TWO CHARGES OF FORGERY

Press, Volume LXXXVIII, Issue 26671, 4 March 1952, Page 5

TWO CHARGES OF FORGERY

MAN COMMITTED FOR TRIAL

Douglas Hesse, aged 29, a salesman, pleaded not guilty in the Magistrate’s Court yesterday to two charges of forgery. Mr Raymond Ferner, S.M., committed him to the Supreme Court for trial and allowed him bail in his own recognisance of £lOO and two sureties each of £lOO, conditional on his reporting daily to the police. Detective-Sergeant G. W. Alty prosecuted, and Mr B. McClelland appeared for Hesse. The charges against Hesse were that on January 30 and February 1, 1952, with intent that they be acted on as genuine, he made false documents by signing the name W. J. Jardine to agreements to hire a rental vehicle from A. C. Rhodes, thereby committing forgery. William John Jardine, a building contractor, said that he had known Hesse for 15 years. Towards the end of January last Hesse asked to borrow his motor driver’s licence so that he could hire a rental vehicle. “I don’t know much .about hiring rental cars,” said Jardine." He had not given Hesse permission to sign his name on any document. John McFarland Mitchell, an accountant, employed by A. C. Rhodes, said that on January 30 Hesse approached him and asked to hire a rental car. When asked for his driving licence he produced one in the name of W. J. Jardine. An agreement to hire a motor vehicle was drawn up and signed the name W. J. Jardine in Mitchell's presence. After signing the form he was supplied with a motor-car. On February 1 Hesse returned to the garage and after he had signed another agreement form with the name of W. J. Jardine he was again supplied with the same vehicle for a further period, after which it was returned to the garage. In reply to Mr McClelland, witness said that Hesse had paid all that was required of him, including payment for some slight repairs necessary to the car when it was returned the second time.

Acting-Detective G. A. Brewer said that on February 5 he interviewed Hesse, who made a statement saying he had no authority to sign the name W. J. Jardine or to use the driving licence. He said he had hired the vehicle to go into the country to sell suiting and similar materials, known in police parlance as “shoddy drbpping.” His explanation was that he had found the licence in the name of W. J, Jardine in Cashel street. Hesse said he did not know a man by the name of W. J. Jardine. Witness said that Hesse was then arrested and charged.