BANK MANAGER’S THEFT

Press, Volume LXXXV, Issue 25937, 18 October 1949, Page 6

BANK MANAGER’S THEFT

4 SUPREME COURT SENTENCE IMPRISONMENT WITH HARD LABOUR (New Zealana Press Association.) DUNEDIN. October 17. I Alfred Thomas, aged 53, former j manager of the Dunedin Savings Bank, appeared before Mr Justice Kennedy in the Supreme Court this i morning and was sentenced to three .years’ imprisonment with hard labour, the terms to be concurrent, on each iof three charges of stealing money amounting to £7600. from the bank. | Thomas pleaded guilty to the charges when he appeared in the Magistrate’s i Court earlier this month.

It was difficult to find an excuse or reason for Thomas’s actions, said Mr D. A. Solomon, who appeared for him. Thomas had always been held in the highest esteem in the city and had always carried out civic duties to a much greater extent than the average citizen.

Thomas had always shown a deep interest in returned servicemen and a keen desire to help them. Mr Solomon continued. It was found in 1947 that £l9OO was missing from the bank, but this had been repaid and no further steps taken in the matter. Last June it was found that the deficiencies were much greater and the bank had prosecuted. In view of the accused’s otherwise good record and state of health. Mr Solomon asked for the greatest possible leniency, suggesting a term of reformative detention rather than imprisonment. Sentencing Thomas, his Honour said the thefts had extended over a period of 10 yea v s and had been concealed and made possible by continued falsification of the records.