ACCOUNTANT GAOLED

Press, Volume C, Issue 29672, 16 November 1961, Page 13

ACCOUNTANT GAOLED

Thefts From Employers

(N.X. Press ztssn—Copyright) MELBOURNE, November 15. A 27-year-old accountant Who Stole £15,465 from his employers was sentenced to seven years’ gaoi by Judge Stafford in Melbourne Generail Seestons yeOterdag. William George MeKetnan, of Gienroy suburb, had pleaded guilty of 23 charges of embezzlement and four charges of larcefty as a servant of G. H. Reid and Sons Pty., Ltd., Coburg, between March, 1960. and Match, 1961. He was ordered to serve three years before being eligible for parole. Judge Stafford said McKernan, a noh-drlnker and non-smoker, claimed he could not account for £9OOO of the money he had stolen. When McKernan appeared before the Judge on August 22, the Court was told of admissions by McKernan to police of lavish spending on two motor-cars, a boat and a trailer, and of alleged big loan* and gifts of money to friends end gifts of jewellery to women. McKernan admitted he had cards printed showing his name as a barrister and solicitor. McKernan stole the money by manipulating cheques while receiving and paying out money for the firm, and drawing the payroll for employees.