BEAUTIFUL GIRL’S FRAUDS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 19864, 5 February 1920, Page 4

BEAUTIFUL GIRL’S FRAUDS.

AMBITION, HIGH LIFE—

AND THE DOCK.

TO WED ON LEAVING GAOL.

“ Your great abilities, your charm of manner and appearance, and your opportunities have led to one thing only —your appearance in the criminal dock at these assizes.”

These were Mr Justice M’Cardie's words in sentencing Mary Brady,' the fascinating and beautiful Manchester cashier, who pleaded guilty at Manchester Assizes last December to converting to her own uso the sums of £B2O, £713 and £SOO and to falsifying tho cash book of her employers. Shu was sentenced to twelve months’ imprisonment. The trial lasted thirtyfive minutes.

Sir E., Marshall-Hall, K.C., who defended, announced that an officer who was engaged to Miss Brady was still willing to marry her when the term of imprisonment was ended.

Mr Justice M’Cardie agreed that it was a most unhappy ease. ‘‘lt is a case which causes me as a judge, deep personal grief.” Later ho said; “J can see no element of romance in this case. I can see only the degradation and dishonour of theft.” THE CLOSING SCENE. From the moment she entered the dock Miss Brady controlled her emotion with difficulty. At the moment when sentence was passed she seemed in danger of being overcome. With head thrown back a little, sho stood with closed eyes, a very sorrowful but a dignified and beautiful woman. She swayed a little, turned and, the wardress taking her arm, descended the stops. The court was thronged with fashionably dressed women. Crowds waited in queues outside the courts from 8 a.m. Scores wore unable to obtain admission. No case in Manchosterjias so intrigued tho public. For months Alias Brady, who is a tall, distinguished looking woman of twenty-nine, lived at the Midland Hotel. In addition to her work as cashier for Messrs Thor Thoreseu and Co. ; sbipbrokers, she had a jewellery business in St Ana’s Passage, Manchester’s most fashionable shopping centre. JEWELS AND FURS. Miss Brady was arrested at the Hotel Metropole, Brighton. The sale of her effects by order,of the Official Receiver created a stir. Her jewellery realised over £IOOO, her diamond ring alone bringing £2OO. There were a gold cigarette case, a gold card-case inscribed “To Molly,” and a tortoiseshell toilet set. Included also were a new sixty-guinea sequin gown, a £SOO fur coat, 100 evening and other dresses, scores of pairs of slices, some choice wines, and a roulette table. Sho had bought also a housp in Victoria Park, tho residence of a former Manchester lord mayor. The estate in all realised £B4OO.

Mr Laagdon, K.C., for the prosecution, said that Miss Brady had been for seven or eight years in tho service of Messrs Thor Thoresen (U.K.), Ltd. Sho had a salary for some time of £4 per week, and later £4 IDs. When arrested, she said, “ I cannot deny having had tho money, but I can get my friends to help mo to repay it.” ‘‘ Do you know how much it is?” asked tho officer, and her reply was, “About £10,000.”

Mr Justice M’Cardio: Did she take £10,000? Mr Lnngdon; As far as the information of the accountant goes, the sum was largely in excess of that amount’. Sir E. Marshall-Hall, K.C., for the defence, called Mr J. Grant Gibson, the Official Receiver.

Mr Langdon; Have her employers put in a proof? ’What is the amount? -£22,000.

LOSSES AT CARDS,

Tho Judge; Is there anything to show how much she would lose at cards? —Mr Gibson; I don’t think she could tell me the amount. Some thousands of pounds. Where was that lost?—At the Midland Hotel.

*Sir B. Marshall-Hall, for the defence, said that had the facts been put into a novel by some popular author they would have been looked upon as so improbable* ns to be ridiculous Her father was an inspector in tho Koval Irish Constabulary. Ho died when sho was fourteen. Sho was educated at a convent. She was a woman of extraordinary business rapacity. She lived with her mother, and when her mother was away she went and took rooms at the Midland Hotel. She became impregnated with great ambition. She mixed with people who were kind to her, and she got into a position of life that she could not maintain on her salary. Tho- defalcations at first were very small. -Sho weni/on drawing larger and larger cheques. She was swamped by the drains upon her, and was led on to play cards and games of chance. She got deeper and deeper into debt. “She has nothing of any sort or shape, is without a penny, and she ,v< ruined. There is no suggestion of any immorality.’’

“I hope that this case will warn all —both iuen and women—that integrity of character is tho only basis of lasting happiness,” said the judge in passing sentence of twelve months.