THEFT AND FRAUD.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVII, Issue 113, 14 May 1936, Page 5

THEFT AND FRAUD.

SALESMAN BEFORE COURT. "SEEN ERROR OF HIS WAYS." An unemployed salesman, Melville Francis Fry, aged 24, in the Police Court to-day, pleaded guilty to a charge of obtaining £2 5/ from Frederick Jamea Day by means of a valueless cheque, and the theft of a gold chain and pendant, valued at £5, belonging to Robert Cauiton, on April 1. Detective Waterson produced a statement made to the Rotorua police by Fi V, in which he admitted the theft of the chain from a restaurant and selling it to a jeweller for 1(5/6. Fry also admitted issuing and cashing the valueless cheque. Senior Detective Hall said Fry was born in India; his father, a retired British Army officer, resided near Kotorua. Fry's mother lived at Remuera. "His father turned him out because of his behaviour," said Mr. Hall. "Fry has several previous convictions." Mr. W. Noble, who appeared for accused, said Fry was one of a family of six boys and two girls. "I think his father's idea of discipline is a little too harsh, for he won't let him near the home at all," counsel added. "Owing to some previous trouble, Fry lias not had much of a chance, and has found great difficulty in obtaining employment. He has now seen the error of his ways Mr. Wyvern Wilson: It has taken him a long while' to find that out. In October, 1933, he was placed on probation for false pretences, then in December of 1934 he was in trouble again, when he was leniently treated by being fined. Later again he was convicted for being idle and disorderly, and again for obtaining credit by fraud. Then, a month later, he was before the Court for breach of probation. Fry was sentenced to 12 montlis reformative detention.