ALTERATION OF RECEIPTS.

Auckland Star, Volume LIV, Issue 104, 3 May 1923, Page 7

ALTERATION OF RECEIPTS.

CLERK CHEATS EMPLOYERS. COMMITTED FOR SENTENCE. "After I left the office I went up the street and threw £2 that was in my pocket into the gutter. It was a sudden impulse that led mc to throw it away." So ran a passage in a signed statement, to Detectiw-Sergeant Gourley, made by a youth aged 17 years, formerly in the employ of Messrs. P. Hayman and Co. Accused pleaded guilty to-day, before -Mr. J. W. Poynton, S.M., to. ' twelve charges of theft and twelve of forgery, involving the sum of £13 0/11. It was shown that the lad had been a clerk, nnd it was part of his duty to pay freight due to shipping firms. Thp thefts and forgeries had been committed by alterii«# the receipts, making the amounts greater. The differences between the actual amount paid nnd the sum shown on the altered receipts accused put in his pocket. The system was carried on from February 27 to April 21, 1923, when his discovery was brought about by having altered one receipt on two occasions. He paid 11/S and obtained a receipt, which he altered to read £1 11/8. The document was then placed on the cashier's file, and accused kept the £1. Later he removed the receipt from the file and again altered it to read £2 11/8. The cashier paid the money to accused, hut afterwards detected the duplication of the one amount, and spoke to accused a"bouf. it. The lad then put on his coat and hat and left the office, <o which he did not return till summoned to explain by the manager. It was after he left the office that he threw the money into thp gutter. The money stolen he had used on horseracing. ''I think the judge should issue a warning to young fellows in positions where they handle documents and cash, -, remarked Mr. J. \V. I\»ynton, S.M. "The alteration of some documents is very serious—punishable in certain cases with life imprisonment." Accused, who was represented by Mr. McKay, was committed to the. Supreme Court for sentence, the magistrate remarking that he would probably get probation if he paid the whole sum back. That should ibe a condition even if it : took ten years.