POSED AS JOCKEY

Evening Post, Volume CXXIX, Issue 16, 19 January 1940, Page 9

POSED AS JOCKEY

CHARGE OF FRAUD

REMANDED FOR SENTENCE

(By Telegraph—Press Association.),

AUCKLAND, This Day,

Charged that with intent to defraud he obtained from Ethel Wackrow, of Frankton Junction, two money order telegrams of a total value of £11 by falsely representing that he was Cliff Spratt, a jockey, a farm labourer, Clifford Douglas Keane, aged 25, appeared voluntarily in the Police Court today and pleaded guilty.

The police produced a statement to which Keane said he and a man named Allan Brown left a train hi \Frankton Junction and visited a counter-lunch place for a meal. Mrs. Wackrow asked if Keane was a jockey, and Brown said: "Yes.. His name is Spratt." Mrs. Wackrow asked if he knew anything good for the races, and Brown said, "Yes, there's a good joke coming off. We 'will put you on to it" Mrs. Wackrow said she would t wire money if they let her'know, where-to send it. They . telephoned t her from Wellington, and next day Keane received two telegraphic money orders, one for £5 and the other for £6 Keane had had words with Brown the previous night, and he (Keane) came back to Auckland with the money, losing £6 from his overcoat pocket and spending £5 on himself. He had no intention of putting the money •on the racehorse^,

Detective-Sergeant- McHugh said that Brown was arrested on another, charge and was at present serving' a sentence. Mr. Robinson, appearing for Keane, admitted that the defendant had been in trouble until two years ago, when he was discharged from prison. He had since married and had made a serious effort to lead a better life. Keane also made a strong plea for "just one more chance."

The Magistrate, Mr. J. Morling, adjourned the case .till Monday, ordering Keane to remain in custody until sentenced.