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[Western Mail, Monday 19 September 1898. "A Nephew from America". How a man imposed on people at Eastbourne. Two remarkable charges were heard at Eastbourne Police-court on Friday against a man described as bookbinder, thirty-nine year of age, who goes under the various names David Franklin, Scutts, Roberts, Rehoe and Turner. Of fixed abode, is said to be native of Northfleet. The first charge that of obtaining by false pretences from George Erridge, a fisherman, living in Latimer Road. According to the evidence of prosecutor, he met prisoner, a total stranger, in the bar of the Beach Hotel on August 3. Reluctantly he consented to a drink with him, but finding him good company, accompanied him to the Ocean Wave. Here prisoner surprised him suddenly asking "Where's auntie?", observing that was "Frank Turner, from America."It happened that prosecutor's wife had a nephew of that name in America, that the claim of relationship appeared genuine. They walked home together, and when prosecutor's wife appeared the prisoner ran to her and kissed her, saying, "Hello, auntie, how are you? I am your nephew from America." To his grandmother, whom he also kissed, prisoner said. "Mother was always asking about you." The prisoner afterwards said they would not go out that day but stay in and have a drink. He also said he wanted to get his luggage from the station. At half-past seven in the evening prisoner produced a purse, saying, "I have a £75 cheque here, and I want you to go upstairs with me to lock it up." He asked for the key and the purse was put alongside some money belonging to the witness in the cupboard. Prisoner took the key and remarked. "Now I know it will be all right." He asked the witness to lend him a sovereign on the cheque, which he did. Witness afterwards went out to get a tin of salmon for the prisoner, who on his return was gone. Mary Ann Erridge, wife of the previous witness, said the prisoner, when saw her, exclaimed "Here she comes; she is just like mother." adding "What! Don't you know me your nephew, Frank Turner from America?" Witness replied, "You're not him." He said. "Oh yes I am." Whenever the subject of his friends and relations was introduced he did not seem clear, and pleaded that he was worried. She afterwards opened the purse, which contained two pieces of much-worn paper, but no cheque. Evidence was given to the arrest of prisoner at Watling, and to his violence, after which he was committed for trial. Prisoner was further charged with obtaining 8s. from Elizabeth Shoesmith of Meads, Eastbourne, on August 26 with intent to defraud. Prosecutrix said prisoner represented himself to be her husband's brother's son from Yorkshire. He stayed the night, and the next morning borrowed 8sh., till he could go into the town to get some money due to him. Asked if he had anything to say, the prisoner said he had been unfortunate. He came from Portland, where he had been doing penal servitude. He did not believe it was right when he was in drink. Drink was the cause of him being there. He wished it to be entered on the depositions that he was very sorry for what he had done. Prisoner was committed for trial on this charge. Chief-constable Plumb said he had eight other cases against the prisoner, and in more than one the last shilling had been given to him. The Bench thought it was sufficient for the prisoner to be committed on the two charges.] [E S - 39yr.] |
