THEFT AND FRAUD

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23150, 23 September 1938, Page 16

THEFT AND FRAUD

GAOL FOR LABOURER YOUNG NURSE DUPED COURTSHIP IN AUCKLAND MONEY OBTAINED FROM FARMER The story of how a labourer made tho acquaintance of a nurse through a matrimonial agency, proposed marriage and then defrauded her of £29 l;>s was unfolded in the Police Court yesterday before Mr. C. K. Orr Walker, S.M., when Ernest William Sampson, labourer, aged 33, faced charges of theft and false pretences involving a total sum of £BB 15s. He pleaded guilty. The manner in which accused had induced a Carterton farmer to advance. £SO by telling him lie owned a rubber plantation at Montevideo, which he had been forced to leave "owing to the political situation" was also disclosed by the prosecution. Detective-Sergeant Trethewev produced statements in which accused admitted the charges. Accused said he took a position on a farm at Carterton and told the farmer, who was ill, that he had to leave his rubber plantation at Montevideo. Ho had no intention of defrauding tho tanner, but when his story was believed and the farmer was anxious to help he took advantage of an offer of assistance. Engagement to Marry Statements were also produced in which accused admitted defrauding an Auckland nurse to whom he was engaged, of sums of £8 15s and £2l. "The thefts in these two cases are I contemptible," said Detective-Sergeant McHugh, who prosecuted. "In June last accused got in touch with a young nurso through a matrimonial agency. Ho made love to her and they became engaged. He said ho was an engineer receiving £l2 a week and that he had been defrauded by a man at Huntly. The nurso then lent him £8 15s. " Ho continued to court this young lady and took her to Devonport aivl showed her a house with a notice indicating it was for salo. Ho said he was going to buy it for her by selling some shares he held. Ho then induced her to lend him £2l and he disappeared to Wellington. He sent for further money and she notified the police." Accused went to work for a sirk man at Carterton in August, added Mr. McHugh. Ho told this farmer a great story that he had £7OOO in the Bank of England and a rubber plantation. The farmer then lent accused £SO to make arrangements for having his money sent to Now Zealand. Comment by Magistrate " He is a young man and it appears that since lie was 19 years of age lie has been living a criminal life," said Mr.' McHugh. "Ho lias been up for fraud on occasions since 1923 and is a real 'take-down.' " " There is nothing very much you can say," said the magistrate, when accused said he had nothing to say.

On a charge of theft involving £2 accused was sentenced to three months' hard labour. For obtaining £7 10s by false pretences aft Tuakau he was sentenced to six months' hard labour. On tho expiration of that term he will be detained in prison for reformative purposes for 18 months. On the two charges of defrauding the nurse accused was admitted to probation for three years. He was also ordered to nlake restitution of £BB 15s.