CHARGE OF FRAUD

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 22994, 23 March 1938, Page 16

CHARGE OF FRAUD

.WOMAN FROM MELBOURNE "CLEVER AND PLAUSIBLE" LONDON. March 13 Mary Graham Downing, aged 50, of Melbourne, was sentence: 1 at the Old Bailey to 15 months' imprisonment for fraudulently converting to her own use £3OO which she admitted having received from Mrs. Isabella Alexander in order to buy railway shares. The prosecutor stated that accused was bound over in Sydney in 1932 for false pretences. Her maiden name was Eleanora Drummond, and she was born at St. Kilda, Victoria, going to England in 1934. She was arrested in 1935 on a charge of stealing jewellery, and absconded from bail, as a result of which a warrant for her arrest still existed. She was summoned for an offence, in connection with national health stamps in 1936 and again absconded. "She was penniless when arrested," added the prosecutor. "Her shoes wero worn to. the soles of her feot. While in Australia in 1932 sho posed as Lady Dowling." Common Sergeant Whiteley: She seems to bo an extremely clever woman. The Prosecutor: Sho has ruined a number of j>coplc. The Common Sergeant (to accused): I have come to the conclusion that you are a very clever, vory plausible •woman, from whom the public must be protected.