FORGERY CHARGES

Press, Volume LXXIX, Issue 23947, 14 May 1943, Page 6

FORGERY CHARGES

SOLDIER FOUND GUILTY *P.A.) DUNEDIN, May 13. In the Supreme Court this morning She first of the Army acquittance cases was heard, when John Gavin Mclntyre, a soldier, was put on trial on two charges of forgery by affixing false signatures to Army acquittance rolls. He pleaded not guilty. The Crown Prosecutor, Mr Adams, said the charges arose from arrangements for payment to persons assisting casually in the work of medically examining recruits when the Army found it was impossible to perform the task with the existing staff. Accused had allegedly admitted signing false signatures to 51 acquittance rolls. Colonel Jeffery, a fortress commander, was the first witness, and under cross-examination said forgeries and thefts had taken place before 1941. Accused in evidence said he had been assured by the clerk in charge of the pay that in signing names other than his own everything was all right and above-board. He had not disguised his writing, and had received no money except what he would have been entitled to had he been a civilian instead of a soldier. Accused was found guilty on all charges and remanded for sentence.