CONFIDENCE TRICKSTER

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22444, 13 June 1936, Page 10

CONFIDENCE TRICKSTER

AUSTRALIAN ON RIVIERA FOUR YEARS' IMPRISONMENT [from a special correspoxdext] LONDON Mar 16, An Australian confidence trickster, Edward Cavendish, aged 4i, who was arrested last February in the Miramar Bar in Cannes, was found guilty by the Sice Criminal Court of defrauding Mr. Thomas Belcher, a Liverpool cotton merchant, of £SOOO and was sentenced to four years' hard labour. He was ordered to pay £"2009 —all the money that was found in his possession —back to Mr. Belcher. William Bradley, also said to be an Australian, and alleged to have acted as an accomplice in the fraud, was sentenced by default to five years' imprisonment. But before he serves it the police must catch himCavendish arrived on the Riviera at the beginning of this year. He soon became known for his lavish spending and heavy gambling. He told his friends he was a successful stockbroker. One of his many acquaintances, Mr. Thomas Belcher, was so impressed that hfi readily consented to hand over £SOOO to invest for him. Fortunately, Mr. Belcher mentioned his "investment to a friend, who at once reported it to the police. Cavendish, already under suspicion! was immediately arrested. The Irene police said he had been convicted on six previous occasions in England. Australia, Holland and "the United States, on charges of robbery and swindling. He had been expelled' from 1 ranee m 1928.