FRAUD CHARGES AGAINST COUPLE

Press, Volume CX, Issue 32382, 22 August 1970, Page 44

FRAUD CHARGES AGAINST COUPLE

(New Zealand Preet Association) WELLINGTON, August 21. Counsel for a man and his wife who were charged with a number of false pretences and other offences told the Magistrate’s Court today that the man had swallowed razor blades and attempted to cut his wrists while in prison.

Mr G. W. Alderdice was appearing before Mr M. B. Scully, SM., as counsel for Louis Leslie John Harrison, a 32 - year - ole unemployed painter, and Gloria Joyce Harrison, 26, housewife, who were jointly charged with a number of offences involving false cheques and obtaining credit by fraud. The Magistrate sentenced

the couple on some of the charges and remanded them until Monday for sentence on fresh charges. Pleas of guilty were entered to all charges. Mr Alderdice said that yesterday the husband had tried to cut his wrists while at Wellington Prison and had swallowed six razor blades. The Magistrate sentenced him to 18 months in prison on 15 charges of false pretences. On one charge of obtaining credit by fraud he was sentenced to six months imprisonment concurrent On one much each of intending to defraud and theft he was convicted and discharged.

Mr Alderdice said Mrs Harrison had not been fully aware of her husband’s background. It had been a shock to her when she had learnt that her husband had paid for

their wedding with a false cheque. She • had been led into the offences by her husband.

On all charges the Magistrate sentenced her to an 18-month term of probation. The Magistrate ordered that the husband take such psychiatric treatment as necessary when he was in prison.