A GYPSY'S STARE

Evening Post, Volume CXV, Issue 39, 16 February 1933, Page 13

A GYPSY'S STARE

BANK TELLERS FLEECED

HARD LABOUR SENTENCE

(By Telegraph.—Press Association.) 1 AUCKLAND, This Day. Stephan Sterio, aged 25, the Austra-lian-born Greek gypsy, w ho was before the Court last week, was sentenced today to six months' bard labour for stealing a total of £67 7s 6d from four tellers in city banks. Ho pleaded gnilty. i read statements made oy the tellers. The accused usually requested change for a note, and then offered to.tell tho teller's fortune. Ho ?< r m.SGd,_ ho tell°r's hand with silver. ilien," said one teller whose experience was typical, "he asked mo to produce some paper money, and after hesitation I brought some loose and five and ten-pound notes from a, drawer and held them in front of me. I did not f *»llow him to. handle them. He held his two hands on my hand which held tho notes, and told me to look at him and repeat certain words, such as -Bless me, brother.' He told me to keep looking at him. He then let go my -hand, and told me to blow on the notes and I would win £900 next month. I cannot say for sure if he had his hand on the notes. I felt a funny sort of feeling which I cannot describe. In checking up my cash I found there, was £15 short." Another teller said he considered the accused had employed a conjuring trick to get the money They all spoke of his steady stare. The police said that the accused had had convictions in Australia and Ensland. ■■-. - 8 The Magistrate, Mr. F. K. Hunt, asked how much money he had, and tho police replied that.he had over £200. / The Magistrate ordered restitution of the money to the tellers.'