ALLEGED FRAUD.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17189, 5 November 1923, Page 8

ALLEGED FRAUD.

WRESTLERS IN COURT. Per Press Association. AUCKLAND, November 5. -Maliamed Ali Sunni and Theodore O udding, professional wrestlers, were charged in the Supreme Court to-day i with conspiring to defraud .John Sercombe. City Council employee, and his wile ot £305 by pretending that Gudding should win a wrestling bout at Napier last June. ■Mi* Meredith, the Crown Prosecutor, said that the charges amounted to an accusation of swindling, and the allegations suggested something most unsportsmanlike. Gudding introduced Soreombe to Sunni, who persuaded Sev combe to become a backer, with the result that Sercombe put up £6O of his own and borrowed £l5O from his wife and other sums from bis workmates. Sunni got the money covered by Indians and was supposed to take down nis fellow-countrymen, but when the match took place he was declared the winner. On returning to Auckland he assured Sercombe that liis money was ! all right, “and,” added counsed. “ ap-J parentlv it was. for Sunni kept it.” | Gudding told Sercombe that Sunni got ] a grip on him. nearly breaking his Knee. He was unable, despite every effort, to overcome him. After the match he told Sunni that Sunni was no good. In evidence. Sercombe said that h j did not attach any blame to Gudding. (Proceeding.)