FALSE PRETENCES

Waikato Times, Volume 107, Issue 17981, 28 March 1930, Page 8

FALSE PRETENCES

OPERATIONS IN WAIKATO. HAMILTON FIRMS DEFRAUDED. AUCKLAND, Friday. “ He must be able to tell a pretty good tale, as he got about £4OO in goods and money,” said Chief-Detec-tive Hammond when John Ryan, alias James Hamilton, was charged with fraud. Chief-Detective Hammond said Ryan was married and had a family, and resided in Auckland. He had apparently set out on an expedition to get “ easy money ” in February. He called at a branch bank in Newton, stating his name was Hamilton, and obtained blank cheques. He then visited a city store, where he presented a cheque for £IOO and bought a gold watch, other jewellery and some clothing, of a total value of £SO. Accused returned next day and opened an account with the firm’s banking department with another false cheque. His next step was to go to Tauranga, Matamata, and Hamilton, ■where he had operated on his account. He had been dealt with in Hamilton on these charges. Accused then opened an account at the Bank, of Australasia in Hamilton with a deposit of £ls, drawing out £l4 10s the next day and coming to Auckland. Here he presented cheques against the Hamilton account, going from one city store to another, obtaining goods and change in each case. In reply to Mr F. K. Hunt, S.M., the chief detective said accused had been merely convicted and discharged in Hamilton. “ They left it to Your Worship,” he said. “Ryan had about £79 on him when he was arrested, and i think this should be distributed among the firms concerned on a pro rata basis." The Magistrate remanded Ryan for sentence. SENT TO GAOL FOR YEAR. SEVERAL FIRMS IMPOSED ON. 'By Telegraph.—Press Association.) AUCKLAND, Friday. John Ryan, alias Hamilton, aged 60, who imposed on various firms to the extent of £4OO by valueless cheques, was sentenced to twelve months’ imprisonment, followed by twelve months’ reformative.