CHEQUE ARTIST

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 932, 27 March 1930, Page 1

CHEQUE ARTIST

MAN'S THREE WEEKS OF CRIME MADE TOUR OF PROVINCE Covering the Auckland Province 'From the City to Tauranga, John Ryan has been carrying on extensive operations by valueless cheques. In the more furious part of his campaign he visited four shops in one evening, gaining £77 from his round of calls. At the Police Court this morning Chief-Detective Hammond estimated that Ryan had got away with about £4OO in all. The man was remanded until tomorrow for sentence. Ryan, alias Hamilton, a middleaged man, pleaded guilty to niue charges of obtaining money and goods from city firms by valueless cheques. The amounts ranged from £SO to £IS, and the offences were all committed between February 19 and March 7. The total amount involved in the charges was £224 12s 3d. Ryan was a presentable looking man of slightly more than middle age. The chief-detective said Ryan was a married man with a family living in Auckland. He had set out on his expedition of getting easy money in February, when he obtained blank cheques from bank branches at Newton. He had visited a City store where, with a bogus cheque for £ 100, he bought a gold watch and clothing valued at £SO. OPENED AN ACCOUNT

On the following day he returned and opened an account in the firm’s hanking department with a second cheque for £IOO. He had then gone to Tauranga and round that district, operating on the new account at the firm’s branches. In Hamilton he had opened an account in the Bank of Australasia for £ls. He drew £l4 10s and came on to Auckland, where he was again active, presenting cheques and obtaining both goods and money. “He must be able to tell a good story,” commented the chief-detective. “He got about £4OO in all. Of course, his appearance has helped him, but I can’t understand how these people could be gulled by a man without fourpence. Ryan had £79 when he was arrested. He also had the watch, but a large quantity of the other goods were thrown in the harbour. He didn’t want the goods. All he wanted was the change. We shall have to make out a pro rata statement for all the complaints. Ryan was convicted on several charges at Hamilton.”

Mr. F. K. Hunt, S.M.: Wha t did they do with the man in Hamilton? The Chief-Detective: He was convicted and discharged. They left it to your Worship. Ryan was remanded until tomorrow for sentence. The magistrate requested the probation officer to make inquiries about him, as the chief-detective had said the man was not.known to the police. It was his first appearance in the court. Mr. Hammond reduced one charge relating to £SO, so that accused could be dealt with summarily on all counts.