FORGED CHEQUE CASHED.

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 91, 18 April 1929, Page 8

FORGED CHEQUE CASHED.

MAN GIVEN ANOTHER CHANCE,

MAGISTRATE DISMISSES ( ASF.

'"There is no doubt in my mind that you were the tool of a criminal, and that another man bought liquor for you and sent you in to cash the cheque. 1 think I am legally wrong, but I will give vou another chance."

So said Mr. F. K. Hunt, S.M., to Charles Leslie (Jreen (35), who was charged at the Police Court to-day with obtaining £S in cash and clothing worth £2 18/ from a Newmarket mercer by means of a valueless cheque.

Green, who was represented by Mr Alan Smyth, pleaded not guilty.

The mercer, in evidence said accused called at his shop in Newmarket on April 8 and bought clothing worth £2 18/, tendering a cheque in payment. Before canhing the cheque and giving accused the £8, witness communicated with his bank, who informed him the account of the man mentioned on the cheque was all right. Witness paid the £8. but did not give the clothing to accu.\#d until he callcd back the second time. It was afterwards discovered that the cheque was worthless, the signature being a forged one.

Detective McWhirter said accused made a statement to him. In this he said he was out of work, and that he had met a man who bought him a number of drinks at various hotels. This inan gave accused the cheque, and asked him to cash it at the Newmarket mercer's shop. He told Green he was not going under his own name as he wanted to "dodge a girl." In answer to Mr. Smyth, the witness said he had no reason to doubt Gretm's statement, as he knew the man who gave him the cheque to cash.

Counsel submitted that accused should not l>e convicted on the charge, as there was no proof that he did not know the cheque handed to him was not a good and valid order. Green had been the tool of u criminal for whom the police were now looking. Mr. Smyth said Green was a married man with a family of three and had been hard up. In dismissing the charge, Mr. Hunt advised accused to take out a prohibition order.

Mr. Smyth said that this would be taken out forthwith.