Sentence For False Pretences Reduced

Press, Volume CIX, Issue 31908, 8 February 1969, Page 42

Sentence For False Pretences Reduced

(New Zealand Press Association) WELLINGTON, February 7. The Court of Appeal today heard and upheld in part an appeal by William Te Horo, who was convicted on 32 charges of false presences and sentenced by the Chief Justice, Sir Richard Wild, to three years imprisonment on December 18,1968.

The appellant was represented by Mr M. A. Bungay and Mr J. Rabone appeared for the Crown. The Court comprised Mr Justice North, Mr Justice Turner, and Mr Justice McCarthy. Mr Bungay referred to his client’s earlier good record and to the fact that the total amount of money obtained by false pretences amounted to only $683.'

The offences were committed in the short period of six weeks with no attempt by the appellant to conceal his identity. In such circumstances, Mr Bungay submitted, the sentence imposed by the Chief Justice was too severe, Giving judgment, Mr Justice North noted that the Court did not dissent from the view of the Chief Justice that the business community must be protected from such offences. But in the present case the Court found it difficult to justify a sentence of three years imprisonment. The Court considered it more realistic to order the appellant to repay the full debt and reduce his sentence. The Court accordingly quashed the conviction and substituted a sentence of 11 months imprisonment followed by release on probation for one year with the condition that the appellant be ordered to pay $lO per week- in satisfaction of his' debt.