FALSE PRETENCES

Dominion, Volume 19, Issue 88, 8 January 1926, Page 10

FALSE PRETENCES

SELLING “SHARES” IN A JAM FACTORY SERIES OF CHARGES ADMITTED By TELEGRArn. — Press Association. Auckland, January 7. The story of how six people parted with nearly £6OO, on the representation of Robert Ruff, a man of 45 years of age, that he was about to start a factory for the manufacture of home-made delicacies, was told in the Magistrate’s Court this morning, when Ruff pleaded guilty to four charges of obtaining money by false pretences. John Reed, labourer, stated that he borrowed £lO2 from a friend and gave it to Ruff. He got into touch with Ruff through an advertisement, and Ruff said lie was going to commence business in Auckland for the manufacture of jams and pickles, and wanted money to purchase plant. John Henry and Frederick Ryder stated that they paid £‘24o for a onethird share each in the business; Herbert Lately stated that he paid £l4l for a half-share; Kenneth Reid said lie paid £5O for a half-share; aud Mary Sudley that she paid £55 10s for a halfshare, and got £l6 back in small sums. Detective Hammond stated that accused admitted the offences and also admitted getting £2OO from two other men. Ruff was committed to the Supreme Court for sentence.