PITIFUL STORY

Evening Star, Issue 22881, 12 February 1938, Page 1

PITIFUL STORY

SUCCESS ICO EASY! CLEVER DOCTOR'S DOWNFALL , That the downfall of » 37-year-old doctor, described by his solicitor as; “ undoubtedly brilliant,” was due to] the ease in which he had mounted ini his profession, coupled with the desire] for drink, was suggested when he ap-j peared in the dock at Manchester. Dr Frederick- Syson, of no settled* address, stated to be the son of a; Glasgow doctor of high standing* pleaded guilty to a charge of obtaining] £4 by false pretences from another doc-’ tor. Detective-inspector Floyd told th«j court that Dr Syson wished four other,! cases to be taken into consideration—, two of false pretences, one of stealing, a clock from another doctor, and one of breach of recognisance. On October, 23 Dr Syson, accompanied by Ms wife; and two children, called at the house’ of Dr Samuel Smith Andrew, in Failsworth, near Manchester. He introduced himself as Dr Syson, saying that, he spent his time doing locum work. FATHER’S POSITION. “He told Dr Andrew that Ms father, was seriously ill in Glasgow,” the 1 officer continued, “ and asked him for, £5 to go to Scotland. He said he had only Is 6d and had had to pawn his trousers the previous day. “ He made out a post-dated cheque for £4 on a piece of paper, and also an lOU. The cheque was later returned from the bank., marked ‘No account.’ ” Addressing the magistrates, Mr W* L. Kitchen, defending, declared that the charge “ hid a pitiful story. His father, aged 7.1, is a doctor of some high standing in Glasgow,” Mr Kitchen continued, “and accused is undoubtedly a brilliant doctor. It may, be the ease with which he Has mounted in his profession and Ms desire for drink which have brought about Ms downfall. “ He has one weakness, an inordinate craving for drink. It is a weakness Which has pursued Mm_ for years. The ; effect of, alcohol upon him -is to produce’ a slight mental weakness under which; he is liable to commit petty thefts. PROMISE OF RESTITUTION; “ In 1928 Dr Syson was examinedby two of the most eminent specialists in Scotland, and attended at two private .institutions. . “ The treatment was. not successful as he managed to get liquor-iromsomel secret source all the time he was being' treated.” ; ’ Dp to last Christmas, when Ms mother died, Mr Kitchen added, he had plenty of money to buy drink, but] since then he had suddenly been pressed* for money. If the magistrates would deal leniently with Mm he would undertake to* enter a nursing home and make restitution to the people concerned, Mr Kitchen concluded, “if he sentenced he will be struck off .thef medical register, and if that happens; he Will never be out of the hands of the police.” w _ Mrs Syson, in evidence, stated ■ that her husband had probably been spoiled* as he was allowed to bave as. mbch money as b© wanted \prior to Ms mother’s death.. ■

Binding him over for two years. the chairman of the Bench, Mr JamesPearson, expressed the hope that he would make good his promise, as he; had been treated leniently because’ oft his wife and two children.