Took Pitcher To Well Once Too Often

Press, Volume C, Issue 29466, 18 March 1961, Page 11

Took Pitcher To Well Once Too Often

(Rec. 10 p.m.) SYDNEY, March 17. “You took the pitcher to the well once too often," Judge Prior told a man today when sentencing him to two and a half years’ gaol. The man, Murray Beresford Robert, aged 41, of no fixed address, but formerly of New Zealand, pleaded guilty to having inserted false information on a marriage register. Detective L. Stirton, described Roberts as a “most plausible and active false pretender.” Roberts had married after telling his wife-to-be his name was “Dr. Jackson," an Ambassador of Canberra, and that he had just returned from four years’ duty at the United Nations. Roberts had told her he was going to Moscow to take the place of the Australian Ambassador, who had been shot, he added. Judge Prior told Roberts: “You took the pitcher to the well once too often I think the last time was when you entertained the Mayor of Manly as Baron von Krupp, wasn't it?" Roberts smilingly acknowledged this from the dock. His counsel, Mr W. M. Fowler, remarked: “And it

was a very good lunch, too " Roberts's record disclosed a long list of convictions dating back to 1941 for false pretences, posing as a doctor and stealing in all States and in New Zealand, the Court was told. Detective Stirton said Roberts had told him he had reached fifth year as a medical student at Otago University, and since had been a man of "many occupations." He taught at various colleges in Victoria and New South Wales including Newington, in Sydney. On December 24, last, Roberts went as a guest to the Abergeldie guesthouse in Bowral, and was introduced to Beryl Florence Sinclair. Their association b»came close, and on December 29, Roberts told Miss Sinclair he had to go to Moscow the next day because the previous Ambassador had been shot. Miss Sinclair had asked if they could be married right away, and the Rev. Robert Campbell married them at the guesthouse. Roberts then falsely swore his occupation was an ambassador at Canberra, and had signed his name in the register as “Jackson.” Detective Stirton added.