The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1878-06-11 00:00:00

AN ADVERTISING SWINDLE.

At the Borough Police-court on Wednesday, James
&molten, of Birmingham, woo brought up in custody
before the Mayor (Mr. A. Balaton) and Mr. J. B. Derell,
charged with obtaining .C 2 13s. 6i, by false pretences from
Mr. James Osman, of Poole —Mr. H. T. Trevanlon said
be appeared to prosecute in this case, which was one of
frequent occurrence, especially in large Citlei• Persons
living in the country and at long distances saw advertise-
ments in the newspapers and other publications, and they
had no means of judging of the truth of the statements
contained therein. The proeecutor's shoptuan showed
him in March last a price list purporting to he issued by
Ban, of Hursestreet, Birmingham, and he
selected watches to the value of .C 4 13.. 6d. On April 9th
he sent a cheque for the amount, and when too late, he
attempted to stop it. He received nothing for his money.
and he wrote letters threateuing proceedings, hut did not
get a reply. He coneequently took the present proceed-
ings. Mr. Trevanion then narrated further the facts of
the ease, which would be proved by evidence, and he read
several letters found at the prisoner's office in Birming-
ham—The prisoner asked fora remand in order that he
might obtain the services of. whetter from Birmingham.
but the magistrates refused the application as he had had
ample time to employ a local so icitor.—The prosecutor
stated that he was a baker and grocer, of this town. Early
In March last the catalogue produced was shown to him
by his shopman. In consequence of this he wrote to some
flue whom he believed to be Bliss and Reuben asking for
some watches to he sent and he asked the price of so
eight-air musical box. In reply he received a memorandum
stating they were not sent out on approval except to
jewellers, and mentioning the price of the musical bra.
Ho wrote a accond letter a day or two aft, retards, asking
whether be could have • single watch at the price quoted
in the "special quotations." In reply he received a letter
dated March 13, saying they would send a watch at "list
prices," but the "special quotations" were for a nue of six
watches. He selected catches to the value of .C 2 131.
and he enclosed a cheque for the amount, payable to Iliac
and Co., at their advertised place of business, losuraucei
oaseage,Union Buildings. Birmingham. He received neither
the wafches nor any reply. The cheque had been cashed,
and debited to his account. He tried to stop payment lot
he wen too late. In consequence of not receiving the
goods he wrote to inquire the resin, and be afterwards
wrote threatening, but no notice was taken. The last
letter was written to an adders- given him by the
Birmingham police. When he sent the money he expected
to receive the go-els in exchange. In consequence of the
price list and special quotation he parted with his money.
Mr. William Froud, travelling draper. of Lonsfle t.stated
that February lust he received a price list purporting to
come from Messrs. Bliss and Baughan, in reply to a letter
which he wrote upon seeing an advertisement in a news-
paper. He gave an order for a case of six watches, and
tor • single one, amounting to 449. He sent the money by
a Post-otliee order in a registered lover dated February
12th. On February 15 a receipt sem sent to him, and be
afterwards received some price lists. He wrote again, as
he had not received the goods, and a post-card was sent
to him stating that his order would receive Immediate
attention. He wrote three or four times since and asked
for the return of the money, but had received neither
in mey nor goods. When he parted with his money he
expected to receive the watches—William Painter, a
detective sergeant in the Birmingham police, said for three
years he bed known the prisoner, at first at (ti, Broad'
street. The police had numerous inquiries about him. He
was then advertising in the Eseitenset end Nan He had
no stock, and he simply rented a room. He next heard of
him in Union-paseage, about twelve months afterwards.
11- never saw anyone who Teetered to be his partner.
Whenever witness went to 46, Union-passage, he could not
see him. He had no shop of his own, but occupied part
of premises of Mr. Harlon. He WM always referred to
104 Vismteroad. &lease's Subsequently lie Geoid hen
at el. Dale-end, where he had an office over • haberdasher's
shop. Minas tried several times, but could never get
into his effix. He afterwards had a lower room and
c-iliar at 69, Lower Hurst-street. He bad no shop. On
Sunday he received from his inspector • warrant to
apprehend the prisoner, and he went to Down Villa,
Speedwell-road. Prisoner was in lied, and he came down
and accompanied witness to the office, and was detained
in custody. Witness searched his rooms, but found no
letter bearing on this case He went to his office in
Hurst-street, and found no stock there. The place wria I
strewn •ith letters, as many as a handcart would hold.
He carried away an armful, among which were the letters
produced, which were from all 'sorts of England, Scotland,
and Ireland. Nearly all the letters complained of the
non-delivery of the goods, and asked for the return of the
money. He had received thousands of complaints, and
every officer in his department had had perhaps as many
we he had. As far as he had cone he found inquiries es to
goods or money amounting to fario.—The prisoner was
committed for trial at the solution% the magistrates con-
senting to accept bail, himself in £5O and two sureties
lii £25 each.—At the Petty Sessions on Thursday the
prisoner's brother-in-law, who lives at Wells, attended
before the magistrates and tendered • cheque kir £lOO as
security for the appearance of the accused at the quarter
seessioes. After the usual enquiries the cheque was
accepted, and the prieonor was liberated.