ISSUE OF FORGED CHEQUES.

Northern Advocate, 19 December 1922, Page 2

ISSUE OF FORGED CHEQUES.

AN INGENIOUS PRACTICE. | THREE DRAPERY FIRMS DEFRAUDED. "WANTED TO VISIT HIS MOTHER." How a recent arrival from Auckland defrauded tliree of the largest drapery liouses in Wellington with the intention (so he said) of obtaining sufficient money to secure a passage to Australia to visit his mother, whom he had not seen for 14 years, was related to Mr. W. G. Riddell, S.M., in the Magistrate's Court in Wellington. The accused answered to the name of Frederick Marsten, alias Logan, alias Marshall, and was described as a tailor. He was charged with forging three cheques for £40 each on the name of George Miles, and with causing Francis O'Neill, Edith Mary Robertson, and John Moug to act upon them as if they were genuine. Chief-Detective Kemp prosecuted, and accused was represented by Mr. A. B. Sievwright.

The evidence of several witnesses disclosed an ingenious practice. On the morning of November 29 Marsten presented himself to the manager of Kirkcaldie and Stains Ltd., and, with an air of assurance, said that his name was George Miles, a taxi proprietor, in business at Frankton, find submitted a business card, to prove his bona fides. He desired to make some purchases, and asked if the firm would be kind enough to cash a cheque for £40. A perusual of the directory showed the name, address, and occupation of "George Miles," and without any suspicioon Mansten was sold the goods and handed change from the cheque. At the D.I.C. a similar story was told, and equally successful results, as far as accused.' was concerned, were achieved. When asked for references at tlic next place he visited, C. Smith's Ltd., Marsten said that he was staying at the Empire Hotel, room 15. At noon the same day the secretary of the firm telephoned room No. 15 and found that it was occupied by a Mr. Marsten. £ ' Oh, Miles is all right," was the reply. "He is just having lunch with me." Evidence concerning acceptance of the cheques was given by Frederick Grafton Page (manager of Kirkcaldie and Stains Ltd.), and Francis O'Neill (the cashier), Howard C. Foster (assistant manager of the D.1.C.), and Edith May Robertson (the cashier); and William Reid, the secretary of C. Smith Ltd., and John Moug (draper's assistant).

George Miles, a taxi proprietor, of Frankton, said he could not identify accused. Towards the. end of last month, however, while waiting on the stand, he was approached by* a stranger, who asked him to drive him to a place where he could procure some blank chequc forms. Witness replied that he had a number at home, and when they arrived there the man purchased half-a-dozen, five from one book and one from another. Just before leaving the car at the station the stranger secured a number of business cards from witness, telling him that he would be able to put a deal of business his way. The numbers on the cheques produced corresponded with, the butt figures in witness's books. In reply to Mr. Sievwright, witness said that the signatures were nothing like his. Detective Walsh, who liad arrested accused, outlined a statement, in which Marsten admitted the offences. The total value of the goods was estimated at £79 lis 2d, while the cash obtained amounted to £40 8s lOd. }

Detective Harrold said that the goods and money, with the exception of a suit of clothes and £4 18s lOd, had been recovered. Accused had stated that he had been recently discharged from gaol with £8 in his possession, and that one of the conditions of his release was that he return to Australia. The commission of the offences, he had said, was a method of securing the wherewithal to discharge that obligation. When given the opportunity to make a statement, accused said that as he had not seen his mother for the last fourteen years, he wanted to return to Australia. The Prisons Board liad released him on the understanding that he leave the country. His Worship: That will be placed before the Higher Court by your counsel. Accused pleaded guilty to all charges and was committed for sentence.