THEFT AND RECEIVING

Press, Volume C, Issue 29436, 11 February 1961, Page 14

THEFT AND RECEIVING

Fines Of £BlO Imposed

(N-Z. Press Association) WELLINGTON, Feb. 10. Fines totalling £BlO were imposed by Mr Justice McGregor in the Supreme Court at Wellington today when Frederick Ernest Bognuda, aged 59. a company director, appeared for sentence. Bognuda was found guilty by a jury last week on eight charges of theft of sand and seven charges of receiving stolen sand. Two further charges of theft and two of receiving, on which the jury was unable to agree, were withdrawn. The theft charges were jointly preferred against Bognuda and F. and J. Bognuda, Ltd. The receiving charges were against Bognuda and Bognuda, Adams, and Bly th Sand and Gravel Supplies, Ltd. Imposing sentence, his Honour said he had given very serious consideration to the penalty. Bognuda had an unblemished record, and had by his own industry created a substantial and successful organisation. However, his success and business experience should have placed him in the position where he did not have to stoop to such practices. His Honour added that it was only because of Bognuda’s age and state of health that he was not imposing a prison sentence.

Bognuda was fined £5O on each of the theft charges, and the company was fined £25, on each of the theft charges and on each of the seven joint charges of receiving Bognuda and the other company were fined £3O.