BOOKMAKER SENT TO GAOL.

Auckland Star, Volume LIV, Issue 288, 3 December 1923, Page 7

BOOKMAKER SENT TO GAOL.

FINES NOT EFFECTIVE.

A VETERAN* "PENCILLER."

Charged on two informations with laying totalisator odds. Charles Phillpott (Mr. Mays), pleaded guilty before Mr. J. W. Poyntoii, S.if., tlm morning. Senior-Detective Hammond said that Phillpott was a man of 08 years and had been a bookmaker for 30 years. I "While lie knows the risk he is taking," said the Senior-Detective, "I must say that he has no oHice, employs no agents, but he seems to be incorrigible so iar as betting is concerned. No I doubt the 'business is ■ profitable, but their is no suspicion that he does not meet his obligations. He is a man of I wood reputation, and outside betting a [thoroughly respectable citizen." ' Mr. Hays said there was no straighter man'in Xciv Zealand than defendant. He was not a bookmaker in a big way Ibut simply pottered about taking an occasional odd bet. It was 18 months , since he had been before the Court, and though he had several previous visits, there were only two occassions when he had pleaded not guilty, and on one of those occasions the information had 'been dismissed. Phillpott was not the kind of man who put up a false defence, nor was he the son. of bookmaker who did harm by betting with infants. Detective Hammond: I don't think it is a case where the man should be sent to gaol. His Worship: What's the good of fining him? Detective Hammond: I eupose he will go on betting, 'but lie is an honest man and a good citizen otherwise. Mr. Maya: This is not the type of man who sets up in an office ano deliberately flout* the law. There is nothing of the spieler or blackguard about him. Kis Worship: One month on one charge, and fined £20 on the other. Subsequently Mr. Mays asked leave to mention the case again and requested his Worship to reconsider the ■ sentence, pointing out that Phillpott was a man of 68 years of age, and it was 13 years since he had 'been liefore the Court on a major betting charge.

His Worship: No, I "will make no alteration. Fines are not effective.