CUNNING SWINDLER

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23517, 4 June 1938, Page 20

CUNNING SWINDLER

HE DECEIVED WOMEN NURSE CHEATED OF SAVINGS Described by the police as a “plausible and convincing liar,” George Hayward, aged 58, was sentenced at Worcester Quarter Sessions to three years’ penal servitude. He pleaded guilty to the fraudulent conversion of sums amounting to £250, belonging to Miss Elda May Reeve, a nurse living at Malvern Link. Mr H. A. Tucker, prosecuting, explained that Hayward inserted an advertisement in a Worcester newspaper in March last year under the heading “Matrimonial.” It read; “Gentleman, aged 50, widower and childless, desirous of setting up house, would appreciate correspondence with a lady with a similar desire.” Miss Reeve replied, and met Hayward, who posed as a successful business man of 30 years’ standing. He persuaded her at various times to part with sums of £l5O, £2O, and £BO, which she drew out of her savings.

Hayward promised to put the money into a joint account and to add similar amounts. Instead, he pul it into his own account in a bank at Edgbaston. After he had obtained the whole of Miss Reeve’s money his manner began to cool. Seeing another advertisement of a similar type in a newspaper, Miss Reeve became suspicious, and communicated with the police. Hayward was arrested, and it was then discovered tha f he had only £lO in his banking account. Superintendent Cooke read a long list of previous convictions, principally for swindling women under promise of marriage or buying them shares in bogus businesses.