Forgery admitted

Press, 26 July 1978, Page 6

Forgery admitted

A lance-corporal charged with theft of money from a private and with forgery while serving with the Ist Royal New Zealand Infantry Regiment in Singapore, appeared before an Army court martial at the Bumham Military Camp yesterday. William David Peachey pleaded guilty to the charge of forgery, which is an offence under civil jurisdiction, but not guilty to the charge of theft, which is subject to military law. The offences are alleged to have occurred in Singapore in 1977, when the accused was a member of the Regimental Police. It is alleged that Peachey took sSinglooo

from the guardhouse, where the private had left it for safe-keeping, and forged the private’s signature in a receipt book. The prosecution contends that Peachey had told the soldier, when he arrived to collect his money the next day, that he had already collected it the previous evening when drunk.

The court martial, before Major V. J. Whyman (president), Major R. R. Ottaway, and Captain S. G. Heaton, will continue today. The Judge Advocate is Mr G. S. Brockett, the prosecutor is Mr N, W. Williamson, and the defence counsel is Mr G. T. Mahon, assisted by Major G. J. Crowley.