A GIPSY’S STARE.

Manawatu Herald, Volume LIII, Issue 4872, 18 February 1933, Page 1

A GIPSY’S STARE.

BANK TELLERS FLEECED,

Auckland, Fell. 10.

Stephen Sterio, aged 25, the Ans-tralian-bovn Greek gipsy, who was before the Court last week, was sentenced to-day to six months’ hard labour for stealing a total of £67 7s (id from four tellers in city hanks. He pleaded guilty. The prosecutor read statements made by the tellers. The accused usually requested change for a note, and then offered to tell the teller’s fortune. He crossed the teller’s hand with silver. “Then,” said one teller whose experience was typical, “he asked me to produce some paper money, and after hesitation I brought some loose five and ten pound notes from a drawer and held them in front of me. I did not allow him to handle them. He held his two hands on my hand which held the notes, and told me to look at him and repeat certain words, such as ‘Bless me, brother.’ He told lire to keep looking at him. He then let go my hand, and told me to ,blow on the notes and I would win £9OO next- month. I cannot say for sure if he had his hand on the notes. I felt a funny sort of feeling which I cannot describe. In checking up my cash I found there -as £ls short.” Another teller said he considered the accused had employed a conjuring trick to get the money. They all spoke of his steady stare. The police saiTl that the accused had had convictions in Australia and England. The Magistrate, Mr F. K. Hunt, asked how much money he had, and the police replied that he had over £200.'

The Magistrate ordered restituion of the money to the tellers.