AN AMAZING STORY.

Taranaki Daily News, 13 February 1919, Page 5

AN AMAZING STORY.

- 4 .CREDULOUS MAN SJCTlMlip> Bj Telegraph.—Press AsseclatUt s Christchurch, Last Nijht, .An amazing story of credulity wai ,told at the Supreme Court, before MrJustice Herdinan to-day. Ai-thttf Patrick McGuire was charged with iionapiring by deceit and by means of false representation to obtain money from William John Cupplea, by falsely representing that Cecil AlcUullough was a detective named Lewis, and Frederick John Wormald was a detective named Jamieson, and by obtaining £194 bjf these means f l'oin Cupplea by representing that they were securing the release ot Lizzie Mines from Mount Magdala Home. McGnire, McCullough and Wormald were also charged alternatively with ocnapiracy together. The two first named pleaded not guilty, and Wormald pleaded guilty. The evidence showed that (hippies, while working at the institution, became infatuated with the girl, and set about getting her away from the home. Hi enlisted the services of McGuire, wh« subsequently said he hud decided Oh employing two detectives, who would obtain the release of the girl by Various statements. They obtained £194 from him, but as they did not obtain the release of the girl he became suspicious, and consulted a lawyer, with the result that accused were arrested. Wormald, in evidence, said M*Goir» told him he had a "fair dinkunl mug," and was going to take Cupplea dfcwn loi some money.

The jury, after retirement for sixteen minutes, returned a verdict of guilty ugaiust McGuire and McCullough, with si recommendation for leniency in regard to tlie latter. Sentence was deferred.