MAN WITH A DOUBLE

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 74, Issue 146, 23 June 1931, Page 10

MAN WITH A DOUBLE

ANSWER TO A CHARGE FOUR FOLD IDENTITY MISTAKE. Although he was picked out in an identification parade by four people, wh< gave sworn evidence that he was the man concerned in an alleged diamond fraud, Max Bass, aged 43, a Russian, was able io prove a successful alibi at Brighton, England, and he was discharged. Bass, who was brought from Strangways Prison, Manchester, where he was awaiting trial, was charged with conspiring with another man to obtain £7OO from Isidore Grunhaus, a fancy goods dealer, of Brighton, by selling hirr a box of paste stones as diamonds. At an identification parade held at Strangeways, Mr Grunhaus picked out Bass from 25 ocher men as the one who sold him the “diamonds.” A second parade was held at Brigh ton, where Grunhaus’ wife, a shop assistant, and a hotel keeper all picked out Bass as one of the two men concerned in the alleged fraud. Bass w’as charged before the Brighton magistrates, and all four people gave sworn evidence against him. A sensation was then caused by Bass denying the charges, through an interpreter, and declaring ‘hat he was serving a term of imprisonment in Paris at the time of the alleged fraud. The hearing was adjourned so that his statement could be verified. A second ! sensation was caused when the case was resumed, and prosecuting counsel announced that Bass’ statement had proved to bo perfectly true. “The salient facts upon which the police acted,” declared counsel, “were that four separate persons definitely identified Bass as the person involved. Now wo find that he was actually in prison iu Paris at th-; time. 1 can offer no explanation. He appears to be in the happy position of having a double.” When the magistrates dismissed the caso Bass asked for a copy of the proceedings to be sent, to the prison , authorities at Manchester so that he could lodge a complaint against those ; responsible for the charge. The application was refused, and Bass was led from the court protesting excitedly in Russian.