AMAZING SWINDLER.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLII, Issue 10114, 23 October 1917, Page 6

AMAZING SWINDLER.

PAUL LOU BETS LIFE STORY. , v ■ LONDON, Oct.. 9. Paul Rene Lou bet, who committed suicido .in Alexandra Gardens, Melbourne, on September 27, had :L remarkable career in England and France. I'-Lonbet served in the British Army as Dr. Black, and-Ycarried out medical duties in several ••units: 'file falsity of his diplomas ,\yaßC<liscbvered, and he was criminally; charged with giving a certificate of death. He was handed over to the military, tried l>y, court-martial, cashiered, and sent to France under escort: He was placed in a line rcg|m,ent, and acted |\s as-istaiu-medi-caLollieerund stretcher-bearer. His conduct was infamous, and the French authorities di&eliarged' him us an undesirable. •Before the war, he acted as locum ienens in 'the. provinces of England, and later masqueraded as a naval officer, swindling London shopkcepers-and hotels. ':■', LoitWet. was found in Alexandra Garden?, :.Me|lkJU|'ne, on September 17, suffering front harcotie. pbisoningi ■anptn'ontly' hypodermically.administered, and was taken to the. base hospital, .where .ho died the same. <Ja>v The coroner returned a verdict, of suicide, doelating that, there was evidence- of meut.'il imsqundne-ss.' .Loubet »as •rcepg'ni.sed.i by Somo army medical officers as "Captaui Paul ,Loubet; formerly an ollicer in the French army.'' His wife declared that she .married Lou bet on July 31, but had not.' seen him since September 25. ■ Detective'' P. J> Piggofct stated that, on September 23 Loubet admitted that ho was an.unregistered practitioner, and,gtat-ct> tljathe had presented himself to Melbourne Univirsity to. secure status as. M.8., in.oldei' that he might, be examined for thfc degree of ALU. llci admitted having presented to the Registrar of the .University a document which.purported to be the diploma of the degree of M.R.. Ha.ri»< and that' iho document was a:, forgery. 'T-q had ilestroyfed: that (locumtmt; .'s ■ ■;■• •*' . ; He hud also.prpduced forged papers purporting that he had been a nledioa] officer to' the French Consulate in New Caledonia. Ilcj was never in New Caledonia. Ho had also posed as a French captain, and as ppsses. t iin<>ithe French decoration of the Legion of' Honour.