see the the hoo#. and s< range a 12 months lease. £*itypson also said he would be,return^-the same afternoon. But did not see him again." nSO!!F*« g : * h * tfcro charges, Detectiye-Sergeant McHugh said that' on May 31 Sampson rented a room in a house in East Street, Newton, where he went under the name of "Eugene Warner. There he became acquainted boarder and gained the confidence of two-men by representing that he was a pilot|jnj N tho employ of Union Airways at »^alatyf : of •£l<y 10/ per week. Sampson further stated, that hie required £37 to pay duty on a inQtol cAr which was on the Majljijjaa,. .jtoeVbpatf.on which lie came frort stating that he jfof-. shojt jMdgw fdfyrii?ed sum of money, -Sampson received £i IQ/ from one man ana - another. "Sampson has previously been in trouble and has a dozen convictions for similar offences/' added the detective-sergeant. Appeal For Chance Fails. The magistrate reminded Sampson that he had already served three years' reformative detention for false pretences. "I have been out five aqd. a half years, so that is a certain amouM of proof that I can go straight," said Sampson. "I ask for another chance. If I get a chance I can make restitution." Mr. McKean told Sampson that all he could do would be to keep him out of the way for a period. Sampson was sentenced to three months' imprisonment on each of the three charges, the sentences on two of the charges to be cumulative.