ALLEGATIONS OF THEFT

Press, Volume LXX, Issue 21119, 21 March 1934, Page 6

ALLEGATIONS OF THEFT

♦ CHARGES AGAINST AUDITOR COMMITTED TO SUPREME COURT Twenty-six charges of theit, two being summary charges, and eight charges of forgery were preferred against Leslie Cecil Johnson, aged 53 years, of Burnside road, in the Magistrate's Court vesterday. Mr E. D Moslcv. S.M., heard the case. ChieiDetective W. H. Dunlop conducted the case for the police, and Mr K. a. Young appeared for the accused The amount involved m tne ahegeu thefts, which were from C. S. Trilio, as procnetor of the Gold Band Taxis, and which extended from Nov ember _. J. 1932. to January 4. 1934. totalled £4t> l''s Gri The io'gci'R.; were alleged to" extend from October 30. 1933. to January 17. 1934. , The accused, it was -ated. iiad been m the cm.niov of Goia Ear.ci laxis as ;...",,,.,,. t\. r - ... ■e. l -,,- of the company. vh>-. ;efby°altering" ivcennV ':rom\urners Limited, who were mana lAi ' said that Johnson una uccn employed decu"-eutsln ;mv way':"' The than ran an "ccount wu.i: Turner.- Limited, nrmte'-s for advertising and priming, and' Mrs S. R. Pcuibeidon. then ac-co--.-t.-U m" Gold Band Taxis, was ref'u- pavm > accounts with T'-i.-. -,'ccourts were usually paiVniigash. \Viti:ess iirst became aware cf receipts ti-,m Turners. Limited. navu-g been altered 11: January, ana alier"mvosi:gat:ms the matter was reported to the police. Ka-ceipts Produced y c .-< G'-eet l clerk, em-Moved by Turners' Limited!' sa:d that there was ■Ol accent;' tor -C;*-"> that was to be eo.'ected tVi'm Gold Band Taxis at the i. r - o<" U>s a wee,;. In Scptemoca. i 033 an adjustment was made between Turners. Limited mid Gold Band Taxis for the payment of lis a we.'k. That arrangement was made wit 1 ' 1 Johns v. Witness produced duplicate 'receip's signed by her. They were for Ms. a.id had boon altered to 1 Gc-'do'- Fcr'-uson. a clerk, employed bv the Gold Band Taxis, said that it was among his duties to keep the petty cash book, and make payments where rec aired. In navuig the weekly acceun; with Turners. Limited, witness would give accused certain amounts, varying' from lis. 13s lid. to £1 lis. from the pe'ty cash. Sometimes the rccem! was immediately forthcoming n- accused woidd say ho would bring it iatcr. Johnson was the only man who mud the accounts to Turners. On January 17 accused had asked witness for £1 lis for Turners. Limited, but before he left tire otl'.ce. accused handed witness a receint signed by Turners. Limited, "per L. Johnson." Witness thought that it h.ad been altered, and showed it to Mr Trilio when lie arrived later. Detective R. Thompson gave evidence of having interviewed the accused. Accused had said that Triila owed him money and it was the only way of getting it back. Accused pleaded not guil'v and was committed fcr trial on tha forgery charges. Investigation by Accountant C. S. Trilio. in evidence m the charges of theft, said that Johnson's wages, on part time work, werj £2 a week. Later his salarv was raised to £3 10s a v.-crlt. Sever;'! < homns which witness said ware rot » 'tis handwriting wore nrodttc; 1. A!' t:ie p.-.-a a - H- accused Join. . ■ ■ ' .mt for I'.-g Witness na ■■ a reocrt to the police en Feb ' • l.\ \I-s S R. F-mbert'gg , no -.-. as a eg :•'■ c*rm- vi-t i.-v to-- G• -' ;' -'ul

. alwavs came from J.>!"-.-• .. 1' was i Triilo's practice to lease a n ■-. '.. r ■■{ rtii'iii.!.- in excess of .-ur. .-■ K-.\)n:: n, , t'.rms. and the second was by Mi,.wmg | in the cheque book and. other h.-.oVs . ! that certain amounts had baen paid ; Ito firms when actually oniy pan or ! nothing had been paid. ; j Detective R. Thompson said tact, in ; ' a statement to him, accused had ad- j ; mined drawing cheques for larger i i amounts than those shown in toe cor- ! : responding cheque butts, and that he ■ : had failed to account for the money, i '.Johnson's excuse was that the mm \ : owed him money. In a later statement I i accused admitted altcr-pg the cheque ; ' excent two —one for £-10 and 'ho other : ; for £lO. P was found later that j j the £4O had been paid into Tr : llj'- j I ccntit and the £lO to Mason, S'ru".lters. ; i Ltd.. in settlement of an account if I i Johnson's. : i Accused nleaded not guilty and was : committed for trial on each of the in- | | dictabie charge-. Two :ur many ! ■ charges were adjourned she- "iv-. i Bail was allowed m self £2hl ~>mi \ 'one surety of £2OO or two of £ 10") [ each. j