SEVEN CHARGES OF THEFT

Press, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23400, 6 August 1941, Page 10

SEVEN CHARGES OF THEFT

INSURANCE AGENT SENT TO PRISON

Reformative detention for a term of 12 months was the sentence imposed in the Supreme Court yesterday by Mr Justice Northcroft. on John Joseph Graham Young, an insurance agent, of Timaru, on seven charges of theft from' the Colonial Mutual Life Assurance Society. The seven charges represented £486 12s 3d, but the Court was asked to take into account other offences to which Young had confessed the day before, and which were said to involve, approximately, another £'4oo. ‘ For accused, Mr D. W. Russel) said that although his gross income was around £4OO a year, by the time his car and travelling expenses and taxation were met he had about £l4O a year left, out of which he had to pay £1 12s 6d a week rent. Accused was a very fine singer and had been instrumental in raising much money for patriotic, funds. That work had cost him much money <of his own. He asked the Court-for leniency for accussed. Mr A. W. Brown, for the Crown, said that the Crown had no objection to his Honour taking into account the additional offences to which the accused had confessed. The thefts, made when in a position of trust, and representing more than £9OO in all, clearly disentitled the accused to probation, and in.fact it would be improper to grant probation, said his Honour, imposing sentence.