All Black admits theft

Press, 20 July 1977, Page 4

All Black admits theft

A former All Black and Canterbury rugbv representa-' five, Ross Mervyn Smith, pleaded guilts to stealing a total of 521)22 from his employers when he appeared in l the’ Magistrate’s Court at Nelson yesterday. Smith, aged 49, a processor, pleaded guiltv to stealing, on four separate occasions between Januarx 1, 1976, and October 20, 1976, sums of $1254, $426. $213. and sl2'' from the Waimea Growers’ Co-operative. He was convicted bv Mr ! K. H. J. Headifen, S.M.. and remanded on bail to Juiv 25 for a probation officer’s report and sentence. Sergeant J. S. Paterson said that Smith was appointed manager of the company, a fruit-packmg and ; processing factory, in Octo-’ her. 1975. He was authorised to sign cheques on behalf of the companv. He had made out a cheque' for $1254 in January, 1976, ascribing the cheque as a payment to Sealord Products., On August 23. 1976, and on two occas ons on October 20, 1976, three other cheques: for $426. $21.3. aad $129 were drawn bv Smith, and were ascribed as paytu. .us for

various pieces of equipment required for a new processing system. All moneys were used bv him for his own purposes. Sergeant I’aterson sought restitution of 52022.