YOUNG MAN GAOLED.

Auckland Star, Volume LXX, Issue 23, 28 January 1939, Page 14

YOUNG MAN GAOLED.

"SERVED WITH GENERAL FRANCO." FALSE REPRESENTATIONS. (By Telegraph.—pnn Association.) NELSON, Friday. Michael John O'Neill, aged 29, who claitned to be a pilot and to hav* served with General Franco's army ia Spain, was sentenced to three month*' imprisonment on a charge of obtaining from Victor Campden Constant, of Blenheim, £3 by falsely 'representing that he had obtained-a position as pilot with t)nion Airways and for incurring a debt for board to the value of £3 9/6 from "Constant. Deteettve-Sergeant Kaytotnt added that kMUMi mat to Blenheim and stayed at a hotel. Re one* tang tin tht proprietor stating ha wait an official from Union Airways and asked for a message to be given to Captain O'Neill. Accused had previously been known as "Dr. CPNeill," "Captain O'Neill," etc. In Christchnrch he had gives it oat that he was Lady O'Neill's son. He was prosecuted for fraud and sentenced to a month's imprisonment. Accused practised general deception thfonghont Blenheim and took advantage of peopl*.

On behalf of accused, It was stated tint ha saw the proprietor of the hotel and told him Ms poaition quite caMldly. Ha said he was going away and arranged to forward the money as soon as he got work.

The magistrate Mil accused seemed to have ikviloptH into or to be on the road to developing into an Incorrigible •windier. If probation wert granted, the magistrate was afraicf there would only be a repetition of the offences.