Wednesday, Oct 16, 1929

Alleged Employment Frauds

(Witness for the prosecution against Francis Jones)

    At the Justice Room, Guildhall, yesterday Francis Bate Jones, 52, described as a manufacturer of Roxborough Park, Harrow (on bail), was charged on remand with obtaining money from a number of persons by false pretences and with intent to defraud.

     Mr Gwatkin, who appeared on behalf of the Director of Public Prosecutions, said the allegation against the accused was that he had obtained money from various persons on the promise of employment.

     These people got nothing but a temporary job, and suffered the ultimate loss of their money. The accused appeared to have been interested in a number of companies dealing soap, candles, preserved fruits, the cultivation of oranges and lemons, and the manufacture of mops and brooms and a devise for cleaning motor cars.

     In connexion with these various concerns the accused had obtained from persons seeking employment sums amounting to £7,000.

       Miss Olive Taylor, of Petherton Road, Highbury, stated that in December, 1927 she was looking for an occupation, and through a firm of business agents she obtained an introduction to the defendant at Holborn Viaduct House, He said his business was that of Superseda Productions Limited, "manufacturers of motor accessories".

      She told him that she had previously had charge of a school, and was totally ignorant of company matters. He said she could learn, and offered her the post of secretary to the company. He asked her what she was prepared to invest and she said about £300.

       He did not press her in any way, and after thinking the matter over, and believing in the bona fides of the accused, she invested £80 in the business. She was then appointed as secretary of the company at £250 a year.

   Soon after entering on her duties the firm had an anxious time financially, and the defendant suggesting that another £100 would help, she put up another £80. The employees then all got something on account of wages.

    As security for her money she was given four debentures for £100 each. Later at the instigation of Jones, as debenture holder she appointed a receiver, after which she was employed by the accused in connexion with the Washka (Parent) Company, Limited. Following that she became nominal secretary of Kathe, Limited, in which company she was given certificated for 40 shares in lieu of salary as secretary to the Superseda Company.

    The witness was shown a number of cheques purporting to have been drawn and signed by her as secretary to these different companies and declared that they were both drawn and signed (in her name) by Jones.

     She added that she had nothing now for her £380 and was out of employment.

The case was again adjourned, the defendant being released on bail.

 Wednesday, Oct 30, 1929

Employees Evidence

    There was a further hearing at Guildhall of the charge against Frances Bate Jones, 52 a merchant, of Roxborough Road

    Harrow of obtaining money by false pretences from a number of persons in search of employment.

     Mr Gwatkin appeared on behalf of the Director of Public Prosecutions.

  The defendant occupied an office at Holborn Viaduct House, and, it was alleged, posed as a successful man of business, and offered positions to people who were prepared to invest money Mr Gwatkin said that a number of these cases had been investigated, in which £7,000 had been parted with by people who found that there was no work to do. The money they had 'invested' was never returned to them.

  One witness said the accused man offered him a post (on condition of investing £250) in a concern called Superseda Products Ltd.

  When, subsequently, he came to the conclusion that practically no business was being done, he asked for the return of his money, but did not get it.

  ALBERT THOMAS HUDGELL, a commercial clerk, said he was appointed 'works manager,' and had to find £500.

     From October 1927, until a few months ago he remained with Jones, in the hope of getting his money back.

     David James Welsh said he invested £100 (part of which was borrowed) on the understanding that it was 'secured and returnable'. He was dismissed because he asked for his money back.

       Edward Penny, Highbury Hill stated that he was engaged as works office manager upon investing £250 'as security and to show he was interested.'

     The money, which represented the savings of year's, he never got back. The case was adjourned