"DOCTOR" WHO CALLED ONCE TOO OFTEN

Chronicle (Levin), 21 March 1947, Page 3

"DOCTOR" WHO CALLED ONCE TOO OFTEN

-Press Association

"BRILLIANT OPERATION" THAT LANDED HIM IN GAOL

Bij Telearapri-r

AUCKLAND, ALarch"20. "I oiicc went to see a magician uained Carter. Perkays it was frora liiiu accused adopted the uame, ' ' said Alr. F. H. Levien, S.M., when Williani Freeney Keenan, a labourer, aged 45, appeared before him 011 charges of obtaiuing £5 2s lid and a pair of shoes valued at £1 12s 6d by false pretenees. Accused plcaded guilty. Senior Detective Aplin said on Marcli 10 coniplainant, Ephraim Edward Kitchener, who owncd a footwear business in Karangahape Koad, received a telephone call from a man purporting to be "the Itev. Bennett" who asked him if he would help a "Dr. Carter, " a brilliant surgeon, who was down and out iinancially. Complainant told "the Jlev. Bcnnett" to send the doctor along to him and accused arrived at the shop half an liour later. Accused told coniplainant he was in need of money to take over a surgeon ;s post at Balclutha and he was given £3 10s for fares. Accused also stated that "Bev. Bennett" had arranged for him credit for £20 at a large store. Detective Aplin said later accused Lelex>lioned complainant again and said he had taken advantage of the credit and bought soine clothes, and added that the Kehabilitation Department had granted him a loan of £2000 with which to set up his own business. He then informed complainant that he would be taking up a position at the Auckland llospital at a salary of £15 a week and would need a doctor 's bag. Complainant told him to call again, and when accused did so he gave him £1 12s 6d with which to buy a bag. During the conversation accused inquired about some shoes without toecapS, saying he required them for the operating theatre. He said he found those without toecaps best as germs did not collect in. the toes. Complainant then gave accusecj. a pair of shoes valued at £1 12s (5d. That evening domplainant received a telephone call from a man giving the name of "Dr. Mitchell," continued Detective Aplin. He said that "Dr. Carter ' ' had perf orined a most marvellous operation, at the Auckland Hospital that afternoon and he congratulated complainant on helping him financially. He then mentioned that "Dr. Carter" would need some new operating f rocks and would require a little money. Complainant again instructed "Dr. Carter" to call, and in the meantime reported the matter to the poliee as he was suspicious of accused calling himself "Carter." On the morning of March 12 accused ealled again and was attempting to obtain more money when he was arrested. Detective Aplin said accused had a formidable list of previous convictions for false pretenees and dishonesty. "I eannot altogether imagine a doctor or a surgeon being impecunious today, b'ut it might be so," said the Magistrate. Accused was sentenced to one ye ar's reformatixre detention. • .