“MAJOR” AND HIS DINNERS

Evening Star, Issue 21945, 4 February 1935, Page 14

“MAJOR” AND HIS DINNERS

FRAUDS IN THE WEST END The “ major ” who recently duped a number of London hotel proprietors by arranging impressive regimental reunion dinners which never took place has gone one better. This person is believed to be the man who victimised a famous West End restaurant by arranging an elaborate dinner for a party of sixteen, in payment of which he gave a spurious cheque. The man, who described himself as a “ major ” and Avas of small but distinguished appearance, called at the restaurant early in the day and arranged for the dinner. He chose a tasteful and expensive menu, and included food and wines to suit, he said, the palates of his friends. In the evening the “ major ” and his fifteen friends arrived, and enjoyed the dinner. Then he found that he had forgotten to bring sufficent money to meet the considerable bill. His conversation and manner, together with an impx - essi\ ; e address in the country, enabled him to persuade the proprietor of the restaurant to take a cheque as payment for the meal. Then the “ major’s ” cheque was dishonoured, and repeated attempts to get into touch with him failed. A warrant for his arrest followed.

The “ major,” in his previous escapades, has engaged restaurants at famous West End hotels for gueitfs numbering hctAvcen 200 and 300. He has described these dinners as reunions of members of a,' well-known regiment, and. after choosing the menus and making arrangements for these dinners, has usually persuaded each proprietor to cash a cheque for him.