TOOK RAJAH DOWN

Grey River Argus, 16 February 1945, Page 5

TOOK RAJAH DOWN

R. COMMANDER SENTENCED LONDON, Feb. 15 The “Daily Express” says: John Prescott Hallett, who is believed to be a native of Sydney, Australia, and who formerly was a R.A.F. Wing Commander, and also a London Company director, and a member of famous London clubs, is being brought back to England from India to serve a sentence of twelve years’ penal servitude. The sentence was imposed for his unlawfully obtaining £260,000 from a Maharajah. Hallett who has been a member of the S. Intelligence Staff, pleaded guilty before a court martial, to approaching a wealthy Indian with offers of concessions for properties in Burma and to claiming that he was acting with Lord Mountbatten’s authority. The first hint leading to Hallett’s downfall was when it was noticed that he was spending money lavishly. A special investigation of the R.A.F. branch discovered that he sent sixty thousand sterling to London. Only £l3 was found in a safe in his quarters when he was arrested.