ALLEGED FRAUD

Auckland Star, Volume LXXIV, Issue 110, 11 May 1943, Page 4

ALLEGED FRAUD

SALESMAN ON TRIAL

Evidence of identity was a crucial element in the trial of Leonard Stanley Dunford, salesman, 41 (Mr. Sullivan) before Mr. Justice Callan and a jury to-day, on a charge that on November 19, with intent to defraud, he obtained £5 in money and a cheque for £48 from Percy Sawyer, a dealer, by falsely representing that he was the owner of carpets and some metal goods which he would sell. Outlining the case fon the Crown, Mr. Cleal said evidence would be led that two men made this representation to Mr. Sawyer, informing him that about £50 was required to clear the goods; which- were on a ship, through the Customs. Mr. Sawyer would say that he paid £5 in money and a £4S cheque, but the goods were not delivered. He could not identify accused as the man to whom the money was given, but other witnesses would identify accused as one who presented the- cheque in a Queen Street shop next day in purchase of a hat, and endorsed the cheque. Further identification was that of a handwriting expert, who would say that the endorsement on the cheque was written by the person who wrote the receipt given to Mr. Sawyer. After Crown witnesses had given evidence on the lines indicated, accused testified that he had cashed the cheque for a friend, and knew nothing of the fraud on Sawyer, though he had written the receipt for £48 at the request of his friend, Herrold, whom he could not now find.

(Proceeding.)