OLD TRICK FAILS

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20619, 21 November 1941, Page 3

OLD TRICK FAILS

LETTER TO BOOKMAKER BETS AFTER RACES RUN An unusual case of attempted fraud war. heard by Mr. W. H. Freeman, S.M., at Hamilton when Michael Evans, aged 38, a seaman (Mr. W. J. King), pleaded guilty to a charge of attempting to obtain £36 10s by means of false pretence?. Detective-Sergeant J. Thompson said that accused posted a letter to himself on October It). -Me received it the next day after he knew the results of the To A roll a races. He then changed tho address on the envelope to that of a bookmaker and had the letter, which contained bets, delivered to the bookmaker. expecting him to accept the bets because of the previous day’s postmark on the stamp.

Later accused made a complaint to the postmaster with respect to the alleged non-delivery of the letter. Mr. Thompson continued. The complaint was unfounded, and the bets were not accepted. The trick was an old one and had no chance of succeeding. Mr. King said that accused had served with the New Zealand Forces in Suva. He had spent many months in hospital, and would always have to observe a special diet. The magistrate said that in view of accused’s service and health he would admit him to probation for 12 months.