WASTED FORTUNE

Dominion, Volume 26, Issue 102, 24 January 1933, Page 14

WASTED FORTUNE

Barrister Sued for Debt

BIG SUM GAMBLED AWAY The story of a young barrister, who at baccarat and chemin-de-fer lost a fortune which he inherited from his father, was told in the King’s Bench Division, London. He was Mr. Basil Bieck, of Harecourt, Temple, who was «ued for £1616 and interest by Societe du Casino Municipal de Juan-les-Pins. The hearing was adjourned. The drawing and dishonouring of the cheques were admitted, and Mr. Gilbert Reyfus, opening Bieck’s case, explained that misfortunes befell him in the south of France. The cheques were dishonoured, not for the reason that he refused to pay, but having lost all he had no more with which to pay. He had been in the habit of going to Juan-les-Pins every summer from 1927 and playing baccarat and chemin-de-fer. When be first went there his father had recently died. Mr. Bleek inherited approximately £30,000, and this had disappeared. Mr. Reyfus submitted that the action could not succeed because of the previsions of the. Gaming Act. Such a debt could not be sued for in Britain, even though it might be recoverable in the country where the indebtedness was incurred. The casino’s alternative claim for money lent could not succeed because the lender was financially interested in the game at which the money was lost. Mr. Bieck stated in evidence that in the four years he was gambling at Juan-les-Pins and Cannes he lost approximately £24,000. He now had a post as a commercial traveller.

The manager of the plaintiff's gaming rooms, giving evidence, said: “I always found Mr. Bieck to be a man of honour, and I still believe him to be so.”