ALLEGED THEFT

Evening Post, Volume CXVII, Issue 103, 3 May 1934, Page 13

ALLEGED THEFT

GOLD BAND TAXI CASE

(By. Telegraph.—Press Association)

CHBISTCHUBCH,' This Day. In the Supreme Court today the hearing was continued of 24 charges of theft arid eight of forgery against Leslie Cecil Johnson^ formerly accountant and organiser of Gold Band Taxis. The amount involved is £426. Counsel, for the defence said that the case was not one for criminal prosecution. The prisoner saved Trillo Js business by a masterly, stroke of finance so that creditors who had- been clamouring for settlement actually, in effect, lent Trillo £2000 free of interest for 15 months. It was hard to believe that Johnson was only to toe paidas a junior clerk when he had really/become the. Gold Band Taxis and Trillo the'figurehead. His Honour said that counsel for the defence had addressed the ' jury eloquently, but there were certain things he had mentioned which should not influence them. They could get out of their, minds that this was a case foi' civil settlement. It ha 4 been very properly brought before them to be dealt with as a criminal matter. A feeling of gratitude should not bo expected to condone the commission of crime. ' The jury returned a verdict of guilty on foiir-charges of theft that the Crown had particularised. The prisoner was remanded for sentenco till tomorrow. , .' - On the other theft charges there was a formal verdict of not guilty. A stay of proceedings was applied for on the forgery counts.