WOMAN DECEIVER.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLVI, Issue 46, 23 January 1926, Page 8

WOMAN DECEIVER.

KERR’S WINNING WAY. AN INGENIOUS FRAUD. Harold Richardson Kerr, a young man, 22 years of age and by occupation a traveller, appeared in the I olice Court at Wellington to answer charges of obtaining sums amounting to £l7 from several women in Wellington by means of falsely representing himself to be a personal friend of male members of their families. To ail charges accused pleaded guilty. Acting-Chief Detective Walsh, in outlining l tho police case, stated that Kerr made a practice of calling at houses during the daytime and asking for certain male members of tho family. When told that they were not in Iverr invariably explained that he was a great friend of the absent members and wished them to identify him at a bank so that he could draw some money. He told his story so plausibly that tho women usually lent him a small sum of money, with the result that he had defrauded quite a number of persons. “The accused,’’ stated Detective Walsh, “has admitted eleven similar offences at Auckland, Marion. Palmerston North and Wanganui, and those are being inquired into. He left Wellington by the Moeraki on : oute to Melbourne, but he was arrested at Bluff shortly before the steamer was due to depart. He has two previous convictions for theft and one for false pretences.” Mr T. P. Cleary, on behalf of the defence, submitted that in view of Kerr’s behaviour his family had decided to despatch him to Australia, there to make a fresh start. When this was decided upon the charges of false presences had not been made against Kerr. Even at this late stage, submitted counsel, if it wore found possible to allow accused to proceed to Australia he would bo given a fair opportunity to make.reparation. The Magistrate (Mr E. Page. S.M.): I intend to impose a term of reformative detention. On the first charge accused will*bo sentenced to reformative detention for a period of two years. On each of the remaining charges he will be convicted and ordered to come up for sentence when called upon within two years.