DUPED BY PALMIST.

Waikato Times, Volume 106, Issue 17840, 12 October 1929, Page 14 (Supplement)

DUPED BY PALMIST.

Remarkable credulity on the part of a woman, whose name was suppressed at the request of the prosecution, was revealed at Cromer when Costello Lee, a palmist, lodging at Chesterfield Cottages, Cromer, was charged on remand with stealing £lO9 8s 6d, and one gold ring set with five rubies, valued at £3. It was staled that one Saturday in July the woman, to whom the money and ring belonged, visited Cromer, and outside premises in ; Church Street, she saw a card which read, “Royal Gipsy Lee,, palmist.” ! She entered the place and saw accused, who read her ■hand. He told her of certain things which, he alleged, had taken place In the past, and prophesied as to what would happen in the future. Lee told her she would have good health,

NAME SUPPRESSED.

PUT MONEY ON THE CRYSTAL

‘ { live long, and there was a certain amount of money coming to her. Lee , charged her 2s 6d, which she paid, i anti he told her that he could help l her more effectually if she would hand him £2, so that he could put the money on a 'crystal. At that time the woman had not, got £2 in her possession. Site had 10s, which she gave Lee, and promised to send more, which she did. Lee promised that the money would he returned to her. How further sums were handed over to accused to be placed on 'the crystal was described by Mr C. B. j Hill prosecuting.—He stated that on one occasion the woman was told by Lee that In order To Obtain Better Results from the 'Crystal tl was necessary that

some more money should he placed on it. In order to help he'r he would draw £SO from the hank. Htj added that It was necessary that £IOO should be placed on the crystal with the ring, and he asked her If she would give £SO. On July 18 aJccused was visited by the woman, who gave him twenty. £1 notes. On July 22 she handed to him thirty £1 notes* On July 22 she handed to him thirty £1 notes. Later, during a further visit to accused’s rooms, she was told by 'him that the money he had put upon the crystal was not sufficient to attain the object he wished. Lee added that it was necessary -that another £SO should he placed on the crystal, and on August 3 she gave him that sum in notes. The money was given to Lee with the promise that it would be handed back to her, Becoming suspicious, the woman •s'aw Lee. He then stated that If Me gave her the ‘money 'baok it would break the charm. After his arrest and a remand by the magistrates Lee told a police inspector, “I wish to say I have informed the woman that she can have all her money back at the end of August." “This is a very se'rlous case,” observed the presiding magistrate In sentencing Lee to three months’ hard labour and fining him £SO. 'v