AUSTRALIAN “CON” MAN.

Mt Benger Mail, 2 November 1938, Page 1

AUSTRALIAN “CON” MAN.

THE OLD. OLD STORY. DROPPED WALLET. The old trick with the old ingredients —the dropped wallet, the introductions, the fabulous sum to be given to charities, and the cash proof of good faith —was outlined once again at the West London Police Court. It was said to have been used successfully on a wealthy American rancher, a visitor to London, from whom it extracted £IOO. i In the dock was a native of Australia, William Young, 64, commission agent, of no fixed address, who admitted stealing the £IOO from the rancher, John Viggo Handrieks, by means of a trick. Detective-sergeant Massey explained that Young met Mr Hendricks by chance in Kensington Gardens and arranged to see him again on the following day. They met as arranged, and while walking through the gardens they saw a man drop a wallet. Mr Hendrick picked it up and returned it. This led to a conversation between the three men, and afterwards they visited a nearby restaurant, where the man with the wallet told a story of a fabulous sum of money, part of which he proposed to apply to charity. He asked the other two to assist him in its distribution. They agreed, and the question was then raised of proof of good faith. It was suggested that each should hand over to the man with the wallet £IOO cash as a guarantee of honesty. Mr Hendricks produced £IOO and handed it over. Then after a few minutes the man with.the wallet and Young left the restaurant on some pretext. They wore n'ot seen again. The magistrate, Mr Paul Bennett: The old story. What happened to the £100? . Sergeant Massey: That has all gone. Mr Bennett: I suppose Young wasn’t dressed as he is now? —No, ho was smartly dressed. ‘‘ I am wearing the same suit, ’ ’ protested Young from the dock. Mr Bennett: Very likely, but you were wearing a collar and tie then? — Oh, yes. CONVICTED BEFORE. Sergeant Massey stated that there were two previous c'onvictions against Young. In 1930 he was sentenced to three months’ imprisonment for attempting to steal £3500, and in 1933 he was sentenced to six months’ imprisonment for stealing £2OOO. He came to this country from Australia in i 929, and was married, with two children. Young told the magistrate he had nothing to say, except that he had just come out of hospital and had Ms wife and two young children to support. “I can take my medicine,” he added. Passing sentence of six months’ hard labour, Mr Bennett warned Young that if he ever came before the court again, he Would most probably be sent for trial.

"That might mean a sentence of penal servitude,” declared Mr Bennett.