TRUST ABUSED.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVII, Issue 236, 5 October 1936, Page 8

TRUST ABUSED.

"A PAINFUL CASE." GLEN EDEN TOWN CLERK. ONE YEAR'S IMPRISONMENT. Having admitted the theft of sums totalling £390 from the Glen Eden Town Board, a married man, Cecil Richard Wilkinson, aged 30, came before Mr. Justice Fair for sentence this morning. Theft as a servant was admitted by Wilkinson's counsel, Mr. Bryce Hart, to be a serious thing, but there were mitigating circumstances in this case, he said. The accused had had a splendid career, and had held the position with the Town Board for three and a half years. It was a rather strange thing that there was not a safe in the office and the accused had often to look after big sums of money. His wife had had a serious operation two years ?go, and was still receiving treatment. Accused had indulged in gambling in an effort to make good the defalcations, but as so 'often happened, he had failed.

His Honor pointed out that the offences occurred almost daily over a period of six months, and that the amounts taken increased from week to week. It was a painful case, said his Honor, but not one in which probation could be granted. The prisoner had abused a position of trust by continuous thefts over a period of six months. During that time he stole £390.

His Honor added that he took into account the fact that Wilkinson had been in financial difficulties owing to his wife's ill-liealth, and the assistance he had given in investigating the matter. These facts, at best, could ouly mitigate the seriousness of the off:nce. It would be necessary to impose a term of 12 months' imprisonment.