MAN OF MANY PARTS

Opotiki News, Volume II, Issue 171, 19 April 1939, Page 2

MAN OF MANY PARTS

PRISONER’S CAREER CONVICTION OF FRAUD SYDNEY. March 22.—A man who had had a remarkably wide range of occupations,and who> said that he did not know how many times lie had been married • was convicted on a charge of having obtained goods- by false pretences in February, 1937. He was Douglas .Macdonald Stewart, aged 58, teacher. He' pleaded not guilty and conducted his own defence, addressing the jury for several hours. It was stated that Stewart had six aliases and had previous convictions in New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland. and Western Australia. Detectivc-Cbnstable Behrens, in evidence, said that Stewart had been a, medical student, soldier, engineermedical officer, pathologist, teacher, veterinary surgeon and science lecturer. He had travelled widely. He had been able to get, any position he wanted. If he- had not the testimonials to’ establish his application, then he made them out himself. The heads of firms which had employed Stewart had said that they never had a bettor man. Several Marriages. Stewart- had been married on several occasions, said Detective-Con-stable Behrens. It was hard to know how many times lie had been married. Stewart said the statement abouthis marriages was correct. He did not know himself how many times lie had boon married. Rut he did know to whom he- was .married now. “I have been in gaol for the past 16 months.' said Stewart. “When 1 wasreleased from the. Geelong gaol recently T wa-s arrested again at the gaol gates.” ' . yA until Friday for sententhr.