SERIES OF FRAUDS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20525, 28 March 1930, Page 16

SERIES OF FRAUDS.

CITY SHOPS VICTIMISED. MANY VALUELESS CHEQUES. OFFENCES BY ELDERLY MAN. " He must bo able to tell a pretty good tale, as he got about £4OO in goods and money," said Chief-Detective Hammond when nine charges of obtaining money and goods, mostly articles of clothing, of a total value of £225 12s 3d, with valueless cheques, were preferred, in the Police Court yesterday, against John Ryan, alias James Hamilton, aged 60. The frauds, which were admitted, were all committed between February 19 and March 7. Mr. Hammond said Ryan was married and had a family, and resided in Auckland. lie had apparently set out on an expedition to get "easy money" in February. He called at a branch bank in Newton, slating his name was Hamilton, and obtained blank cheques. Ho then visited a city store, where he presented a cheque for £IOO and bought a gold watch,- other jewellery and some clothing, of a total value of £SO. Accused returned next day and opened an account with the firm's banking department with another false cheque. His next step was to go to Tauranga, Matamata and Hamilton, where ho had operated on his account. He had been dealt with in Hamilton on these charges.

Accused then opened an account at the Bank of Australasia in Hamilton with a deposit of £ls, drawing out £l4 10s tho next day and coming to Auckland. Here he presented cheques against the Hamilton account, starting on a Friday evening and going from ono city storo to another, obtaining goods and change in each case. He visited six shops, cashing cheques to the extent of £lls, and used any name that came into his mind. In reply to Mr. F. K. Hunt, S.M., the chief detectiv.o said accused had been merely convicted and discharged in Hamilton. " They left it to Your Worship," he said. "Ryan had about £79 on him when he was arrested, and I think this should bo distributed among the firms concerned on a pro rata basis. He also had tho watch, hut a quantity of tho other goods was thrown into the harbour. He did not want tho goods—all he wanted was tho cash. Wo know nothing about him or why he broke out in this way." Tho magistrate remanded Ryan for sentence until this morning, instructing the probation officer to make a report. Mr. Hammond then stated that ho would reduce ono charge relating to £SO so that accused could be dealt with summarily.