MAN WITH A DOUBLE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20898, 13 June 1931, Page 3 (Supplement)

MAN WITH A DOUBLE.

ANSWER TO A CHARGE FOUR-FOLD IDENTITY MISTAKE. Although ho was picked out in an identification parade by four people, who g.'ivo sworn evidence that lie was the man concerned in an alleged diamond fraud, Max Bass, aged 43, a Russian, was able to prove a successful alibi at Brighton, England, and ho was discharged. Bass, who was brought from Strangowavs Prison, Manchester, where he was awaiting trial, was charged with conspiring with another man lo obtain £7OO from Isidore Grunhaus, a fancy goods dealer, of Brighton, by selling him a box of paste stones iis diamonds. At an identification parade held, at Straugeways, Mr. Grunhaus picked out Bass from 25 other men as (ho one who sold him thjp "diamonds." A second parade was held at Brighton, where Grunhaus' wife, a shop assistant, and a hotel-keeper nil picked out Bass as one of the (wo men concerned in the alleged fraud. Bass was charged beforo the Brighton magistrates, and all four people gave sworn evidence against him. A sensation was then caused by Bass denying the charges, through an interpreter, and declaring that ho was serving a term of imprisonment in Paris at tho timo of the alleged fraud. The hearing was adjourned so that his statement could be verified. A second sensation was caused when the case was resumed, and prosecuting counsel announced that Bass' statement had proved to be perfectly true. !' Tho salient facts upon which tho police acted," declared counsel, " were that four separate persons definitely identified Bass as the person involved. Now we find that ho was actually in prison in Paris at tho time. I can offer no explanation. He appears to be in tho happy position of having a double." When the magistrates dismissed the case Bass asked for a copy of the proceedings (o be. sent to the prison authorities at Manchester so that he could lodge a complaint against those responsible for the charge. The application was refused, and Bass was led from tho court protesting excitedly in Russian.