BOGUS ARISTOCRAT.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXIV, Issue 9383, 1 March 1909, Page 7

BOGUS ARISTOCRAT.

The young fellow of twenty who chad pleaded guilty to a charge of obtaining £325 by fraud and false pretences from Mr Herbert Slater, I motor engineer, of Enightsbridge, 'was brought up at Westminster Police Court recently. With the prefix of “Honourable,” and the assumption of a well-known name, prisoner posed as a person of means. He gave cheques for large .amounts, which were dishonouredDetective Sergeant Barrett at a previous hearing had stated the Erisoner was the son of a Blrming am bookmaker, and until 18 months ago he was with the Ariel Motor Company as a test driver. Then, becoming acquainted with a gentleman connected with a well-known Wholesale tobacco firm, he blossomed forth at Folkestone as a young gentleman of means and position. Soon after prisoner was figuring as managing director of a concern at Bristol. He lived etxravagantly, incurred debts, and induced a number of influential people to believe he was a professional man of standing, improper use of the letters A.M.1.0.8. figuring after his name, helping his reputation as a' motor specialist, Prisoner had also visited Ireland, passing himself off as the Hon. Mr f-So-and-So; and certain matters there with regard to the “power of attorney” were now the subject of • consideration with a view to other proceedings. A month ago he married a yonng woman, and went off with her to Paris, where he got possession of share certificates, valuer £I2OO, from ; a Mr Bartley. By the greatest chance > stroke of good fortune the police recovered the scrip fpr the owner, with other documents which they seized. Mr Walter Beard, for the prisoner, now Said that be was instructed to take exception of the statement as to the recovery of the scrip. It was not recovered by the police at all, but by Mr Bartley, the owney himself, who came over w ith Jackson from Paris. • Mr O Humphreys, for the prosecution, said it was entirely owing to the activity of the police that Mr Barley got his bonds back. Mr Francis said he had considerable hesitation in dealing with the prisoner at all.' It was a very serious case, and he conld not pass a less sentence than six months. Mr Beard: May I suggest the second division, sir? The Magistrate : Yes; the prisoner is very yonng. Under the new Act, Mr Humphries asked that the very considerable expenses incurred by the prosecutor might be allowed by the Court. Mr Francis said he, did not feel himself justified in acceding to this application, as he conld not help thinking that the prosecutor was a great deal too credulous in dealing with the prisoner.