FALSE BIRTHMARK MISLED POLICE

Press, Volume XCV, Issue 28263, 29 April 1957, Page 12

FALSE BIRTHMARK MISLED POLICE

Australian Pleads Guilty To Theft (New Zealand Press Association) AUCKLAND, April 28. A false birthmark that was spread in crayon over the side of his face disguised a 32-year-old Australian workman, Frank Fletcher, from searching detectives Mr F. McCarthy, S.M., was' told in the Auckland Magistrate's Court yesterday. Arrested on Friday by detectives, Fletcher admitted stealing £414 in silver from a showman’s caravan at the Easter Show at Epsom last Tuesday night. He was remanded in custody for a week for sentence, and was also remanded on charges of converting a rental car and wilfully damaging a police car. Mr D. M. P. Martin, the police prosecutor, said about £252’ of the stolen silver was recovered, still wrapped in the bank bags it was stored in, in Fletcher's room when he was arrested. Fletcher’s disguise included a false birthmark, and he at first tried to give the police false particulars about himself. He had an Australian criminal record, and had been in New Zealand three months. Fletcher told the Court he came here to start again, and the theft occurred only because he saw the opportunity. Mr McCarthy commented that Fletcher’s last Australian sentence was a long and heavy one.