A STORY OF FRAUDS.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 58, 2 December 1907, Page 8

A STORY OF FRAUDS.

A caso pre'scntirig rcmarkablo. features was dealt .with at; tho 'Quiirter Sessions at 'Worcester, when :Jairies Douglas, a pensioner, 84, Mary Jano Douglas, aged 58, his wife, and Alexandra Fanny Douglas, aged 33, thoir daughter, were accused of- obtaining goods by false pretences from several trades? people'atMalvern. Tho prisoners formerly resided at Malvern, itiid it was alleged for t.ho prosecution. that they obtained, goods oh credit on tho'representation that tliey Were for' a certain. Count Aviglio, who was impersonated by the younger prisoner. Witnesses deposed that she'.had her hair, cut short,. and had ■ a . suit, of' man's clothing, sometimes posing in this as Count Aviglio, who was represented as. being immensely rich, but .temporarily.'embarrassed. -A number- of lettors. of an amazing character were produced, showing'that the prisoners took extraordinary., means' , to. indued tradesmen to supply, eatables. Sbnio of tho letters" made promises' of large sums of money.-to -certain individuals in Malvern, but the prisoners left without fulfilling the promises, and were eventually arrestod at Folkestone.' Among tho documents produced was ono which the chairman described as the most extraordinary' lie had ever . seen. It purported .to.come.from' tho Inner Temple and to relate to the Count's property at Jerusalem and. elsewhere. The- prisoners were found guilty of ',(Conspiracy, but the jury - recommended the man :to mercy, . he' having : stated'.that lie ■ was forced to take part in; the deception practised .by his wife and daughter, who thfeatened to deprivo him of his. pension. . Tho man was discharged,' the women' being each sentenced'to. three-months'- hard,labour. ■