THEFT ALLEGED.

Auckland Star, Volume LVIII, Issue 87, 13 April 1927, Page 9

THEFT ALLEGED.

SHIPPING FIRM'S MONEY. CHARGE AGAINST ACCOUNTANT. SHORTAGE SAID TO BE £950. •By I elegraph. Own Correspondent.) ( HRIST( liriH 11. this day. William John Sullivan pleaded not guilty when he was charged to-day with the theft of £9.>0 from the (.'anadian Government Mercantile Marine, Ltd. Sullivan, who is 2f> years old, was an accountant in the local branch .of the company. Harold Low ry Penny, branch manager, said that when examining the books of the firm on March It?, in company with Mr. Stewart, the auditor, he found three freights outstanding that he could not account for. When questioned Sullivan made a full confession, admitting that ho had taken the three cheques. Arthur Stewart, tin accountant, said that at an interview on March 10 accused admitted the thefts and signed a written confession. From October. 1924, to March 0, 1927, Sullivan had received .€11.'!,272 1-1/1 on behalf of the company. The amount shown in the book was £112.18:1 19/f>. There was an amount of .£l2O for which the accused claimed lie should be given credit, and if this was so. the total amount of the defalcations was £!K>o. So far tliev had not been able to trace the £120. Detective Thomas said that t accused, on being interviewed, admitted receiving moneys during the last two and a half years belonging to the firm and failing to account for them. Witness read a statement made by accused in which he admitted stealing moneys which belonged to the firm from .Tune, 1924, to March. 1927. He described the method in which he had taken the money. All the money alleged to have been embezzled had been spent by accused in the support of his mother, brothers and wife. Accused pleaded not guilty and was committed to the Supreme Court for trial. He was allowed bail in £250 and one surety for £250. and ordered to report daily to the police.