BOGUS CHARITY APPEALS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22545, 12 April 1935, Page 18

BOGUS CHARITY APPEALS

AMAZING LONDON CASE PEEKS’ NAMES MISUSED. A director of charity appeals was sentenced at the Old Bailey, London, recently to four years’ penal servitude for obtaining charitable contributions oy false pretences. He was Walter Tyson, aged 52, and the prosecution alleged that through a bogus organisation—the National Child Welfare Society—he had obtained £3995 from members of the public. During the hearing Lord Mestou and Lord Mamhead gave evidence, and Detective Inspector Drewe, of Scotland Yard, said that there had been several complaints that Tyson had at various times issued circulars bearing the names of peers who had not authorised him to use, them There were six counts on the indictment, all relating to the National Child Welfare Society, and accused was found guilty on every one. Detective Inspector Drewe stated Tyson had been connected with various societies in London and the provinces. In 1914 he was granted a commission in the Royal Army Service Corps, but in 1910 he was asked to resign owing to unsatisfactory conduct. After the war he was associated with two or three charity organisations, but resigned from one when about to be questioned about the accounts, and was dismissed from another when he used the name of Lady Ryall without authorisation. “ During the three months in 1929, when he was organising a special appeal on behalf of the National Sailors’ Society, he collected £4390,” said the inspector. “He paid over £3127 to the society, and this entitled him to £025 commission. As a matter of fact, Tyson always sees that a charity with which he is connected is a business proposition,” added the officer. In May, 1930, after Tyson had started the National Child Welfare Society, Viscount Gage received an appeal from the society, and, under the impression that it was another well-known organisation for the promotion of child welfare, agreed to become associated with it. A facsimile of Lord Gage’s signature was used on appeals, and when Tyson was interviewed about the mattei Lord Gage could obtain no information about the society, so he disclaimed all further connection with it. During 1930 the name of Viscount Gage was joined with that of Tyson in an action against the society for £B9 for printing. Lord Gage was discharged from the case and judgment was given against Tyson. Difficulty had always been experienced regarding the settlement of debts in connection with the society, and in sonic cases writs had been issued against people of whose names unauthorised use had been made on documents. The actions were dismissed. “ On January 0 Tyson ordered stationery valued at £500,” continued the officer, “ When he was asked by the printers who would foot the bill he said, “Need I suggest any further?” and produced a document bearing the signatures of five peers, which were unauthorised.” Passing sentence of four years’ penal servitude, the Common Sergeant said that it was impossible to imagine a clearer case. It had been going on for a long time. “ Speaking for myself,” continued the judge, “ fraud on charitable funds seems to be more despicable and more mean than any other fraud can be. The public have to be protected from a very clever and able man such as you undoubtedly are.”